Tissue alert..... my friend Cathy Plump Seehuetter shared this story with us this morning.. I have to share this story that set the tone for the rest of the day ~ it is a touching and feel-good story, and reminds us of the impact we can make inadvertently - even save a life. It was written by the daughter of a TCF friend of mine; something that happened while she and her children were fishing and she posted it today. It is especially meaningful to a bereaved parent and a sibling...I hope you will take a couple of minutes to read: Meet patty. We just did today. Her life was saved tonight!... She nearly drowned in despair. Who wouldve known this connection would correlate to saving a life? As usual, my childrens rewards are not honored by video games, or lavish trips to the mall. Simply, by being alone with nature, or in a peaceful spot, as a family. Tonight, the Reward...fishing. Typically we go...we fish, we leave. Non the less, with memories. Tonight, we met patty. Im compelled to share this story in hopes you see how important each little thing we do is, and how each and every life can touched by choosing not to sit still. We pulled up. worms in hand... Jordan, as always, eager, runs to the water. Never minding that the woman who you see in the picture was alone, and peaceful. (Or so it seemed) There she sat. As a mom, my first gut reaction was too close, dont talk to strangers, and move over Jordan... Fearing I havent reared my kids boundaries ... but luckily, tonight he did things his own way. He immediately began conversation with this stranger. Inquired about her lures, tangled lines many a times, gave her advice and caught 3 times as many minnow sized fish as she did. I just sat and listened.... She was solemn and quiet, yet friendly and curious as can be! Patty seemed to smile inside. I soon found out why. I warned Jordan, the fishing expert, of his impending doom! Jordan less than 5 minutes, before we need to go home! I reminded him. She (patty) put her pole down, walked over to me, and said Im not sure why you brought your kids here, Im not sure if its right...but thank you! I naturally looked inquisitively back at her and said youre welcome...(I think?!) she wrapped her arms around me, to hug my confused body. Verbally, She continued. I havent fished in 20 years. Today marks 20 years since I lost my 17 year old son I stood speechless! She proceeded with Ive been here all day, sitting by this water, trying to decide if life was worth it anymore! Tears fell from my face! Your son looks just like my boy did as a young child... Theres a reason you came. A reason your blonde boy dug through my tackle box, and a reason I met you all Im not sure I had the right words... But we spoke for over an hour about life. We exchanged numbers, and planned our next fishing adventure! Touched upon moving forward, Purpose and finding strength in tragedy. Were not Angels, we dont even resemble counsel... But we are people NOT sitting still. Parents teaching compassion, and children living it out! How would ones life be different if you offered them something they didnt know they needed? Would a smile be found in someone, if they thought it was lost in death? Would meaning and purpose be defined simply by extending hope? Many pattys are alone fishing, and just as many waiting to be netted in the grip of peace and love WE CAN offer them.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 18:32:30 +0000
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