The Storyteller

Since I was a little girl, I've always loved hearing a good story; however, a story is often only as interesting as the person telling it.  I remember my grandmother telling stories of her youth, as we were snuggled up in her bed, atop feather pillows and beneath cozy quilts.  I remember my father telling me horror stories of three-headed dogs coming across foggy bridges in the countryside, while I trembled with some fear, amid giggles in his big recliner.  I remember my own children begging for me to do "voices," as I read beloved tales and invented sagas when they were young.  We all loved to be entertained by a good story.

I've never heard someone tell life stories quite like my dear friend, Joan Van Hooser.  I met Joan at a particularly challenging time in my life several years ago.  Her evident love for God; for others; and for her family radiates from her like a sunbeam.  She can lift an oppressed soul simply by her smile.  She can give you strength simply by wrapping her arms around you.  She can take you to another place and time by her storytelling.

Joan, with her beloved husband, David

 I remember one particular day when we were teaching in the middle school building together, that we both had some free time.  We sat in her very welcoming office, and she lovingly told me about her grandmother.  Her eyes danced, and her excitement grew, as she recalled wonderful times with a lady who meant so much to her.  One year Joan gave all of the teachers a "prism" for Christmas, and of course, Joan had a story about it!  I think of Joan every year when I hang it on my Christmas tree.  Light glistens off of that prism, just like life glistens off of Joan.

Joan's laughter is contagious.  Her spirit is encouraging.  She loves life, and she lives every minute of it to the fullest.  That is her on-going story every day--to take the day that God has given us, and live it; use it; love it.

Joan's story over the past weeks and months has changed.  It is a story that she would not have planned, or necessary wanted to tell.  After being diagnosed with an incurable cancer, Joan's story is still inspiring throngs of people through her upbeat posts and notes on social media.  Joan's smile is still radiating that story through the pain, as experimental drug therapies wreak havoc on her physical body.  Joan's love and zest for life is still evident, and her story still has the "hold you on the edge of your seat" enthrallment that we all so well know Joan to have!

So today, I salute my sweet friend, Joan.  I thank her for the wonderful friendship that we have.  I thank God for bringing her into my life, and in that, I guess I have to thank him for the hardship that brought us together all those years ago.  I pray for God to just heal Joan, if that is His will.  And I know He will--either in this life or the next.  Joan's story is lived out daily for God's glory.  We all need to strive to be a storyteller, and Joan surely is a role model for us to follow!

I Hope You Dance, Meredith!

Today's blog post is dedicated to a wonderful, beautiful young lady, Meredith Martin.  I met Meredith a little over a year ago, and she has deeply blessed my life.  Meredith is a smart, witty, charismatic woman, and you fall in love with her the moment that you meet her!  Her smile and zest for life is contagious!

Today begins an exciting new journey for Meredith, as she moves to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for graduate school at her beloved University of Alabama.  (Roll Tide!)  I can only imagine her anxiousness, nervousness, and bubbling-over-the-top enthusiasm, as she and her parents head south on I-65 this morning.  Prayers with Gary and Leah as they leave their baby girl in her new home, and prayers for her sweet sister, Chelsea, who is going to have part of herself missing, with Meredith gone. 

But life is a dance, and we learn as we go.  Waltzes end, and tangos begin.  One of my favorite songs, is by country singer, Lee Ann Womack.  Meredith -- I hope you dance.  I KNOW you will dance, and what a beautiful dance your life is going to be!  I love you, baby girl! 

"I Hope You Dance"

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance..
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)