Last April, I went to our churches Women’s Retreat. I had only been going to our Church for about six weeks and didn’t know too many people, but this one lady decided that she was going to be my friend. Since our cabin (room) only had three of us, and we all worked with kids with Special Needs (or me … being the mom of a Special Needs Kid), she moved in with us that first afternoon. What a joy she was! We spent many hours chatting about how to teach a certain concept to Special Kids and asked if I had I tried this or that with Ian. She even offered to come up to the house and evaluate Ian for me - which I readily accepted!
Some of the time we talked about her and what she had been through - my, what a lot of life for one only a little older than I. Wrought with so much pain – both physical and emotional, yet her resolve to show the joy of the Lord was ever so evident. Not one to wallow in self pity, she was up and around – even if it meant using an electric wheel chair or a walking cane.
At church, the Special Needs kids all gather around her electric wheel chair, all wanting have her look at something they had made or listen to something that they had done. She always made each of them feel so special, allowing them to be who they truly are and not expecting or demanding anything different. For normal kids, that’s really neat; for Special Needs kids that’s fairly unheard of!
Then, after one Heart to Heart (our Church Special Needs Group) meetings, she pulled Dave and I down a little hallway and told us that she had cancer. The doctors had given her about six months – but she said that she was gonna make it to the next Women’s Retreat where we could be roomies again! Then she disappeared for about six months. I called and got a disconnect notice. Emails went unanswered … and I was sad. I felt I had lost my friend.
Then out of the blue, last week we saw her at church – walking without her chair or even her cane! She was back – bubbly as ever. Asking how we were and listening – really listening to what was happening. Crying, laughing and loving in her usual way! We told her about Tori and she promised to pray and then wrapped Tori in a huge hug. She told Tori that she would get her a quilt from the Quilting ladies of our church, something that gave her comfort when she was in the hospital. She called us Monday night to find out how Tori was and let us know that she was praying for us and that she had gotten Tori her quilt. Tori was so excited and so touched that someone would care so much about her. Tori made her a special beaded friendship bracelet to give to her on the next Sunday.
On the next Sunday, we heard the news: our dear friend, Pam Bunney is in heaven now. Her body had given out, but her spirit never did. She encouraged and loved whoever, where ever she was. She left her mark on me and my family’s life. One of love, acceptance and understanding.
What kind of mark are you leaving on those around you? No matter who you are or what you do, you will leave a mark on those around you. Good or bad, cheerful or whinny, loving or hateful. What will it be?
(orignailly published 02-08)