The Widow's Mite

I have been lax in keeping up with my posts but sometimes I just burst with a  story I must tell, ASAP!!

I love many things about Christmas, lights, music, food, family, and giving.  

Giving brings me so much joy.  A great day for me is spoiling someone else in some way.  

Since October 1st I have been trying to raise money for my Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee expenses.  My husband along with my close friends use every opportunity to help me by getting the word out that I need support.  But let me tell you, it's not easy and asking people for money is difficult. 

This brings me to my special little Christmas story.  

My husband drives a van to transport elderly, disabled or just those with state insurance to their appointments.  One man, we'll call Joshua, has been riding with Glen for about 10 years.  Joshua and his mother don't have much at all and last year we had the great blessing of helping provide a Christmas Tree and decorations for them along with some food.  

Just before Christmas, he had a Doctor's appointment where I work.  When he came to check in, he talked about how happy he was to hear about my reward, (meaning Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee).  The nurse came to put him in a room but first, he came to my door and held out his fist.  Clearly, he had something in it.  Having raised boys, I'm always leery of a closed fist.  It could be a frog, after all. 

But I cupped my hands under his as he dropped every cent he had into it and said, "Here, I know it's not much but I want you to use it to help you get to Arkansas so you can get the big reward." (Ms. Wheelchair American). This was everything this young man had. EVERYTHING and he gave it to me.  It might as well have been a million dollars because that's how I felt.  Tears welled up in my eyes, not wanting to take it but I knew I had too.  I treated this fifty cents with all the respect, if not more than I would one from a major company.  Glen delivered a personal thank you note to him the next day along with food.  

This story reminds me so much of the story of the Widow's Mite in Mark 12.

Many people were putting in offerings at the temple. A poor widow put in a few cents.  Jesus told his disciples that this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything. 

Her heart was in the right place and so was Joshua's.  If he only knew how many lives he has now touched and will continue to touch with his fifty cents. 

 

Play Me Some Country Music

This month has been really busy.  So many exciting things happening.  First of all, I had my very first SPARC board meeting.  I was so honored, thrilled, excited and everything in between to be asked to serve on this board. 
This organization has given me so much and if serving on the board is a way to give back to them, I'm all for it. 
SPARC provides adaptive sports for people with disabilities.  Things you thought you would never do, you now can. 

Next was our Fundraiser to raise money for my registration into Ms. Wheelchair America.  It was a fantastic night.  We had a great turnout and so many volunteers to pull it off.  There was a full band that spent many hours practicing for this event and they even let me sing with them.  The ladies at my church provided the food and operated the concessions stand.  Our local community center provided the place and did all the publicity.  A girl could not have asked for more.  I literally, had to just show up.  It was a big success.

The next day Liberty, Junior Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee, and I braved a very cold morning to be in the Christmas Parade in Chattanooga at the mall.  The sun was shining so that was a big plus.  I have to say that seeing all those little kids smiling and waving at you and in anticipation of seeing Santa, who wasn't far behind us, made it all worth it.  

There were a few other titleholders in the parade so we managed to get together for a picture. 

Follow the Frog

I attended two special events last week.  The first one was the Tennessee Government School to Work Transition night at Rhea County High School.
My friend Ladonna and I were representing our employer, Rhea Medical Center.  She works in Human Resources, so she was the perfect person to attend this function with me.

This is a very informative night for students with disabilities and their families.  Several colleges and organizations were there plus the Marine and National Guard recruiters.

There was a detailed presentation on how to access the Tennessee Government website and maneuver through all the resources there to help them apply for assistance in numerous areas.  I was very honored to be a part of it and was hoping to make some Junior Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee connections.

I wish more families had shown up because it was very informative.

Friday was a great day!!!  I left the house about 7AM to be at Superior Vans in Knoxville by 9AM.  They were having an open house tailgate party.  I met so many wonderful people there, from the staff at Superior to the special people who came out for the day.  What a great turnout they had. 

I made some Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee contacts, was on the radio with the morning DJ and met their mascot who wanted to be a Princess too.  I was not kissing him, let's just be clear about that!!

A DATE WITH CITY HALL

For a long time, I have been very frustrated with the downtown area of Dayton.
The curbs are not wheelchair accessible, so for me to visit a store or restaurant on the opposite side of the road from where I'm parked, I have to get in my van and drive around the block and park on the other side.  I can not cross the street at most of the lights. 

So at the very top of my agenda was to meet with the city officials and discuss this problem.   They have made many upgrades to beautify this little town but this had not been addressed. 

The Mayor, City Manager, and their staff were more than happy to meet with me and discuss not only the curbs but anything else that might need to be changed to compensate people in wheelchairs.  Michelle Horton, the City Recorder had already attended a meeting about the specifications.  We will begin to see changes on some of the sidewalks as early as next month.  Market Street, which is our main road through town, won't be addressed till next year because of the budget. The good news is, there is a plan in action. 

If you live in Tennessee and need me to come to your town and meet with your City Officials about accessibility in your city, let me know. 

A Crown Is A Magical Thing

Week two has been very busy.  I have had many calls about possible appearances, interviews, and events.  My calendar for October is a little messy.  If every month is like this one, I will need a clone but I am excited for what lies ahead. 

The highlight of the week was my television interview on Friday with FOX GMA Chattanooga.  Greg Funderburg was a very gracious host and I can see why he was nominated for the Best of the Best Award.  I was not nervous at all and I think the interview went really well.  Of course, when I got back to the car I thought of all those things I should've said but the good news is, I don't regret any of things I did say.  That would be awful!!!  I just wish I didn't have so many wrinkles.  I think I could see every single one.  LOL

Saturday was such a fun day.  I visited a local Apple Orchard and gave out my business cards and crowned many little Princesses.  A girl can spot a sparkly crown from a block away, no matter what their age.  It was like a magnet.  I met people from literally all over the world.  People were so interested and so lovely. 
So a shout out to Wooden's Apple House for letting me hang out for the day and make some fantastic new friends.

Sunday is always my favorite day of the week.  I love worshipping in God's House.  I have a beautiful church family.  They are loving, giving, caring, and compassionate.  You don't have time for me to get started on my Pastor.  I have learned so much from him and he has such a big heart and it's so tender.  He gathered the people of the church around and they prayed for me.  He asked for safety for me as I traveled and health and strength as I carried out this mission that God has set before me.   I am so truly blessed.

Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2019 - The Journey Begins

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So the last time I entered a post in this blog, I had just competed for Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2016.  In that blog, I explained that I felt that the Lord had led me to compete, not to win but to reach out to someone.  I did reach out but more than that, people have reached out to me.  I have a whole new family of members with disabilities and the wonderful people that do everything they can to enrich our lives.

I had said I would not compete again.  In fact, this year I was so honored to be asked to judge.   As the cut off date drew nearer and nearer for women to register, my director and I began praying diligently for applicants.  One night the Lord impressed on my heart that I should compete.  So the next day I turned my application in and here I am, Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2019.  God indeed blesses us even more than we can imagine.

I am so excited to represent the disabled communities of Tennessee.  I will be attending Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 in July in Little Rock, Arkansas.

My platform is to be a resource to those who have found themselves in a wheelchair and the depression that can sometimes follow that.  I want to give them hope in so many ways.  Life in a wheelchair has given me many opportunities in life that I most surely would not have had.  I have met wonderful people that I would not have met.   I have experienced things I would not have experienced.   I am truly blessed.

So I will try and check in with you weekly and let you know how this journey goes.  I have my first television appearance this Friday on GMA Fox Chattanooga.  I have added a few pictures from this week.

I love you all and stay tuned.

Three Truckers in a Diner

 A week after I was in the Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee contest, Glen and I went to Gatlinburg.  On our way home we stopped at one of our favorite little restaurants.  It's called the Dinner Bell and it's right off the interstate.
We were seated in the back room by the window right in front of their old upright piano.  Close to us was a table of three men, who turned out to be truckers.  One of them immediately started talking to me.  He wanted me to play that piano.  I explained that I didn't know how to play but he wouldn't let it go.
I told Glen that if I didn't know better I would say he was hitting on me but who does that right in front of your husband.  Glen laughed and said, "He thinks I'm your dad."
We tried our best to ignore him but not be rude.  We never like to leave our table unattended when we're at a buffet so I went and got my food and then Glen went. The trucker didn't say much while we were all eating till I was coming back from getting my dessert and Glen left to get his.  He stopped me when I went by their table and said, "Aren't you the first runner up in Ms. Wheelchair Tenn?"
I was shocked. My mouth probably hit my lap.  I tried to be cool but my mind is racing. How could he know that?  I asked if he was from Knoxville, thinking sense the winner was from there it could have been in the news.  He explained they were all truckers.  He was from Virginia, one was from New York and one was from Kentucky. He said he saw it on the Internet.  WHAT???  What site could he have been looking at and why.  This just didn't make sense.  Then Mr. Virginia, the flirt, asks for my autograph.  I graciously do that and then the other two decide they had to have one too.  This is just not happening.  I am flattered but terrified all at the same time.   Glen comes back and wonders what's going on.  I tell him I will be right there.  This isn't a big restaurant so everyone in our room heard all that had transpired and were getting quite the kick out of it.
Mr. Virginia explained that they travel 75 often but had never stopped there before.  He said Mr Kentucky actually wasn't a trucker.  "He's only the escort, lights guy."  It was very condescending and I didn't like it so I shook Mr. Kentucky's hand and said, "I am so glad to meet you.  I love the escort, lights guy!"  Mr. Virginia turns to the room of people and says "And that my friends, is why SHE is Ms. Congeniality!"  Everyone laughed and I told them it was nice to meet them and went back to my table.
Glen said, "What was that all about?"
"I'll tell you on the way home.  You're not going to believe it"
The whole incident haunted me the rest of the day. How could they have know? What website were they on and why?  Where is my picture that I don't know about?
I was laying in bed that night still trying to figure it all out.  Someone had to have been in that diner that knew me and told them but didn't speak to me. That had to be it.  WAIT!  Someone in that diner DID know me and he was right across the table and was in my bathroom right now.  So this is how that conversation went.
"Glen, I am going to ask you a question and you're going to tell me the truth.  YOU told those guys when I went to get my food."
"No I didn't"
"Yes you did. That is the only way they could have  known.  You can say no you didn't till your blue in the face but I know you and I know you told them."
Silence......
"OK, here's what happened.  You went to get your food and Virginia said, "That sure is a sweet little lady you got there" and then I proceeded to tell them the news and then Virginia went on his phone and looked it up on the Internet.
So mystery solved.  My husband was so proud of himself for pulling one over on me.  I have to say, he got me good.  What a crazy day!