9/11

I awoke this morning with the immediate knowledge that today was 9/11. I began praying for those families and friends who lost loved ones through the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. I also prayed for those who were injured both physcially and emotionally because of the actions of the terrorists.

I have always heard people say that they will never forget where they were when they heard about the Kennedy assasination. I never understood that until 9/11. I will never forget the events of that day and how they unfolded before America's eyes. I so clearly remember sitting at my desk at Townsend's, calculating chicken sales, and hearing my boss, Larry Reid, talk on the phone with a growing sense of urgency. When he called me into his office to tell me what was being reported I couldn't believe it. Then Mark called and then I called my parents and my sister. I just needed to hear their voices. Most of the employee's at Townsend's spent the day in the breakroom watching the news. I saw the 2nd plane crash and the towers collapse and my heart broke. I couldn't imagine what those people were dealing with. Then we began to hear reports that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon and that another had crashed in a field in Pennsylvania prior to reaching the White House or Capitol building. As the days progressed I remember being so excited when a person was found alive and pulled from the rubble. Heroes and stories emerged from those events that are still amazing to me today. As people worked night and day to rescue survivors it finally became evident to America that no one else would be found alive. But the people continued to look for their fellow Americans so they could receive a proper burial and bring some kind of closure to their families.

Last summer I took a trip with 3 of my friends to New York City. The trip was planned around a desire to see the Yankee's play in Yankee stadium before it was torn down. But we all knew and understood that the trip would not be complete without visiting Ground Zero. Our last day in New York we made our way to where the Twin Towers once stood. As we walked into that area all talking stopped. We had been walking quickly through the rain/drizzle for some time but suddenly everything began to move in slow motion. I was overwhelmed by the vast emptiness that once had held so much life. My tears could not be contained. As we looked at the wall that listed every person who died there from those events, my tears continued. It was and is so hard to believe that people intentionally committed those acts on innocent people.

Next Thursday I am headed to D.C. with my family. I hope that one of the many places we are able to visit will be the memorial at the Pentagon. I am certain that I will experience profound grief there as well.

Today I am more grateful than ever for those who choose to serve America and daily put their lives on the line to protect and save us. Today, I remember all the events of that day. Today, I pray for all affected by those events. Today, I know that I will never forget.

"So Long For Now . . . "

One of my favorite Atlanta Braves has died. No, he wasn't a player but he certainly knew all the players and taught me a lot of what I now know about the players and, along with my dad, fostered my love of Atlanta Braves baseball. My dad introduced me to him in the early 80's when I became a Braves fan. He is a legend with the Atlanta Braves and has already been inducted into their Hall of Fame. His name is Skip Caray, son of Harry Caray (famous announcer for the Chicago Cubs).

Skip began broadcasting for the Braves in 1976 and remained with them until his death this past Sunday (August 3, 2008). He could call a game unlike anyone else I've ever heard. The excitement in his voice certainly showed his love and passion for not only the game of baseball but for the Braves as well. He was as big of a fan as anyone. I loved hearing the insight he would give and the bantering back and forth between he and fellow announcers Ernie Johnson, Pete Van Wieren, Joe Simpson, and eventually Don Sutton. They were amazing together.

Today I went to the Braves website and watched clips of several amazing and exciting times in Atlanta Braves history. Skip Caray was announcing all of them and his voice just added to the excitement. As I watched Otis Nixon climb the wall and steal that homerun, Sid Bream run his heart out to get home and clinch the NL title, and then see Mark Wohlers pitch the final out to win the World Series in 95 - the level of excitement rose due to the announcing skills and heart of Skip Caray.

This season has been an incredibly disappointing one for Braves fans and I'm sure for Braves players as well. Constant and numerous injuries have plagued the team and consistency has always been just out of reach. But with the death of Skip, one has to wonder what else could happen to the team this year? Even with the disappointing season, Skip, along with the other announcers, while always providing honest commentary, also kept the hope alive that things would turn around. I know that Skip believed that. He was a TRUE fan. I'm not sure how it works with other teams, but with the Braves their announcers actually travel with the team. Though Skip wasn't traveling this year due to only announcing home games (because of health reasons), he knew the players and coaches on a personal level. Skip will be missed by the announcers, the players and coaches, and the baseball world in general. He will also be missed by the fans who have enjoyed listening to him for the past 32+ years. I was in 8th grade when I really started getting into baseball. I grew up listening to Skip - and I will definitely miss listening to him announce on tv and radio. As my dad reminded me this morning, Skip always ended his broadcast with "So long for now."

Skip Caray - you will be missed and "so long for now."

Asheboro - Still Dry . . . .

I grew up in Asheboro, North Carolina. Though I currently live in Lillington and call it home, I still consider Asheboro my home too. My parents still live there; so I visit frequently.

I enjoyed growing up in Asheboro. It was a small city but we were close enough to Greensboro that we could be to a good shopping mall or restaurant in 30 minutes or so. As long as I've been alive, Asheboro has always been a "dry" city - meaning businesses can not sell alcohol within the city limits. Today, Asheboro is the largest dry city in the state.

I grew up in a family where alcohol just was not an issue. No one drank - so it was never around. I knew the damage it could do and I honestly never had the desire to drink. Now, I do not think that drinking alcohol in and of itself is wrong. It is the excessiveness of it that makes it wrong. People tend to lose control when they are under the influence of alcohol. Have you ever watched someone get drunk? If you haven't, all you have to do is go to a baseball game and you'll most likely see the process happen before your eyes. People start out fairly normal and with each beer their language becomes more loose and beligerant and their actions become more slurred. This past weekend my entire family was in Atlanta and I promise that the people sitting in front of us had anywhere from 6 - 10 bottles of beer a piece. By the time the game was over they were completely wasted and I all could think about was who was driving those people home!

All of this to say - Asheboro is having an Alcohol vote on Tuesday, July 29th. The City Council was split, with 4 votes for and 3 votes against the referendum. They held a Town Council meeting this past Tuesday evening to discuss the matter. They had chairs for 180 people - those chairs were full and there were an additional 100 people standing. According to the show of hands, most of the people were against the vote.

The persons pushing for this vote are trying to say it will help Asheboro economically. Cities all around Asheboro sell alcohol, and have for years, yet I have seen little to no growth in their towns or communities. However, Asheboro has continued to grow, even without the sell of alcohol. I graduated from Asheboro High in 1987 and I can not even begin to list all the changes that have taken place in Asheboro since that time. All without the sell of alcohol. We now have a Chili's and a Rock-Ola's which both do amazingly well and are constantly packed out.

I have no problem with people drinking responsibly. The problem is that too many people do not drink responsibly. I personally do not believe that by bringing alcohol to Asheboro that the situation will be helped. Asheboro already lists one of its greatest health problems as alcohol and drug addiction and yet they want to make it even easier for people to purchase?! I have a close friend who has gotten behind the wheel too many times after drinking excessively. We have had several serious conversations about this. Everytime the news comes on and reports the death of someone because of drunk driving I pray that it is not because of my friend. My heart breaks for the families that have lost loved ones due to the thoughtlessness of someone driving drunk. One of my professor's in the Campbell University Divinity School, lost a daughter, and battled through very severe injuries himself, as a result of a drunk driving accident before lunchtime!
I have read his family's story and my heart broke over and over again at all that he and his wife had to go through.

I do not live in Asheboro any more and thus can not participate in the vote. However, if I did live in Asheboro - I would vote with a resounding NO. If people in Asheboro want alcohol they can drive just about anywhere outside the city limits to purchase it. But once alcohol, as a product to be sold, is in Asheboro - it will probably be there to stay. What will Asheboro gain? More alcoholics. More drunk driving arrests. More deaths and injuries from drunk driving. More families being torn apart. More abusive situations. The list could go on and on. And what if Asheboro grows some economically? Would the economic growth be worth that lost life or destroyed family? I certainly don't think so.

"Big J"

People come into and out of our lives every day. Some of these people make a positive difference in our lives, some a negative difference, and some no difference at all. Likewise, I do the same with the people I come into contact with. I hope and pray that most of the time I'm making a positive impact!

I work in the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at Campbell University where I have direct contact with many of our students. Some of these students I get to know better than others - for various reasons. Many of these students have made a positive impact on my life, and most of the time they're not even aware of it.

Julius Perkins is one of those students. I first met Julius when he was introduced to me as a basketball recruit. I was immediately drawn to him because of his fantastic smile. During the summer of '07 I tutored a group from our men's basketball team in Intro to Christianity. Julius was part of that group. He was a good student and wanted to do well in his classes. That is how I really got to know him.

Throughout the remainder of the summer and the following school year, Julius continued to drop by my office and kept me posted on how he was doing academically. I challenged him to keep up with his classes and to do his best. I know at times, especially during basketball season when they were traveling and practice seemed constant, that it would have been easier for him to just not study. However, Julius persevered and did well in his classes. Every time he stopped by my office, it made my heart smile.

Needless to say, I also enjoyed watching Julius play basketball. (We call him "Big J" when he's on the court.) He plays with an intensity that is evident on his face at all times. He never quits and always gives it his all. But, Julius did not make an impact on my life because he plays basketball. Rather, Julius made an impact on my life because of the type of person he is. I had season tickets to the games, along with my mom and dad. My sister's family did not get season tickets because they weren't sure they could make it to every game. So - Julius put the Blankenship family on his family pass for most of the home games. After every game, win or lose, Julius made sure he spoke to my family, particularly Davis (my 4-year old nephew). In February, Julius, along with Kyle Vejraska (another one of the outstanding young men from the basketball team), came to Fayetteville for Davis' birthday party! I do not know many college students who would give up their Saturday afternoon to attend a 4 year old's birthday party.

I'm writing this today because Julius came by my office this afternoon to tell me goodbye. He is leaving Campbell this Saturday and is returning to Texas. His plans are to play ball closer to home so his family will be able to see him play his senior year. After he left, I was struck with the thought that Julius had brought a lot of laughter and joy to my life and my family's life. Julius is a talented young man - both academically and athletically - and I pray that as he begins this new journey that he will continue to impact people's lives with the joy that radiates from him. I hope that he will come to fully understand the depth of love that Christ has for him. I also hope he leaves Buies Creek knowing that there are people here who believe in him and love him, just for who he is. I'm one of those people!

Update on Abby

So much has gone on since my last post regarding Abby's health. She was scheduled for surgery on her ACL last week but we had to postpone that surgery, indefinitely, due to some other health problems. She developed what the doctors initally thought was something similar to vertigo in humans. Abby could barely stand up, much less walk straight. It took 3 vets to get her out of the car, and they each had to help her walk into the vet.

Well, they started her on meds for that and she pretty much needed to be either sleeping or have someone with her who could help her walk. We've been back to the vet twice since then. Her mobility and stability have gotten much better, however her eyes are continuing to roll back into her head - almost in a complete circle. It makes my head hurt just to watch. They are doing this anywhere from three to five times a minute.

Dr. Samuels is very concerned about the eye movement and some confusion that Abby seems to be exhibiting at various times. He has contacted a neurologist at State and even they are not completely sure what they are dealing with. I think right now the plan is to schedule her for an MRI and a Spinal Tap. Dr. Samuels seems to be leaning towards some sort of mass in her brain. If that's the case, we obviously do not need to do the leg surgery and I just need to figure out how to keep her most comfortable.

I'm trying to prepare myself to make a difficult decision. I cannot imagine life without Abby - but if there is a mass on her brain, I love her too much to watch her suffer. For people who love animals - pets bring a ton of joy into their lives. Abby has brought more joy into my life than I can even explain. I'm so grateful for that!

My "Best Friend"

Abby is her name. She is a little over eight years old, around 100 pounds, and we've been together since she was about 10 weeks old. Abby is a lab/boxer mix and she was free.

Prior to Abby, I had always been more of a Bassett Hound fan. Mark bought me one around our 2nd anniversary. We named her Lu and I loved her so much. She moved with us from Linden to Manteo to Siler City. It was in Siler City, on Christmas Eve, 1999 that she was stolen and we never saw her again.

It was not long after that when we picked Abby out from a litter in Asheboro. About that same time, we also told my family about my husband's addiction and his time in multiple rehabs started. I had lost Lu, my life was in complete chaos, but I had a new puppy to love.

Abby has been with me through some of the darkest days of my life. When I would come home to an empty house, she would be there. While I know she didn't understand, she always listened. She would gently lay her head in my lap and look up at me with those big brown eyes and every so often she would give me a kiss.

Abby has also provided some frustration and anger along the way. She is a Lab and Labs do like to chew. Thank goodness they grow out of it. She should be a very spiritual dog - she ate one of my Bibles! One day I came into my tiny house in Pittsboro to find feathers everywhere. She had totally destroyed my favorite down blanket. When my family moved me back to Buies Creek - we were still finding feathers! She has eaten books, entire loaves of bread, bags of candy, and generally anything that looked or smelled like fun. Now I can laugh about those things, but in the moment they were not quite so funny. Usually she would be sitting in the middle of the evidence trying to look innocent. She also likes wood. Between her, my sister's dog Moose, and my parent's dog Bart, they pretty much destroyed my parent's side porch. My dad has replaced enough rails on that porch to probably build ten new porches. I'm convinced that my parents are saints because they still love Abby.

Currently Abby and I live in a small, one bedroom apartment on a farm in Lillington. She has lots of room to run and we like it there. I love coming home - she's always waiting on me. There's never a time when she's not excited to see me. Her tail wags constantly. We love to take walks and Abby loves to ride in the car with the windows down. She also loves to chase her full-size, chewed up, basketball - a gift from her dear friends, Jeff and April.

Recently, Abby has had a rough few months. At the end of February she had four masses removed from her stomach. They were not malignant. Then Monday night a week ago, she was running and a yelp like I've never heard before came out of her body. She instantly stopped and one of her back legs went limp. I got her to the doctor and it turns out she has a torn ACL. She is scheduled for surgery next Wednesday. Until then, she's on pain meds and I'm trying to keep her calm and comfortable.

I guess I have to realize she's getting older. I know she's just a pet but she is like family to me. I also know the day will come when I will either have to put her to sleep or she will die on her own and when that day comes I will be grateful to God for giving me such a loyal pet and friend. I think God shows his love to us in so many amazing ways. There have been numerous times when life was falling apart and I was crying out to God with tears running down my face and I was so lonely. Abby would walk over and just sit beside me or put her head in my lap and in a way I felt it was God reminding me that I wasn't alone. Thanks Abby!

Open My Eyes

I must admit, sometimes I think I'm a little naive about all that goes on in this world. Today I read an article about teenage runaways and how their numbers are increasing. I knew that there were runaways, but probably, like much of the world, I've not come face to face with it, so it just hasn't affected me. The realization of that fact disturbed me.

This article gave some astounding data and focused in on the National Runaway Switchboard, a 1-800 crisis hotline. In some cases they are able to direct teens to shelters such as Safe Place, a national organization that is mainly sponsored by United Way and private donations. I began to wonder if there was some place in Harnett County for a runaway to go. Now, I have not done extensive research here, however, what I have found is that as far as Safe Places go, they are located in Charlotte, Gastonia, Greensboro, Raleigh, Sanford, and Winston-Salem. I also discovered that in 2007 the National Runaway Switchboard handled 176,609 calls. Of those calls, 4,269 of them were from North Carolina.

For a teen who is fleeing a dangerous home situation and has no place else to go or for the pregnant teenager who's parents have just thrown her out of the house and she lives in Erwin, North Carolina, her options are limited if she does not have transportation. My heart broke as I read the article. No child should have to grow up in a dangerous situation and likewise, no child should lose the love of their family.

I am so blessed to have come from a family that is full of love. I never doubted my parents love for me. Even when I went to my family with my now ex-husband to share with them the life shattering news of his addiction, I watched my family exhibit love and forgiveness towards him that can only come from Christ. I do not know why my sister and I were given such an amazing family, but I am grateful to God everyday that I grew up in a family where love was never withheld and forgiveness and grace was freely given.

I can not imagine what these teenagers must face every day. There's no way I can come close to comprehending what they must feel when they leave home or when they are thrown out of their home, with no other options. These are some of the homeless on our streets. We can not ignore them. I can not ignore them.

Young people in our society need adults who will love them. They need someone to believe in them and to encourage them. I know that I can not correct the problems of the world. But I can make a difference in Bunnlevel. I must open my eyes to the world around me and make sure that I am an instrument of God's love. If Christians, one by one, around the world would do this, it would make a difference. We must find a way to reach those who are on the fringe and those who are already on the streets. As Christians, we must find a way to offer these teens Hope and Love and introduce them to the One who already loves them, just as they are.