122 ~ Another Commitment

By Kay Heitsch

While I was still helping Arlene, one morning a week, Nancy was informed about another woman seeking assistance. Nancy called me, and since I was home alone, I decided to go over and meet her.

Nancy let me know that this was going to be a paid job, so when Bea offered $15.00, I figured that was for an hour, as that was the going rate. I was in for a surprise when Bea meant $15.00 a day. But in fact, it was sometimes $15.00 a week of running back and forth.

Nancy asked how it was going, and I told her about the $ 15.00-a-day situation. Nancy immediately told me I should say something. However, I felt that I had said $15.00 was fine, so it was my fault.

Bea and I spent a lot of time together. She would often say she wished I were her daughter. I enjoyed spending time with her. I learned a lot about her life.

Bea never had any children. Her parents came to the USA from another country. Bea had a brother and a sister, whom I met over the years. Bea's husband had died before I met her.

Bea had a vision problem and was unable to drive. For some reason, she kept her old Cadillac, and she insisted I drive it whenever we went anywhere. I'll share a story later about being rear-ended at a stoplight. Wow!

I drove Bea all over. She liked to shop at Meijer, so I got online and made sure she got all her coupons. I had coupons to eat lunch, so in reality, I saved her over $15.00 a week. I got a kick out of it.

Life with Bea was, to say the least, interesting. I never mentioned anything to Bea about the $15.00 despite helping her for six years.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

121 ~ I Learned To Adjust

By Kay Heitsch

Actually, I should have been used to Bill being gone. We had moved many times between 4 states. As I mentioned, Todd had attended eight different schools when we moved to Dover, where he was in the 7th grade. However, this time all the kids were gone.

One night, I was on FB and somehow mentioned being alone. A friend who knew nothing about what was going on gently reminded me that I was never alone because the Lord was with me. Sometimes people have no idea what their gentle words can mean to another person.

I found myself staying very busy. I enjoyed doing all the yard work and shoveling snow in the winter with Little Red. As some of you may remember, my pictures were taken during the worst winter we had in many years in Michigan. I wore out a few Little RED shovels.

I won't lie; for the most part, I did enjoy being outside, but at times it was overwhelming because of the tremendous amount of snow. I found myself coming in the house sobbing my eyes out.

You will discover that you can accomplish a lot more than you think if you maintain the right mindset. You sometimes need to talk to yourself to stay positive and keep moving forward when times get rough.

The good Lord brought friends to keep me company. For one, I reconnected with a girl who attended the same school I did on Facebook. We liked the same TV shows and chatted through several in the evening. I loved that!

Life was going to be different. Bill was gone for about 9 years on the road, but it was okay. I learned to adjust with God's help.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

120 ~ I Wasn't Expecting This

By Kay Heitsch

I have experienced some unexpected events in my life, but I was not expecting to hear what Bill had decided to do next for a job.

I don't know how long he had been thinking about this new adventure, but I was only told about it on a Thursday, and he was gone by Monday. Bill had decided he wanted to try over-the-road truck driving.

When Bill told me, I was shocked! For most of our married life, Bill left for work in a suit and tie or a sports coat and tie. I remember saying, "You don't even know how to drive a truck!" He said he knew that, so that's why he was going to go to truck driving school.

Over that weekend, we shopped for all the things he thought he would need for this new job adventure. He said he would be training in another state. I was still on tilt as he packed up. I didn't know what to think.

Monday came, and I drove Bill over to meet his new trainer. I was feeling emotional about this, but the Lord knew this was coming.

It wasn't long after I got home when Dom, a good friend of Todd's and now mine, came for a visit before he headed up north for hunting.

I needed a friend, and the good Lord knew it!

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

119 ~ Can You Help?

By Kay Heitsch

I wasn't used to being at home, so it wasn't too long before I was ready to get out again.

My friend, Nancy, sells Avon, and she knows a lot of people. Somehow, Nancy heard of an older lady who needed a little help. Nancy did work like this, but she didn't have time to do any more, so she called to see if I could help Arlene.

Arlene was a spunky little lady. She lived in an apartment close to our home. Her family did live in town, but Arlene was independent. She preferred to handle her own affairs.

Once a week, I would go over and pick Arlene up and take her to the grocery store. Sometimes she would walk around the store, but other times she would sit, and I would shop. If I had a question, I could always ask her if this was what she wanted. Two things Arlene always bought were fresh flowers and Port wine.

Arlene's family had moved her to our area. However, she was from a little town up north. Every so often, we would take a trip north and meet up with her old friends. It was interesting because Arlene was the oldest of her friends, so I'm sure everyone thought this would be the last time they saw her. Wouldn't you know, she outlived everyone except one person.

Arlene moved to a new apartment. I tried to help her do some cleaning because her eyesight was not good. I would tell her that the throw rugs were dangerous, given her failing eyesight. She always agreed, and I would put them away. But when I came back, the throw rugs were back down.

After much encouragement from Arlene's family and me, she finally got a Life Alert button. Wouldn't you know, she did fall, and she activated the Life Alert button.

Arlene ended up in a nursing home. I would visit her, do her hair, and spend time with her. She was in a wheelchair, so I'd take her outside, and we even went to Goodwill a couple of times.

I had the cell phone numbers of her friends I had met. I would call them, and Arlene could chat for a while. Arlene's mind was pretty sharp until the end. She died at the ripe old age of 99.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

118 ~ Maybe Todd Knew More

By Kay Heitsch

Once I had given Todd entirely over to the Lord, I experienced a profound sense of peace.

Well-meaning people ask a lot of questions I couldn't answer. Questions like, Was Todd saved? Etc.

I knew that you can't give away something you don't have. I did not have a relationship with the Lord, so how could I tell Todd about something I knew nothing about?

It was odd, but one day I started thinking back to when we lived in a townhouse when Todd was around 5 or 6 years old. There was a motel close by that had an outdoor pool. The people who owned it had a little girl of Todd's age. They invited us to come and swim at the pool anytime.

One day, when I was watching Todd swim, the mother came over and asked if Todd could attend a "Good News Club" she was hosting. I had never heard of a Good News Club, but it sounded like a good idea to me. So of course, I said yes.

Then I thought about how I had shared quotes from Dr. Peale's books with Todd. I thought it was strange of me, but I always put "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" at the bottom of the pages.

I had an old Bible, and at one time. I told Todd to read 1 Corinthians 13. I thought that was nice. Maybe he read more.

Now, maybe Todd knew a lot more than I thought he did about the Lord.

I find it interesting that God waited until I put my complete trust in Him with Todd before these two things came to my mind.

I've learned a lot on my journey of triumph through tragedy. I have a long way to go, but I'm still moving forward.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

117 ~ I Learned To Say No

By Kay Heitsch

After saying to the Lord that I wanted to be used by Him, I found myself saying 'yes' more times than I should have. Well, maybe saying 'yes' when I should have said 'no' was also part of God's plan, as it taught me valuable lessons.

That all being said, after "L" had died, I was asked to help other people who had mental health issues. I knew staying with "L" was a job God had for me. I fulfilled my commitment to the family, even though it was much longer than I expected. I had overcome my fear, but I also knew it was time for me to move on. I firmly declined the requests.

I had been asked to do a job at a church that sounded like a great opportunity and was undoubtedly something I could do. However, I found myself telling the person asking me that I would go home and pray about it. Perhaps this job was not meant for me, but it was meant for someone else. Sometimes we think that if we don't do it, no one else will. The position was filled, and it wasn't by me.

Working God's plans for our lives can be tricky at times. Many times, we miss opportunities if we don't step out; that's true. I've often said to myself. Step out and find out.

But there are times people will take advantage of our willingness to help. We need to know when we are helping or when we are being taken advantage of, too. There is a big difference. Saying no can be the best thing for the other party and yourself.

I took a much-needed break after "L" died, but shortly after, I was asked to help a few more people, which I said yes to.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2 

116 ~ Where's Todd

By Kay Heitsch

My reason for buying a Bible in the first place was to find out where Todd was. I knew he was not in the cold, hard body I lovingly touched in the funeral home.

I went out to the accident site and saw and touched his blood on the tree he hit. I was told that Todd died instantly, so he felt no pain. This gave me some comfort.

But I also drove out to this accident site many times and somehow knew this was where Todd left this earth. I was never taught anything like this. I had never heard anyone talk like this either.

I wanted to know the truth! And prayed every day as I studied the Bible. I learned so much before I ever found the verses to tell me where Todd was.

I bought colored markers and pencils and highlighted what I was learning that was helping me. First, I learned not to be afraid. I was scared of what I might learn, believe it or not. As I studied, I learned not to worry. I discovered God loved me unconditionally. I also learned to put my trust in Him.

I still hadn't found what I was looking for, but somehow I had decided that I would put my complete trust in God. I knew He loved me and Todd.

Then it happened, I started to find verses that helped me understand where Todd was. This was one. "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV After finding this verse, I found several others.

When I think back, I believe God used my curiosity to know where Todd was to show me His love and His way of living the abundant life that Jesus died to give me. I knew I could trust the loving God, even if I had never found these verses.

Yes, I believe when I sat out in the van on that cold, dreary day, looking up to the sky, I knew God had taken my boy home!

Todd's death was a tragedy, but God has brought triumph out of it!

I will always remember how God has led me on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2