Have you ever felt you had some kind of connection with someone but didn't know why or what it was? I started Sylvan Hills Elementary during the 5th grade. I made a best friend that year but in 6th grade I thought I had found 'the one.' lol His name was Paul Dunn. I thought we had alot in common. We were both slim, short and blonde. We differed tho in popularity, he was and I wasn't. I did what I could tho to try to win his heart. Well my first attempt was sharing half of my possessions, a fruit rollup. What doesn't say love like half of a strawberry fruit rollup? Okay, so a bolder attempt was made. We were standing outside on the lil porch of our trailer-housed classroom with each of our best friend's at our sides. I asked Paul, 'Do you wanna kiss?' He was like, 'um, um, I don't know?' I said, 'well that's ok' and handed my best friend a Hershey's kiss. He said, 'oh, okay yea.' [I was braver, way back when.] As we went on to jr. high, I didn't have very many classes with him but my crush never ended till we both went to different high schools.
Sometime after I moved back here, I saw on channel 7's news program a story on a Paul Dunn Golf Tournament [ http://www.pauldunnclassic.com/ ] Could it be the same guy? I looked into it on the internet and it was. Paul had been stricken as an adult with ALS. [Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.] Paul did get married and had a child before losing his fight with the disease.
Was that our hidden connection? That we would both fight a neurological disease in our lives. Paul had many, many friends so a memory of me may not even have ever crossed his mind. But if it did, I hope that my struggles and perserverance at that young age encouraged him during his fight.
You may never know if or how you influenced someone's life, so make sure you are a positive influence.
Keep writing your blogs, I am learning soooo much more about you. Good blog. Dad
ReplyDeleteThis was WONDERFUL, Angie. And I am absolutely sure you were an encouragement and a positive influence to Paul, even way back then. That is one of your many gifts. Thanks so much for sharing this. You are so right...we never know how what we do or say will impact someone else, even years later. I have a story to share with you about one of my Dad's army buddies during WW2...I will email it to you. Ditto your Dad....am loving your posts so much....and love you, T.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you never cease to amaze me! Yes, keep writing. Write and write and write. I know that even that is a sacrifice, but it blesses so many hearts. I just love your "first love" story. I'm sure that Paul could not help but see the tenacity of a young girl, her struggles and her victories. I only pray that my grandchildren will benefit from the life that you live, just as I do. I was praying for you this morning that God will see fit to continue to give you health to accomplish His work that you are involved with. You are dearly loved.
ReplyDeleteWow. What a story. So interesting how you both struggled with your diseases. I know you are an encouragement to me when I have my (little) struggles. I love your blog. It's so fun to get to know these different sides of you.
ReplyDeleteThat last sentence is a good thing for me to remember. I love you, little one. grace
ReplyDeleteAngie, I read this again tonight. I loved reading this; I can just see you offering him a kiss. I have no doubt whatsoever that you have encouraged many people in their struggles--all kinds of struggles. I know several people have told me that you have been a great encouragement to them. Your Dad and I are very proud of your mental and spiritual strength and your wonderful abilities despite your physical limitations. You are a marvelous daughter. Mom
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