Past the Trees

by   February 25, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

By now, you may have learned that I am a bit of a dendrophile – just don’t ask me to name the particular trees I love. I admire their shape and structure, their rings that reveal years of stories, and how they transform with each season. In winter, I appreciate how deciduous trees, which once provided a curtain separating us from other scenes, lose their leaves in the fall, exposing a hidden world during the winter months.

As passengers in our mini-van, I love pointing out the scenes behind the woods to my family. Sometimes, it is a delightful treasure – the gated mansion off the main road, ginormous boulders in the woods, the lines of intentionally planted trees standing at attention. Other times, we pass by an area better off concealed from the public – an unkempt yard of junk or trash, a worn-down, neglected shack that was once a beloved home.

Spring and summer will conceal the hidden once again in a few months. However, the hidden will still be there – the good and beautiful as well as the bad and ugly. It reminds me of Jesus’ encounter with scribes and the religious leaders (the Pharisees) in Matthew 23. In verses 25-28, Jesus warns about how these leaders focused on outward displays of righteousness. Yet, their hearts held greed, self-indulgence, and essentially death and uncleanliness.

Earlier, in Matthew 5, as Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount, he warns about these same scribes and Pharisees. “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (verse 20). These religious leaders prided themselves in their outward appearance of righteousness but failed to fix their gaze on the One who alone could make them inwardly righteous.

As followers of Jesus, we are to move beyond a mere outward facade of goodness. Professing Christians can fail to fully realize true inward righteousness by prohibiting access to the Holy Spirit to transform them from the inside out. But truly righteous deeds on the outside must have the transforming power of the Holy Spirit on the inside first. Otherwise, these good deeds are acts to convince ourselves or others that we have earned our righteousness. That is tiring work because it comes from our efforts rather than a refreshing, supernaturally powered work.

In each of our seasons, someone passes by us. Unlike passing trees in summer versus winter, people can observe righteousness from the inside out during any season. Our love for God overflows into our love for others. In some seasons, we think we are good at concealing what is not so great on the inside through our efforts to convince others by our works, but there is One who always sees the state of our hearts (see 1 Samuel 16:7).

I pray we can be people with outward works that are an overflow of supernatural inward work. It begins with submission, which can be a restful posture.

Ashlie Miller is married to Chad, a pastor and church-planter of Mission Bible Church in Charlotte. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com

A Penny for Your Thoughts

by   February 24, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I remember growing up hearing the expression: “A penny for your thoughts.” It probably needs to be updated to, “Five bucks for your thoughts.” I am not sure I would give someone the time of day for a penny. I think about a lot of things, I sure hope that my thoughts are worth more than a penny. Although, I admit some of my thoughts are worthless!

            I have been watching people recently and noticing that most people don’t take much time to just sit quietly and think. I was waiting at a business the other day and everyone was looking at their phone. I watched people in a parking lot. They were either talking on their phone, reading something on their phone, or texting someone. Many times you can walk past people and they won’t even greet you because they are staring at their phones.

            When do people take time to think? It is hard to think when we are constantly bombarded with texts, emails, social media, news, music, and television. We have music playing when we are in our cars. The only solitary place in our lives is the bathroom, and even there we are invaded by music and technology. Some might argue that we can think when we are in bed, but even there people are on their phones or tablets.

            We need to find a way to shut out all these inputs and allow our minds to think…to process what is happening in and around our lives. I avoid my phone when I walk so I can spend some time thinking and praying. I like to sit out on my porch late at night when the weather is good and the neighborhood is quiet, just to let my mind think and to pray. We have to create a space and time to allow our minds to think.

            The next issue is we have to guard our thoughts. We have to control our thoughts and consider carefully the subject of our meditations. I have been keeping close tabs on my mind the last couple of days and keeping track of my thoughts. My mind likes to wander from topic to topic, often faster than I can keep up.  

            Have you ever thought about winning the lottery? I love to do the math and calculate what we would need to be “comfortable” for the rest of our lives. I also enjoy thinking about how I might give away some of the money. I would love to give some money to schools, police and fire departments, the homeless shelter, and animal shelters. Wouldn’t it be fun to go pay someone’s overwhelming medical bills?

            Those are entertaining thoughts. But sometimes I caught myself worrying about things that are out of my control. I allowed anxiety about things in my life to grip me. I allowed frustrations with people to take up too much time. While I try to always be positive, I have discovered that negative thoughts can fill my mind, too. I have entertained thoughts that should not be allowed to enter my mind.

            When I make mistakes or bad decisions I often struggle to forgive myself. I wrestle with doubts and sometimes give in to their seductions. I faced fears and allowed them to overcome my faith. I want to win and have victorious thoughts, but find that sometimes I am weak and I lose the battle. In those weak moments my thoughts will condemn me and I accept their accusations.

            Our thoughts are important to God. He does not want us to live condemned and defeated lives. We have the power to stop our minds and change our stinking thinking. We have to remind ourselves of the truths in scripture. When our thoughts condemn us, we have to remind ourselves of the truth that we are forgiven. When our faith feels weak, we need to remind ourselves that the Bible calls us overcomers. We can banish fear and worry by replacing them with faith and hope. We must turn our thoughts back to God. We must trust the Bible, which says we will triumph.

            I want to encourage you to consider your thoughts. Are they filled with faith in a living God who is on your side, or are they beating you down and keeping you discouraged? I want to encourage you to pack those negative thoughts up and send them away. Remind yourself of God’s great love for you. Remind yourself that you are strong in Him. Remind yourself that He is with you through the trials of life and He will never forsake you.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

Calm

by   February 23, 2024 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

The television advertisement shows a green plant with its leaves wet from a gentle rain that is the over sound. It is a pleasant and calm scene in which the viewer is asked to do nothing  for  fifteen seconds as a circle winds down the time. The viewer is told that she can download the Calm app for free. When I pulled the Calm,com app up on my phone I read the following: “Calm is The #1 App For Mental Fitness, Designed To Help You Manage Stress. Sleep Better And Live A Happier, Healthier Life. Try Calm For Free Today.”

Wow. All that in capital letters promising a better and happier and healthier life.

Now, I did not load the app onto my phone. My decision is not against an app that promises to calm me and help me manage the stress in my life. It is not, simply put, something that would be of use because I can walk out into our front yard or back garden and be calmed by the sounds of nature.

For instance, during my morning stationary ride  on the screened porch I was gifted enough calming sights and sounds to last the day. A red-bellied woodpecker repeatedly flew from one of the dogwood trees to a feeder returning each time with a sunflower seed to crack open in a crevice of  dogwood bark; the camellia bush held its first deep red bloom in its rich, green foliage; nuthatches scampered up and down the dogwood in a search for grubs or the rights of mating; a high breeze caressed the pine tops; cawing crows glided above us all on a mission known only to them; and  much more. As I rode my five miles, I registered all of this and more because I accepted nature’s gift of the morning, knowing that I may need it later during my day as a reminder of things larger than my life and me.

Modern technologies amaze me, and I use one right now as I type this on my computer. My computer program will correct much of my poor spelling, make suggestions for grammar, and automatically store all these words in whatever folder I  choose. That is convenient and truly awe inspiring. However, all of this cannot compare with the wind passing through the high reaches of the pines or that woodpecker gliding from tree to feeder and back. No machine, “intelligent” or not, can compete with the nuthatches that live in or visit  our back garden.

Yet our culture has evolved into one that is constantly searching for and creating mechanical ways to improve our lives. Our culture is one in which many folks while exercising supply themselves with mechanical means to shut out the world as they walk, ride, or run. It is as if the sounds of nature are invasive, so a chosen man-noise is deemed better than the sounds of nature; even when exercising in an urban area nature is present but will never be heard while captured in a man-made system of noise.

Calm is good, and the Calm.com app is pleasing. Who would not like the rain falling on leaves or more. But we do not need to create it or record it. We just need to walk outside and look for it. Nature is all around for us.

Upcoming Race Info

by   February 22, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

New Sarum Brewing, Catawba College, Rowan Helping Ministries and 341 participants all came together on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 4, for Rowan’s biggest running event, the 41st Annual New Sarum Brewing Winter Flight races. New Sarum has been the title sponsor for five consecutive years, Catawba has hosted the event for 35 of the last 36 years. Rowan Helping Ministries provided 30 volunteers and will receive 100 percent of the proceeds.

A mostly sunny day with a high in the low 50s was just what the runners and walkers wanted for the three races, including the half-mile fun run on the Catawba track, the community health 5K and North Carolina State Championship 8K.

Chris Maxon of Thomasville chased the 8K course record from the opening horn blown by official starter, Dr. David Horton, himself a worldwide ultramarathon celebrity. Maxon was all alone at the front of the field for the entire race but missed the record set in 1988 by Hans Koehleman of the Netherlands by 22 seconds. Maxon, 24, was an All-American at Indiana Wesleyan and did some of his best racing at Ole Miss. He has a 28:55 10K so his chances were legitimate to chase the $750 bonus for the record attempt. Maxon’s finish time was 23 minutes and 57 seconds, a 4 minute and 29 second average per mile pace. He said, “I put a few seconds in the bank on mile one and then eased off slightly on mile two. Now that I have seen the course, I shouldn’t have eased off because the toughest part of the course was still ahead. I have a fire burning to come back and get that record next year.”

Second was Zack Krieger of Davidson in 27.19 followed in third place by Aidan Reyna of Thomasville in 28:16. Robert Miller of China Grove grabbed the over 40 years of age Master’s Championship also in 28:16. Craige Farmer of Salisbury took the top Grandmasters (50 and over) place in 29:16. Miller was the top Rowan County finisher. Pete Gibson of Murfeesboro broke his own 8K state record for ages 55-59 with a sizzling 30:53. Tops for the women was Gabriella Delay of Winston Salem in 29:57, followed by Elise Wrenholt of Davidson for second at 32:32, followed closely by Concord’s Gatsby Goode in third with a clocking of 32:41. Hope Julian was the first Rowan County finisher.

Complete results are at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org 5K winners were Mark Perez of Salisbury in 20:16 and Lucia Ellis of Mocksville in 21:39.

Drew Adams of Salisbury won the fun run in 3:08. Forty-nine sponsors supported the race, most notably New Sarum Brewing, Catawba College, the City of Salisbury, David Post, the Trophy House, Debbie Suggs Catering, Carolina Cremation, Taylor Clay Products and the Bogle Firm. The Salisbury Police Department, assisted by two cars each from Landis and Rockwell and one from Spencer kept both the simultaneous 8K and 5K racers safe. The Salisbury Fire Department was on the scene in case of a medical emergency.

Race proceeds will net Rowan Helping Ministries more than $13,000. The overall cooperation of many organizations, individuals and the city services mentioned make each Winter Flight so successful, this one likely the most successful ever when all is said and done. Executive Director Kyna Grubb and her staff will make good use of these funds.

Next up is the 11th Annual Will Run for Food 5K at the Centenary Methodist Church on Centenary Church Road. The Saturday, Feb. 24, race also benefits Rowan Helping Ministries and kicks off at 10 a.m. Runners and walkers will cruise a rural course around the church. Just past the finish line, church members will have a truckload of homemade cookies and brownies.

New this year on March 9 is the Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K Run/Walk, hosted by Rowan Diagnostic Clinic. The race course will begin and end at Catawba College, with a block party finale including refreshments and awards back at Rowan Diagnostic.

Look for information on these races and more events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

Safe

by   February 21, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?

  • No doubt, life has many challenges and even in challenging relationships.
  • So many things come against us, but we know this – God is with us and will help us.
  • We have absolutely nothing to fear if God is with us and for us and we must keep reminding ourselves of this. 

Prayer:  Hallelujah!  I am so grateful that You are with me and that I have nothing to fear and no one can be against me because You are for me.  I praise Your holy name.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

On the Struggle Bus

by   February 20, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

I am fairly certain I laughed when I first heard that term — struggle bus.

I totally and completely understood it immediately.

Being on the struggle bus means having a hard time facing difficulties, obstacles or challenges. As far as the bus part of the phrase, it means the person is stuck in a bad situation they cannot quickly escape due to traveling along a rough road full of problems.

People often use the term struggle bus because it humorously makes light of a challenging circumstance by referring to it as a bus filled with struggles that we cannot exit from until we reach our destination.

Alternative ways to express being on the struggle bus are: in a rut, in a jam, in a bind, in a pickle or in hot water. These phrases are not only pessimistic, but being in a pickle sounds scary.

When we find ourselves on the struggle bus, we need to either look for the next exit or push open the emergency exit door. I was just kidding about that one. Taking a leap out the emergency exit door of the bus in a non-emergency will not get anyone out of the struggle bus.

When I went on field trips on the activity bus with my sixth-grade students, there was nothing as tempting for some of them as desiring to pull the emergency exit door open. They would gather around it, look at it, talk about it, and sometimes someone would touch it. Since I had eyes in the back of my head, I would say, “Stop!” just in time.

What do we do when we are on the struggle bus — and need to get off?

*Find the first stop and exit. Getting off may be a little hard because those around you may not agree that you should get off there, even though you know in your heart that you need to exit.

An important aspect of being on the struggle bus is that the bus also has other strugglers on it. We can use that to our advantage. Talking to and listening to others is one of our greatest assets in life. When we do that, our problems can immediately feel minimized because we are transferring our troubles to a different location in our thoughts, as we help someone else with their troubles. The long-term goal is not to remain on the struggle bus, but while we are there, our healing can come as we minister to others who are also struggling.

When visiting France a few years ago, my husband and I were on a tour bus that was stopping frequently for us to see historical sites. We would get off the bus, walk to the site, enjoy it for a few minutes, get a photo, and head back to the bus. But — there were 50 of us and only 30 seats.

We were packed on the bus like a can of sardines and exited as if the can had been turned over and its contents spewed out. We had to fight to get off the bus and fight to get back on the bus. After several stops, most people chose to just stay seated. It apparently was not worth it to them to struggle to see the sites and make the memories.

It felt like a struggle bus, but instead of just accepting it and staying seated where there was almost no view, we clamored our way off and on that bus over and over and over and stood up the entire time at the front of the bus, since we no longer had a seat. Guess what? With struggles came progress. The struggle was so worth it!

Struggles develop our strengths, testimony, courage and wisdom.

According to Helen Keller, the struggles of life are one of our greatest blessings. They makes us patient, sensitive and more like Jesus.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

Negative Space

by   February 19, 2024 with No Comments

By Ronda Sassano

Negative Space.  Sounds ominous, doesn’t it?  Anything that starts with “negative” gets such a bad rap these days.  But to an artist (😇) negative space is an important part of the design and can be extremely valuable to the composition.  Negative space, in case you aren’t sure, refers to the “blank” space on the canvas or paper.  Negative space is the unpainted, untainted white area that gives the eye a chance to rest as it processes a busy piece. Without a blank area or two, a work of art could become overwhelming and the beauty, lost.  Negative space increases the power of the colors, just as the quiet of night emphasizes the volume of the day.  

Negative space isn’t found only on paper or canvas.  It can also be found in a moment of rest when a long day has come to an end.  When a day off happens unexpectedly.  When that appointment I was running to suddenly cancelled.  Or in the moment of something simple, like putting toothpaste on the brush, or stirring a boiling pot of pasta to keep the noodles from sticking together.   Yes.  Negative space can definitely be found IF I look for it, if I seek it out, if I’m aware and watching for it. 

Recently, I added a layer to looking for negative space.  I began to practice being open to the Lord during any negative space I happened to recognize.  At one of these points, I was musing about some negative circumstances and how valuable they can be to make my heart more sensitive to the Spirit and what He’s trying to do in my life.  Of course, that’s not what always happens when challenging circumstances arise, and probably not even what usually happens.  What usually happens is that I get angry and blame and accuse the Father and hide my heart from Him.  But, this time  heard Him say, “Yes.  When negative circumstances arise, many times, I use them to answer your prayers for a sensitive heart, the prayers for a deeper intimacy with Me.   It’s in the valley of the shadow that you have greatest opportunity to discover who I really am and how much I really do love you.  Yes.  I allow challenges,  I allow pain and grief and even emotions that are so big and intense and heavy that you don’t know what to do with them.  But I never leave you hurting or angry,  I never want you to stay in the tragedy and trauma.  But sometimes you walk away.  Or push Me away.  Or hide from Me.  In My infinite knowledge of you and your heart, I desire for your circumstances to be the catalyst to seek Me out. To want more of Me.  If you will trust that I have purpose for every hurt, every wound, every trial, nothing will be wasted.  Not even one tear goes unnoticed…they are so precious to Me.  They are a sign of a humble heart realizing a need for help that only I can give.  A bruised reed I will not break.  A crushed heart I will not abuse or manipulate or scorn or despise.  Come to Me all you who are heavy hearted.  And I will give you rest. I am in the negative space.”

if you are in a spot like that, pushing the Lord away or angry or just holding your heart back from Him, He invites you to release your anger.  Release your heart to trust Him. He never fails.  Even when I fail to trust Him, He never walks away.  Never rolls his eyes in disgust or sighs in disappointment.  He only longs for me (and for you) to press into Him in the pain.  And He waits. In the negative space.  

Pedestal of Imperfection

by   February 18, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Being a fan of anything is an intriguing thought – the idea that we have an innate desire to esteem or glorify someone or something – to put someone on a pedestal, if you will. Last week was a moment of obvious illustration – sports enthusiasts excited for the big game, music fans anticipating halftime, and celebrity worshipers waiting to catch a glimpse of him or her. We may not like to equate fanaticism as the same as worshiping something earthly, temporal, or worldly, yet worship it is. 

Elevating other earthlings as somehow untouchables worthy of so much awe inevitably leads to a letdown. There is no true reciprocity in this dynamic. Yet, we tend to be quite forgiving and understanding when the celebrity we follow makes horrible decisions or even, in some instances, moral failures. “They are just merely human, after all,” or “They are just like us!” we say to justify our continued obsessive followings. 

In the book of Job in the Bible, which I revisited last month, Job is called a “righteous man” at the beginning of the book. However, by the end, after trial upon trial and horrible counsel that lacked empathy from friends (and that is putting it nicely), Job is set straight by God for failing to understand God or demonstrating knowledge of His ways. It is a rebuke wrapped in love and followed by great blessing and restoration. Though Job was righteous, he was not perfect.

We often mistake the righteous for the perfect, don’t we? Many distance themselves from the thought of attending church or becoming a Christian because “there are too many hypocrites.” This may partly contribute to the fastest-growing religious group in our country – the Nones (non-religious). I wonder why we assume that Christians are perfect while on this earth. Christians come from the position of knowing they are not perfect and need a Savior, after all. 

As Christians, we often find it easier to remember to pray for those who are constantly struggling but neglect praying for those viewed as righteous. We can hold those in church leadership on pedestals, giving them esteem and glory, assuming they do not need our prayers and attentive listening and discernment. When they do offer advice that reveals their limits of understanding God and His ways, we find ourselves in shock and disbelief, ready to “throw out the baby with the bathwater.” But righteousness does not equal perfection. Listen to a wicked man long enough; you will eventually hear something true or good. Yet, a wise man would not go on listening to him. Listen to a good man long enough, and you will eventually hear something wrong. Should a wise man immediately discount everything the good man says or has said? Maybe the other question is, to whom am I giving my attention and affection? How am I praying for those I value as righteous and worth listening to?

Much of our attention today as both Christians and Nones seems to be focused on celebrity culture – jumping to defend or hate a particular celebrity. Either way, it is a lot of attention, affection, and worship. I think Christians’ time would be better spent praying for our ordinary, righteous leaders than fixating on this world’s celebrity-obsessed culture. One can help us grow in understanding and love, while the other is merely consumer-driven affection.

Ashlie Miller is a pastor’s wife to Chad. They parent their five children in Concord, NC. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Feeling Under the Weather

by   February 17, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I’ve been feeling under the weather this past week. Some may say that I’m feeling under the weather because we haven’t seen any snow in over two years. There is some truth in that. Every time I think that the conditions are looking positive for some snow it all falls apart and we get rain. It has certainly been a discouraging time if you are a snow lover.

            While the lack of snow has me down, I have been under the weather physically this week. I am not sure if my allergies have gone wacky or maybe I have run into a head cold. My sinuses have been running like a river and I have sneezed my head off. I am thankful that I have had no body aches, no fever, almost no coughing, nor a sore throat. Out of an abundance of caution I took a Covid test and it came back negative.

            Basically, I just felt lousy. Normally when I feel that way, I just sleep. This time I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t feel drained. You know when you are under the weather how nothing seems interesting? I didn’t want to read. The internet couldn’t hold my attention. I didn’t want to do anything, either, including my regular chores around the house. I just wanted to sit.

            I watched a lot of TV. I watched several old movies, ones I have seen numerous times. I watched re-runs of TV shows. I definitely did NOT want to watch any news. I enjoyed the old shows and the characters. There’s something about watching the familiar that makes you feel better.

            I hate to admit this, but my prayer life was really not up to speed. One might imagine that I had lots of extra time on my hands so I could spend it in prayer. But sadly, that wasn’t the case. I had a hard time focusing my mind to pray even the simplest of prayers. I did try to keep my immediate family and my pastor and his wife covered in prayer, but beyond that little prayer was being offered.

            I did keep up on my Bible reading while I was under the weather. Hopefully, there won’t be a quiz on what I read because I am not sure much of it stuck. It is hard to concentrate when you are sneezing and blowing your nose all the time.

            All this brings me to a question. Does God ever get disappointed in us? Truthfully, I wasn’t praying or taking in His Word as I should have this week. I certainly wasn’t involved in serving in the body this week. I wasn’t keeping up with daily tasks or helping others. I just wanted to watch TV.

            Let me be abundantly clear here. If you have asked Jesus to be your Savior and you are doing your best to lead a godly life then you will NEVER disappoint God. You may argue that you sinned or failed God in some way. There is God’s forgiveness and mercy for you and His grace to help you live better for Him. God loves you UNCONDITIONALLY. The Bible makes it clear that God loves ALL people and wants a relationship with each person. Sadly, many people choose not to love God back. They choose to walk away from God and His love.

            If you want to know what disappoints God it’s when we allow hate and anger to destroy love. When we look at another human being and don’t see them through God’s eyes, that disappoints Him. No one is beyond salvation until their last breath. There is no sin that can’t be cleansed by the redeeming blood of Jesus. There is no opinion or perspective that Jesus can’t fix. There is no broken person that God can’t restore. No one has gone too far from God’s love and forgiveness.

            The good news is that being physically sick, spiritually sick, or feeling distant or disconnected does not disqualify you from God’s love. He can’t be disappointed in you. I encourage you to turn back to God now before it is too late. I encourage you to open your heart to God and receive His love and forgiveness. I encourage you to ask God for the gift and the power of the Holy Spirit who can give you the power to live a different life, an abundant life. I encourage you to look at your life through God’s eyes and see the beautiful person He made you to be.   

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

Blanket Chest

by   February 16, 2024 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

The six-board blanket chest offered by Laughlin’s Auctions appealed to my wife, Mary Ann. After the preview, she thought about the green painted chest with its flora design painted on front, and the stars, fish, and sailing ship skillfully decorating the top. She was especially captivated by the name and date around the escutcheon: Winifred Byrd, 1945. Since the auction was close to her birthday, she decided to place a bid, and after finding the perfect place for it in our morning room, she became a serious bidder. She won.

The chest would barely fit in our van, where it sat a few days until two strong men could carry it into our home. After some gentle cleaning with a damp cloth to remove years of grime, Mary Ann was pleased with her gift for herself and liked the chest even more as she studied it in our morning room; but she remained mystified by the name and date painted on the chest’s front. Perhaps it had been a gift for a young woman before her marriage.

The intrigue of the name and date swayed Mary Ann to begin a Google search. Since Byrd is an old Virginia family surname, she anticipated a quick result. As often happens, the result came quickly, but not how she had expected.

She found a 1947 birth notice of a boy born in Birmingham, Alabama, and his mother was named Winifred Byrd. Searching further, she found Winifred’s obituary which mentioned her divorce from Mr. Byrd and remarriage. That information led to an obituary for a man with Winifred’s new surname, which named a surviving brother, born in 1947, who had also changed his last name from Byrd to that of their beloved stepfather. Hoping he was related to Winifred Byrd; Mary Ann emailed him. He responded that yes, Winifred was his mother, and the man who had just died was his brother.

Robert, Winifred’s son,  told Mary Ann how his grandmother had had a blanket chest made for her two daughters. One, which had been made for his aunt, was stolen while he was a student at Auburn University. He had no knowledge of what had happened to his mother’s blanket chest until Mary Ann’s email. After their initial email exchanges, Mary Ann and he had several phone conversations.

He shared much about his life growing up and working in Birmingham, and Mary Ann told him about her maternal grandparents and their daughters who lived there before the war. Often, as dialogue on a plane or train ride reveals, two strangers discover how much they have in common. So with Robert and Mary Ann.

Too often family heirlooms are purchased by strangers because no surviving family member wants them, money disputes rattle the family, or something else rises. Fortunately for Robert, Mary Ann had won the bidding for his mother’s chest.

  Later this year Robert will come to visit,  and when he leaves Winifred’s blanket chest will return home with him.

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