Lasting

Before I left for basic military training, my great uncle, "Uncle Elmo" gave me a great piece of wisdom to which I clung in difficult days through training and in many difficult seasons since.  Uncle Elmo lovingly told me, "Johnna Kay, remember:  tough times don't last, tough people do - and you're tough people!"  As I stand here at my desk typing those words, tears come, and not for the first time today.  It's been a "tough time" this week for my military family, and for my heart.  Uncle Elmo's estimation of me as "tough" has been echoed by others, so I suppose there's plenty of evidence; but sometimes the work of "lasting" is tough indeed.

Although Reverend Schuller's books graced the shelves of my childhood home, and were among my mother's cherished volumes.  She had only a few books back then, and wasn't much of a reader, electing to focus on nonfiction, biographical, and self-help genres exclusively.  Her interests have now grown to include a wide range of fiction, and her collection has become colorful.  I never noticed in those years among The Be (Happy) Attitudes and other such classics by the cheerful Reverend the resilient quip.  We even listened to his teachings on television on The Hour of Power which is now carried on by his legacy; and I didn't catch the tough people lasting...

Maybe it was because I needed the message just then, at twenty-nine years of age, having already overcome the obstacles of my two foot surgeries and a full release without restriction to enlist...and needed to hear it from one of my heroes.  Uncle Elmo had served in the Army Air Corps, the seed that blossomed into my beloved Air Force.  I was carrying on his legacy.  

Maybe this message comes now because today was the memorial locally for another hero of mine.  David Angle, a man whose voice and laugh I hope I never forget, was the officer whose voice led me through the oath of enlistment - at his insistence - just months before the conversation with Uncle Elmo.  David Angle knew about tough people too, as he married one.  Kathy Angle is one tough woman, whose service as a spouse has been so honorable I sought to make her a mentor of sorts as I served as a spouse and then as a service-member too.  The courage and character, the hospitality and humility of this dear couple is beyond even my capacity for description; but I wanted to offer a bit of tribute to their example. 

The Angles prove well Uncle Elmo's words (whether they were his own or a paraphrase of the pastor's), "tough times don't last, tough people do."  Kathy, when you read this, you'll bear a designation I never hoped to share with you; but you're not only a widow, you are "tough people," and lasting isn't easy, but you will...and I'm here for you.

Jotting with Johnna
Who has been heroic for you?  How have you found resilience?  What words of strength do you recall have helped you - do you think of any that might bless Miss Kathy?  If so, please jot them in the comments so this might become a fountain of blessing.

Remember:  you are so very worthy of the time it takes to heal, to rest, and to discover where your strength is - where/what/whom your resources are.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.