Love Has Won

Many people start making New Year’s resolutions as soon as the clock strikes midnight! Although I had my list ready, (I am a list maker) I didn’t really set any in place. For some reason I felt like I needed to reflect. I feel like sometimes I forget that I should take time to praise Jesus for the blessings and learn from the lessons.

“STOP… LISTEN TO ME, I AM SPEAKING TO YOU, MY DAUGHTER,” said Jesus. I capitalize that not because he yelled at me out of anger.  But I believe He is excited for me to see the beauty He revealed in my life the past year from a different perspective.

I cannot explain everything that happened to me in 2014, but two things major happened that were life changing. I will never be the same.

I was selected to spend the summer in Washington D.C. I knew it was an awesome opportunity when I had the initial offer for the interview but when I received the placement for the Senate HELP Committee Disability Policy Office, I knew it was an once in a lifetime experience. Moving up to DC was eventful. There were times when it almost became too much. David and my parents were willing to do anything to make it happen! The summer was incredible. Working with Senator Harkin and his staff was an unforgettable experience! Although the work was tough, it was an honor. I made several friends throughout the summer. One in particular, Clem, became a dear friend. We learned so much together and he was the one I texted when deadlines become too overwhelming.  He understood the “Angela language.” You know, when I speak under my breath, hoping people won’t understand me. It was funny because it became my goal to make him laugh during the times we were supposed to be quiet. Oh, so many other great memories. The summer in Washington was life-changing!

I returned home in August ready for my last semester of graduate school. I started my fall internship a week after the move.  Everything was back to normal. Or so I thought.  I was working every day and didn’t do a lot of other things because of the hectic schedule. One day, David did not feel very well, so I asked my mom to come help me get ready for bed. To my surprise, daddy came with her. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to see me. We talked about work and he laughed because I wouldn’t let him change the thermostat. At the end of their visit, he hugged me and said, “I love you, babe” in his southern accent.

That Tuesday, September 7^th, I went to the office just as any other day. My van started to stutter a little. I thought I would just call daddy when I got to the office. But the morning turned out to be really busy and I planned to call when I got home. So I texted him and told him I’d call him later. When I got home, I called several times and he didn’t answer. I thought he probably just fell asleep and forgot the phone in another room. I asked David to go check on him. A small voice told me that I should stay home. When David arrived, daddy didn’t open the door. Mama rushed home and together, they found daddy had passed away in his bed. After a few minutes, David had told me over the phone because I knew something was terribly wrong and I was flipping out because mama would not tell me why she was crying.

On my way, the first person I called was Melody. She has been that friend that you may not see every day but is the one you call first when you need someone there. And she was there as I pulled up. There were also an ambulance, a fire truck, and police.  All I can remember was Melody and David pushing me to the house that I called home for over twenty-five years. But as I entered, I realized that a huge part of my heart was gone. You see after the month that I moved out, daddy and I became really close. The dynamic of our relationship changed. He was always there when we needed anything, but our relationship was now driven by a desire to know one another and love.

Maybe I will write about the following weeks in a different post. But for now, I need you to know that love has won! I love you, daddy!

In the closing of 2014, I just wanted to remember the incredible story God has written for me to roll through.