Earlier this week I shared Stacey Binning’s posting featuring a picture of Ronnie and his status as Missing In Action. Her website chronicles Ronnie’s story. In establishing her website, Stacey asked for information concerning our family. Since my younger brother Larry had already invested the time to write it down, I shared with her the story of our family through the lenses of my younger brother’s writing. Larry has the unique ability to paint a word picture that is detailed and informative. He also has the gift of kindness. The chapter he shared regarding perceptions of me is well beyond my deserving.
Many of you responded to Stacy’s shared posting. Emotionally, it caught me a little off-guard and blessed me at the same time. Was it happenstance or Divine providence? I guess at times we have a tendency to think that unless loss is up close and personal, it doesn’t make an impact. Obviously, that is erroneous thinking.
Several years ago, Honor Moore wrote an award winning Broadway play as a tribute to her mother. The play deals with her response to her mother’s illness and subsequent death. In the aftermath of that experience, it was difficult for the author to believe that her friends and associates really had empathy for what she was experiencing. When she talked to her friends, her co-workers and others, about her mother’s death, it was almost as though her words feel on deaf ears. There was casualness in their response. There was a lack of empathy and understanding. In frustration she cries out, “You don’t understand. I’m not just talking about someone, I’m talking about my mother.”
Happenstance or Divine providence? For almost fifty years I’ve been disconnected from the vast majority of friends from childhood. It wasn’t a purposeful decision. After graduation, life took all of us many different directions and as we became absorbed in the present we unintentionally moved on from the past. At least that’s my story and I’m sure it is true for many of you.
This week, after posting Stacy’s webpage concerning my brother, I’ve heard from so many of you. The details you shared about Ron’s loss and the impact it had on your life left me teary eyed. Forty-two years later you still remember with emotional accuracy, your reactions to his news. Thank you! In addition, many have shared your stories of visiting the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial -The Wall in Washington and the impact of that experience.
Since many of the expression of kindness have been privately shared, over the next couple of days (with the writer’s permission), I’m going to share a couple of stories.
I received the following message from Katherine Pitzer. She wrote asking for a copy of my book. She expressed that her husband, Richard is a proud former Marine and that he’d be honored to read about my brother.
“Good evening. You don't know me, but I am one of the lucky kids who attended Ector Jr./Sr. High School. I must admit it was really exciting to be at that school at that time! My older brother and sister attended Ector as well, much to their dismay. It wasn't cool to have a little sister waving at you in the halls.
I will fast forward to another time. I worked at Leggett's Fabrics in Odessa, Tx. and I sewed for the public. One day a young woman came into the store frantically looking for some one to make a costume for her daughter. All eyes in the store turned to me. I tried to help her find some one to make the costume, but in a matter of minutes I knew that I would make that costume.
The young woman was Jana Forrester Bland. As my brother will attest, I am a talker and in a very short conversation I was hooked! Karoni and her little brother waited patiently as the two women made some arrangements. When Jana spoke to her son and said his name, Seth, and I put the names together, I had a new friend.
For you see, I had heard about you and Ronald many years before in the hallway at Ector. I have two very special men in my life named Seth. My father, who is deceased, is Seth Herbert Kensing, Sr. and my brother is Seth Herbert Kensing,Jr. And you must know by now, that my sister is Patty Kensing Neale. I hope that you don't mind that I have sent this post to you.
Oh, did I mention that I was in the fabric store on my day off. I believe that it was divine intervention.
Thank you for sharing your heart”.
Happenstance or Divine providence is a good question to ask. I wonder how many wonderful things I’ve overlooked in my life because I didn’t take the time to process the details and ask the question, “Happenstance or Divine providence?” Perhaps the same is true for you.
All My Best!
Don