LEFT BEHIND

© by Danna Shirley 

I never flew on an airplane until I married at age 20. My first flight ever was to join Ron in Southern California and then fly to Alabama to meet his family for the first time.

As a Navy wife it was one adventure after another which began in California where we met in 1968, then to Reno to get married J. One year later we were off to Bermuda for shore duty, then to Maryland for NESEP Prep School, then to Mississippi for four years at Ole Miss. We left there in 1974 with an Engineering degree and our sweet Kristen born February 27, 1971. Our next move was to Florida for flight school, back to California aboard the U.S.S. Constellation and then to Bremerton, Washington when the ship went into drydock. Our next move was to the Philippines for shore duty where we took home our blond-haired, blue-eyed little Filipino, Russell, born on February 7, 1977.

When we returned from the P.I., Ron received a medical separation from the Navy and we went home to Montgomery, Alabama. Employment with Alabama Power took us to Demopolis; then back to Montgomery for more education at which point our third child, Aaron, was born September 15, 1980 and college plans were dismissed.

Ron’s next employment took us to New Jersey in December 1980 with the AEGIS Program then back to Pascagoula, Mississippi where he worked for three Naval Contractors at Ingalls Shipbuilding from 1981 to 1992.

His knowledge and expertise with AEGIS sent us to Japan from 1992 until 1997 and then right back to Ingalls Shipbuilding. We lived on the MS Gulf Coast until Ron’s death in 2003—which was my first experience of really being left behind and totally alone. I stayed in the house we built together for a year and a half and then moved to Tennessee in 2004 when my daughter said it wasn’t good for me to be alone. I agreed!

The point of this testimony of travel is to relate that I was always on the move. I was never the one who was left behind. I always had the option of looking forward to my next destination, my next community, my next neighborhood and friends. There was sorrow, of course, when I left behind good friends but always there was the expectation of a new adventure ahead.

I’m pretty much settled where I will probably spend the rest of my days. When I see friends move on now, I’m the one left behind. I am finally experiencing the loss they must have felt when I moved on. It is a sad thing. Will I ever see them again? Will we ever have that close relationship we had in Mississippi, in Washington, in the Philippines, in Japan, in Tennessee? Maybe not this side of heaven but I wouldn’t change one thing about my life because I have made wonderful friends and memories along the way.

All of our relationships and moves mean nothing if we are left behind when the Lord comes. Don’t neglect the most important relationship you will ever have—with GOD and the most important move you will ever make—to HEAVEN. 

DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND!

John 3:16

ADDENDUM J

Here I go thinking my life is finally settled. Now I’m on the move again (2013) but I’m used to it. Actually, when I realized I had another move ahead of me, my feet began to “itch” and my mind began to mentally downsize and start packing.

Unfortunately, this move is to be caregiver to my family in California. My mother at 93 is living alone, my sister, Paula, has an autoimmune disease that leaves her in much pain, and her husband, Jerry, hasn’t fully recovered from back surgery that has left him very weak.  He has also been diagnosed with Parkinson's. Since I am a retired widow, I’m able to pick up and move when needed.

My original plan was to drive from TN to CA with my sister, Nan. We were going to stop in Arkansas and Oklahoma to see family and then do some sight-seeing along the way, but the situation in CA was getting desperate so we decided to speed up the process. Nan flew out immediately and I continued getting my house in order.

I have truly downsized beyond all expectations this time. Five weeks ago when this began, I made decisions to give away certain items and keep others. A week later I was willing to give up a little more until I finally reached the point that I could give up my books—eeck! They’ve always been like children to me but now I’ve passed them along to other good homes.

All things of value (art, antiques, jewelry) have a new home at my daughter’s. She would eventually inherit them anyway. I’ve donated 2/3 of my wardrobe to the Clothes Closet at church. Furniture and appliances have been sold. Papers I’ve held onto for years thinking I would “do something” with them have gone to the shredder. Just a few boxes, keepsakes, and some furniture remain stored in my attic and garage. I’ve rented the house to a good and trusted friend.

The only thing I won’t give up is my bed. Ron and I bought a Temper Pedic a few months before he died to help relieve his fibromyalgia pain. It has been a God-send for me and my back as well. I am happy to have moved into my granddaughter, Bella’s, bedroom with a 2-drawer file cabinet as a nightstand, my laptop and printer handy, and a private bath. What more could anyone want? When I return to Tennessee, I will consider going into a senior living facility.

I’ve learned that what was important to hold onto twenty years ago was easily released today. Traveling down life’s road farther from the beginning and nearing the end puts things into perspective. Above and beyond holding onto these material things is the most important decision in life—TO HOLD ONTO ETERNITY!

GOD BLESS YOU AND

YOUR CHOSEN DESTINATION . . .

Isaiah 55:6

Okay, one more time! I stayed in CA for two years and three months and finally "burned out" from my caregiving duties. Moved back to Tennessee in June of 2015 and stayed with my daughter until I bought a zero-lot line house in October in Cordova. I no longer feel comfortable in saying I'm now settled down for life because only God knows. I am into the next chapter and am content to stay nestled in my Savior's arms.