Tag Archives: Marshall

Everyone needs a corner station

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Today marks the end of an era in my neighborhood, and I am not happy about it.  We have lived in this town for a little under seventeen years, and this has been my gas station all through that time.  Len’s Southside has been the place where I began to go out of necessity.  Who wants to pump gas in the middle of one of the worst winters on record with a precocious toddler on her hip while being 8 months pregnant?  I know of no woman who would say yes to that scenario.

Convenience. I admit it.  My “relationship” with the father and son dynamic duo began as a mutually beneficial one.  I needed gas, and they needed customers.  Over the years however that relationship changed.  It really had very little to do on my part (or the other beloved customers’ parts either).  It was the way these gentle men put service into service station.

When you came to the corner of Greeley and West College Drive, you came home.  Everyone was treated that way.  The last full service station in our town was the place to come to fill more than just your tank. Over the years, we have swapped fishing and hunting tales.  It is Minnesota after all; so, of course, we talked about the weather.  We have chatted about school, sports, and pigeons.  The elder was so excited to learn that we raise them; because back in the day, he did too.

On more than one occasion, my husband has accused me of frequenting the station because I like to “flirt” with older men.   But as he watched our “relationship” evolve, he began to refer to Len and Jeff as my dad and brother.  No one chuckled more than my sweetie when I came home after buying a scooter and told of how my “family” at the station had chided me at least seven times “to just be careful on that thing”.

Of course, the brotherly and fatherly “interference” didn’t stop there because I do have a tendency to push ‘er to the limit on remembering to fill up.  More than once I coasted in on fumes, guided along by angels’ wings and several prayers – mine.  Len would always just smile the knowing smile, and Jeff would slip in a “Well you sure went a little far this time”.

When tragedy struck both families in different ways, our bond was forever solidified.  We prayed for each other through the loss of a son and mother battling (and winning) with cancer.  Hearing updates on her progress often brought me to tears, as I can only imagine watching my heart break did to theirs.

Gardening was another love we shared.  When “Mom” wasn’t able to tend a garden during treatments, I would send my kiddos on a cycling mission to pedal the bounty from our garden down to the station.  Today the last day of the shop being open, I couldn’t help myself;  I just had to bring them a basket of love.

Two of the finest gentlemen you will ever meet!

Two of the finest gentlemen you will ever meet!

I filled up my old van yesterday because, honestly, I am not the only one who will miss them, and I was afraid that they might run out of gas before today.  There was a beautiful sign up in front thanking the family for 44 years of service.  My littlest and I enjoyed cookies and lemonade on a sweltering day.  She enjoyed the treats, while I reminisced about all the memories we have shared.

When they showed me the proclamation, from the mayor, which was ceremoniously bestowed  earlier that morning, I started to cry.  Tears of sadness – for the loss of tradition of serving others that truly made a mom and pop gas station a place of refuge.  Tears of joy – for living in a town that took the time to recognize two of the sweetest men you could ever meet.  Tears of pride – for two men who just feel like family, knowing in my heart that gentlemen like that are treasures indeed!

Good luck on your next adventure! You will be missed!

sawyer's flagWhen we first envisioned doing something to fund the Reed Stevens Memorial Scholarship, we never saw an event as big as what Reed’s Run became.  The four runs produced many different results: some expected and others pleasant surprises.  The obvious by-products were a successful fundraising venture and a community event enjoyed by many. Among the unexpected were the blossoming of friendships and the renewal of friendships from long ago.

One of those friendships was rekindled in those early days in the hospital when Sawyer was still in the Intensive Care.  It was something akin to the proverbial blessings that those who have walked through tragedy really have eyes and hearts open enough to see.  The connection was with one of Sawyer’s godmothers.

As the days drew closer to the final run, we realized that we were going to have a house filled with loved ones as well as a few hotel rooms with other loved ones.  For those travelling from far away, we decided to send out an agenda of what we would be offering in the way of entertainment.  After working set-up all day Friday, a break would take place to cheer on Sawyer and the Lakers with a September/October birthday party at the fire pit in Reed’s garden afterwards.

To be honest, we didn’t think many would take us up on the offer for the football game.  To our surprise, there were 15 people that comprised the cheering section for number 74.  One among our group was Sawyer’s little god-brother, S, proudly clad in Laker blue and waving homemade flags emblazoned with Sawyer’s name and school “mascot”. S cheered on the team, and more than once he wondered aloud why the team or coaches weren’t listening to his flag as the score did not reflect his impassioned cheering. Sadly, Sawyer didn’t play for three fourths of the game, and for a while I felt like we had asked these loved ones from Georgia, California, western North Dakota, and Florida to come for nothing.  Then in the final few minutes, Sawyer and the other Junior Varsity guys went in.

All of a sudden an amazing tackle happens, and over the loudspeaker we hear, “Tackle made by Sawyer Stevens.” (This, of course, reads better if you do the loudspeaker echoing voice out loud.)  The Sawyer Stevens entourage cheered exuberantly, but none compared to little S.  He jumped up and down, declaring for all who would listen, “Sawyer listened to my flag. I knew it would work!”  I don’t really care what others would call the play of that game.  For one sophomore player, that was definitely it.

For the trip to the birthday bash, Sawyer rode with his god-family the 30 miles back to Marshall.  Even though I wasn’t there, the story told by his godmother about the trip home was priceless.  Huddled together in the back of the car with their heads touching were two brothers (one in high school and one in elementary) deep in conversation and game playing.

For the one who misses his big brother every day, it was a model example of brotherly love and what used to be.  For the rest of us, it was a reminder that even though the circumstances aren’t what we had planned, God’s vision of family is BIGGER than we could ever imagine.

Can God Use the Senseless?

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In the moments after learning that my son was killed, I couldn’t imagine how God could ever use something so senseless for His glory.  I couldn’t have been more mistaken.  What unfolded in the wee hours between that dreadful day and the next morning proved me completely wrong.  Ever since that moment, I have watched, awed and amazed, at God’s plan to use my life (and Reed’s story) to bring comfort to others. 

 Prior to this, I was completely content to be a mom and science teacher.  However, God had a much different plan in mind, and it took me over a year to get used to the idea. Aside from my Caringbridge postings,  I was to share our family’s story of God’s faithfulness even in our darkest moments.  Once I was finally convinced of what I was to do, I boldly stepped into a new chapter in my life. 

 Now with the vision of our church and more specifically our pastor, my new venture is coming to Marshall.  For the last year and half, I have been associated with Best Life Ministries as a speaker and writer.  On Saturday, March 10, Best Life Ministries 2012 Fill ‘Er Up Conference is coming to the Marshall Evangelical Free Church.  The goal of the ministry is to bring help, hope and healing to today’s woman. 

 There will be speakers and workshops on various topics including Finding Joy, God’s Plan for Today’s Woman (The Book of Esther), Godly Finances, Parenting and Being Parented, and Marriage.   A catered lunch is also a part of the ticket price.  The day is designed to help women identify what might be draining their lives and provide resources and encouragement to be filled up on God’s goodness instead.  As one of the main session speakers, I share that miraculous event that occurred in the hospital and how God taught me that our family would get through the tragedy of losing my child (and his friends) and the healing of two of our other children. 

 If you have never attended a women’s conference, this will be a perfect beginning as we work hard to keep the price affordable by bringing the conference to the local church.  If you are familiar with women’s conferences, the sweetest comparison that I have seen, from a previous conference attender in Rogers, MN, was that the “Best Life team is like a smaller-scale Women of Faith.” While we are certainly not that famous, I believe we are no less inspirational as the women on the team have many life experiences and they truly care about the lives of other women.

 Getting away is often difficult to do in today’s busy world, but the investment in you will be worth it.  There will be off-site childcare if needed by attendees.  For more information or to inquire about tickets, please contact the Marshall Evangelical Free Church at 507-532-4804. 

 Thank you for being a part of the community of folks that filled my family up and reminded us daily of God’s love for us!  I am continually humbled by how wonderful a place that my family and I share with all of you.