Miss Ann Says

thoughts from everyday life
Miss Ann Says
  • About Me & Media Bio:
  • Speaker/Writer
  • Daily Archives: April 29, 2012

    • a special friendship

      Posted at 9:34 pm by missannsays, on April 29, 2012

      On Saturday morning, I drove to the Bronx for the Metro New York District Church of the Nazarene Children’s Bible Quiz. I knew that quizzers, their parents and children’s ministries volunteers from 5 different churches would attend.  I had spent the last few weeks coordinating the details – trophies, treat bags, score sheets, questions and award ribbons. I was looking forward to a great quiz and a bonus would be seeing my friend Diane. When I arrived I went looking for Diane, and found her in the church kitchen getting food items ready for the light breakfast the church was so graciously supplying for the attendees. After a big hug Diane introduced me to a young woman as “This is Miss Ann, my sister by another mother”.  That really made me chuckle. When we refer to each other we say Sister Diane or Sister Ann. Part of that is a cultural thing but part of it is a real sisterhood.  I have known Diane for many years.  Her children used to be quizzers.  She is a children’s ministries volunteer in her local church. She doesn’t put up with any nonsense, she has rules and she loves those kids. She is a shorter, darker version of me.

      About a year ago, Diane asked me if I remembered the first time we met.  To be honest, I didn’t remember but Diane did.  She told a story that I had a vague memory of.  Years ago at a District Quiz, I had more quizzers than treat bags. You should know that the treat bags aren’t award show quality “goody bags”.  It is a snack size Ziploc bag with a some kind of kid trinket and a few pieces of candy.  I had apologized for not having enough treat bags and asked if anyone would volunteer to forgo getting a treat bag and I promised to mail them a treat.  Diane’s son volunteered and I got his address and mailed him a note and a few candy bars.  And I guess that made an impression because a friendship was born.

      Diane called me one day to ask if I was going to M7? (M# is a conference the Church of the Nazarene holds every four years between General Assemblies) “Yes, I am. Are you going?” Diane responded “Yes, there is something I want to tell you before you go to M7” And Diane proceeded to tell me that she had been invited to share the story of God’s grace in her life and it had been filmed and would be shown at M7. And she wanted me to know that the film would reveal that she is HIV+. I don’t remember what I said. I was sad for my friend. I felt humbled that she wanted me to know before I saw the film. In the brief film, Diane sings and tells her story and gives glory to God for all He has done in her life. After the film was shown at M7, I found Diane and gave her a big hug. She said “so…” I said “well, I learned one thing. You sing more beautifully that I thought you could.”

      In early 2008 when I was diagnosed with cancer, I called Diane and told her because I knew she would pray and I needed her prayers and strength.  I see Diane a few times a year at District events. When we talk those phone calls would have been precipitated because of some children’s ministries event. Our conversation will always end with us “catching up on family”.  She will say “how are the girls or should I say ladies?” and I will tell her. And then I will ask “how is your son and daughter”.  And she will fill me in on their lives.  Her son has been serving in the military in Afghanistan and will be home in June.  Yes, we are sisters by different mothers but we have the same Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for that.

      Posted in relationships | 0 Comments | Tagged cancer, friendship, little things
    • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

      Join 783 other subscribers
    • Follow Miss Ann Says on WordPress.com
    • Recent Posts

      • Exploring
      • Dinner with friends
      • Panic to peace
      • An example to follow
      • A mouse in the house
    • Archives

    • Categories

    • 9/11 Tribute Center 911 Tribute Museum Anne of Green Gables Appalachian Trail apple atore autumnal ballet Bill Bryson books Brussels cancer Christmas circus community Concert for New York City Corrie ten Boom counterculture David Bowie Department of State Downton Abbey Dunkin Donuts Facebook faith family FDNY following Jesus friendship frozen meatballs gated communities Halloween heart monitors Home Depot home improvement projects Hope iPhone Japan kid stuff le leche little things love story Mennonite Merchant's House Mr. Spock museum National September 11 Museum NYC pandemic Paris peace peer pressure prayer randomness random thoughts reading list real estate respect Seattle September 11 Shop Rite speaking Star Trek switch plates television telling the next generation terrorism The Whitney tours travel travel thoughts twilight zone walking tours writing
    • latest tweets

      • @goodreads Nomadland 1 week ago
      • Uterine cancer recognized as 9/11 illness, widening scope of World Trade Center Health Program silive.com/news/2023/01/u… 2 weeks ago
      • Declassified: 9/11 Commission Interviews with Bush and Cheney …ing-classification.blogs.archives.gov/2022/11/09/dec… 2 months ago
      • Change in Health Care Companies Creating Chaos for Crews Sickened by 9//11 Attack firehouse.com/safety-health/… 2 months ago
      • Perelman Performing Arts Center at World Trade Center names executive director gothamist.com/arts-entertain… via @gothamist 3 months ago
    • April 2012
      M T W T F S S
       1
      2345678
      9101112131415
      16171819202122
      23242526272829
      30  
      « Mar   May »

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Miss Ann Says
    • Join 135 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Miss Ann Says
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar