Oh, What a night!
Oh, what a night!
In my mind, I have too many irons in the fire. Students, that is what my Daddy would tell me when I wanted to do a dozen tasks at once. I can still hear his voice from beyond the pale. It warms my heart that we stay connected in eternity. Yes sir I am ever so busy. It’s my modus operandi. God made me this way. Like I said, I’m back! ALS will not champion my spirit just as SMA will not stop Addi’s Erie Adventure! The night of October 14, 2023 may have been Spooktackular but earthly and heavenly Angels were present in every shape and form.
This was the third annual Haunted adventure for people like Addi and me. It all began because of a precious young lady who loved Haunted Houses but couldn’t find a handicapped accessible one. So with a lot of love and support we celebrated number 3! The first Angels of the evening were our good friends Michelle and Beth. They can go from saint to insane when directing traffic. Parking is a serious affair when dealing with big, handicapped vehicles. This was the third year they kept everything flowing smoothly. The greeters were a wonderful group of Christian men who were our own Secret Service getting us all to the event safely. You guessed it, more Angels. They made sure each of us made it safely out of the vehicles and into the venue and departed safely as well. Angels all around.
Addi and I had been discussing costumes for quite awhile. She had decided that she wanted to be a doctor. She was decked out with her coat and even had an official name tag. She was a cardiologist, Dr. Addison. I got my good friend Shaynnan who does my costume. I usually call at the last minute but she always comes through. Another Angel! This year I decided to be an alien. We created a cool outfit that no one really knew who or what in the world I was. On top of that, under the umbrella it was like I was in a fish bowl without air or water. People were talking to me and I talked back but they could not hear me! I think I was even called a ninja turtle from outer space! After Ben poked a hole where I could talk and breathe, we were having a blast.Pinkie up, Ms.Alley! Inside joke my former students! I was so happy to see Ryan and Erin former students still just as sweet as ever. Just the fact that they were able to make it brought tears to my spaceship, fish bowl became foggy. Seeing them grown up and doing great brought tears to my eyes. All of God's children have purpose. Some have greater purposes larger than we even can fathom. Talking to Erin's mother made my heart squeeze because I know God put me exactly where I needed to be once again. not from behind the podium teaching but in the middle of the party with my precious students. Angels. Oh what a night!
As Ben and I entered the gym, that is when the emotional roller coaster began. space I saw so many people there just to give love to us. There were Disney princesses and characters as well as some of the scariest witches I’ve ever seen! Shout out to my loving and dependable Jackie! Everyone was smiling. On the other end of the gym there was a big screen with a DJ and a few people were brave enough to go out and dance with the dance team from our Middle School. After a few songs it was full of love and laughter and families of people like us loving life and enjoying every breath that God has given us. That's the secret: we don't always choose the cross we get in this life but the more beautifully we wear it the brighter Christ shines out of us. I saw a lot of my nieces and nephews and shared treasured time with my 12ft pal! Love you my Cinderella and Garden Fairy! They were just as beautiful as ever and always
smiling. I remember those days before ALS and I know they do too. We still have so much to share and they have shown me how to carry this cross.
We had a really spooky area, and I mean spooky. There were little children sitting and crying after going through it. The secret was that I had never been into a spooky house before because I am a scaredy cat. The opposite of our Addi! We squealed and were spooked to pieces. She loved every bit of it and I was telling Ben, “Punch it let's get out of here!” It was just another one of those blessings that I am so glad God let me be a part of and I hope to continue until Addi and I put on our dancing shoes in Heaven together. The whole thing was done out of absolute love. Without money, without price. Just come. all you had to do was come and enjoy this beautiful, spooky, dreary night with about 300 of God's children. Next year don't miss it.
Even Though Addi and I love this time of year we often get too cold. My good friend Melissa suggested having the haunted house indoors this year. Good job Charlie Brown! The Parks and Recreation let us use our beloved Neighborhood Activity Center where most volunteers had made an abundance of childhood memories. The day was such a spooky, drizzly day and if it had been outdoors like the prior two years it would not have come to pass. I'm sure there were little angels whispering this to her as we planned for this year. I can't begin to thank all of you individually because they're just so many. If you have a child in your family that goes to DCHS and graduates in May 2024, please have them apply for the scholarship in honor of Addi, CURE SMA Scholarship. Last year she picked a person who was going into special education. This year who knows! but probably the medical field or special education that's up to her! I can say that we love you from the bottom of our hearts and from the tip of our toes and we will be ready to feel the love again next year!
Sarah Anderson Alley
Sal the Blessed Gal
Quotes of the Day
“I got another rock.” Charlie Brown
“Both Genesis and science say that the universe is geared to supporting human life. But Genesis says more. It says that you, as a human being, bear the image of God. The starry heavens show the Glory of God, yes ; but they are not made in God’s image. You are. That makes you unique. It gives you incalculable value. The galaxies are unimaginably large compared with you. However you know that they exist, but they don’t know that you exist. You are more significant, therefore, than a galaxy.” John C. Lennox
- -- Posted by juliehilditch212 on Sat, Nov 25, 2023, at 9:14 AM
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