Roger Bennett's Midnight Meditations

Mission Accomplished

My first international trip for the National Marrow Donor Program was successful. I freely admit, though, that the international aspect is quite a bit more challenging than the domestic one! Let's just say, that if not for a kindhearted cabbie, I might still be wandering the halls of the hospital, looking for my destination.

It was a wonderful opportunitiy, though. I had a great time, after my mission was accomplished, to wander through a typical quaint, old European village, and enjoy the sights, the glorious fall colors, and eat some local cuisine (which won't be repeated on a subsequent visit....). The first full day of my wanderings, I spent in a drizzle, and I thought, "How charming it is to walk in the rain in an old European village!" After about 3 hours of that, though, the rain began really coming down, and at that point, I was thinking, "Charming or not, I am just cold and wet now!" While it was still drizzling, I hiked up a STEEP old cobblestone path to a castle, and I discovered that, no matter which side of the ocean you are on, if you are 47 and out of shape, it's HARD to do! Fun, though, anyway.....

I am away for a friend's wedding this weekend. This is a special time, because Roger and I met this dear friend at MD Anderson Cancer Center, following her multiple transplants. She and Roger really bonded, and she is a literal walking miracle. It is so wonderful to see the happy endings to the stories that come from there! I will have a blessed time, visiting with some dear friends.

Thank you all for the extra prayers while I was traveling abroad last week. I did get a slight upgrade on the way over, which was nice, since it is an overnight flight. While not Business or First class, I got extra legroom, and it turned out that I had an entire row to myself. The flight home, however, was probably the worst one I have EVER been on, with 4 sets of screaming children/babies placed strategically throughout the cabin, so that there was literally not 5 minutes of silence during the 9 hour flight home. Wish I were kidding......Oh yes, I also found out that a 3 day turnaround is not sufficient to catch up to all of the time zone changes. Live and learn, enjoy, and stay happily

In His Grip!

Debbie

On the Road (or in the air) Again....

Monday the 13th marks the first day of a 6 day jaunt on my first international courier trip for the National Marrow Donor Association. I will be in the US until Tuesday evening, then head out with precious cargo in hand. It's an 11 hour nonstop flight, so I am praying for an upgrade! Seriously, it would be wonderful, but if it doesn't happen, then I am fine with that, too. It's not about my comfort, but about someone else's needs.

I found out that I lost a friend last week, one that Roger and I had come to know during our time in Houston. I suppose such is the nature of making friends at a cancer center, that this outcome is a very real possibility. The pain of losing friends could make a person shy away from becoming involved, but I have to tell you that the rewards are much more wonderful for having known these dear friends. Roger was never a person to shy away from making a friend, any time he had a chance. My natural disposition is to be a bit shy around new people, until I get to know them better. I have found myself having to learn to reach out on my own since he left, and I don't have him to "break the ice" for me. It's definitely out of my comfort zone, but I am grateful to God for giving me many opportunities to practice! It's just another of the ways He has proven Himself faithful.

Thank you for your continued prayers, as I set forth on this new journey. I won't be able to speak the language, but I have a trusty phrase book with me, and I can certainly sightsee in English! I am looking forward to the trip on many levels. One thing I know for certain: no matter where I  am on this planet, I am always

In His Grip!

Debbie

A Lovely Remembrance

I just returned from Arkansas, and the first annual Roger Bennett Memorial Concert Series. It was held near his hometown of Strawberry, in Batesville, and I would first like to say thank you to Citizens Bank there for sponsoring the concerts. Rarely do you find a bank that is willing to do so much for Gospel Music, but this bank really goes above and beyond. They even took a bus to NQC this year!

Friday night the concert was with Legacy Five, and Saturday night Greater Vision was there. Both concerts were great, and it was so good to have Roger remembered in this special way. Of course, much of his family was in attendance, too, and it was good to see and visit with them. I know it was hard on them. Two years ago, at this very time, Roger sang there for his Homecoming. It was his last full concert, before he went to Houston for his 3rd transplant, so there were lots and lots of memories in that concert hall. It was the first concert many of our family had attended since his death, and it was an emotional time, but I think everyone held up pretty well, and again, it was wonderful to hear all of the nice things being said about Roger. Once, again, it brought to mind just what a very, very special person he was, and what a huge legacy he has left behind. I know his dad was especially honored to know that Roger was being celebrated in this way.

All of the family is doing well, for the most part. We are all just plugging along, waiting for Fall to decide it is here to stay. The trip down and back was beautiful, with lots of new colors peeping through. I have picked up my first international courier trip for the Marrow Donor Program. I leave in about a week, and will be gone about 6 days. Of course, I can't say where, but it will be a 12 hour flight, and I have some more phone training to do before I leave, as the "rules" are different for this type of trip. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers, as I travel. One of the perks of these trips is that I get a couple of days of sightseeing in while I am away, too, so I am looking forward to that.

I just want to close this post by saying a hearfelt thank you to everyone I have had the opportunity to visit with over the past month during NQC, and Roger's Memorial concerts, etc. I hear so many uplifting stories about the impact Roger has made on countless lives, and about the many acts of kindness he performed for so many. I never, never, never will tire of hearing these. He truly lived what he believed. It makes me even more anxious to be where he is - safely

In His Grip!

Debbie