This past week has been amazing! In so many ways I feel blessed, but at the same time I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Good things rarely come without a bitter taste in the end. I'm just praying it doesn't.
On Thursday, April 24th I got what seemed like a random phone call at work after 2 pm. I really thought it was a junk call, someone just looking to sell us something. The caller (Taryn Phillips-Quinn) claimed to be from Woman's World Magazine, and I didn't have a subscription so I figured it was some kind of joke. Turns out it was no joke. A research editor from the magazine was calling to ask if I'd be interested in my story being told. I told her I was and she asked to set up an interview date via phone. So Friday I waited for the call at 10:30 and lo and behold! It was real! After a 1 hr interview I was told I would hear something by Monday, Tuesday at the latest. That she would type up the article and the Chief Editor would say yes or no. I then did my best to go about my weekend, though definitely in a daze.
On Monday I waited by the phone. I babysat that thing. Taking it from room to room with me. I even turned it up as loud as the ringer would go so I could get my shower in before work. I stood in the shower listening for the phone. I think that's where I just felt ridiculous. I was losing it over a phone call. So, I prayed. I just asked God to please use me. If it was His will that I get the magazine article that I would use my story to lift Him up. But that if He has something else in mind for me, that I would be ok with that and I would let His will be done. I felt much better after that. Much more resigned.
I began to pack my lunch and get ready to leave when my phone rang and it was my sister. I thought I was going to have to tell someone that I hadn't heard anything and that I would call when I did. That's when I got the craziest news I've ever received. And that's saying a lot for my family LOL The local library where my surprise party took place had called to say that a rep from Channel 7 news out of Detroit, Mi wanted to air my story! An interview on camera! I was still packing my lunch and needed to walk out the door but I just stopped moving and started screaming OH MY GOD!!!! My husband pretty much came running to see if I was ok, or if it was one of the kids. When he saw the situation he asked me if I got the magazine, and I told him, no I got a TV piece!!!
I finished packing my lunch as fast as I could because I really did need to get into work. As I'm walking out the door my phone rings again and this time it's Colleen Clement! The executive producer at Channel 7!!!! Colleen flat out asked if they could interview me and my family and would I be ready for Tuesday? The next day? No way, but Thursday for sure. I talked to Bill before I set it in stone and we started getting ready that night.
The spent the rest of Monday waiting to hear back from Woman's World. I never thought the call would come anyway so I just kept telling myself it would be ok. I didn't need a magazine to tell me what I've done. I didn't. But I was starting to get a little heartbroken.
On Tuesday I followed the same pattern as Monday. Waiting to hear back and telling myself I could handle the rejection when it finally came. I went to work and I did the same thing. No one asked me if I got it. I was glad for that because the call never came. I sent the editor a letter that night thanking them for their time, and told them I was flattered regardless of the fact that they had clearly rejected the article. I told them I had some consolation with the up coming tv story and I asked if they could please send me the article anyway so I could add it to my weightloss momentos. I was sad, but I would live.
Wednesday we got up and started to do our usual morning routine, clean and run to the grocery store. I needed to finally buy a bra if I was going to do this interview. I've been wearing nothing but sports bras since the fall when my breast size was reduced to nothing. I had tried on several sizes but nothing fit right. I felt deflated. So here I am, at a local grocery store trying on bras. I felt like crying. Nothing fit and everything showed how my breast tissue was damaged. I had just given up and was returning a bra to the rack when I heard my phone ping, indicating an email. I ignored it thinking it was junk mail and checked Google for bra sizing and then went to my mail app to delete the junk mail. That's when my heart stopped and I went full panic mode in the store.
I GOT THE MAGAZINE!!!!
So I'm standing in the front of the store gaping at my phone. Reading over and over again the words, "As a matter of fact, we ARE going ahead with your story!" I started to cry, and I could clearly hear a favorite song overhead. I remember so long ago hearing it and praying for God to help me. To take my pain and make it something beautiful. That song spoke to me. It seemed like for once God had answered me, like He was right there telling me it's ok. You've done well and here is your reward. Make me proud.
I started trying to call my husband's phone, but in the store it had no tower signal so I went running up and down isles trying to find him and our kids. When I did find him I'm sure I looked like a mess. He asked me what was wrong. Clothes shopping is a bit frustrating for me and I can cry when I do it. I managed to tell him somehow that I got the magazine. He looked a bit taken aback. I'm sure he felt the same as I did, that it wouldn't happen. But boy were we wrong!
Well, here we come Channel 7 action news! I'm gonna be plastered all over the place!
Just use me God. Help me to help others <3
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