God Winks

Around 7:20 yesterday morning when I arrived at my classroom, there was an 8 x 10 brown envelope propped on the door handle.

On the front was written: To-Hannah Mc. Gillenwater From- Kaci.

I could hardly wait to see what was in it. (I love good surprises!) As soon as I got settled at my desk, I opened the envelope to see what I had acquired. When I opened it, I found a nice white mat board with an opening already cut in it. But there was a clean white sheet of paper under the opening. I lifted the top mat to remove the paper and to my surprise there was this awesome picture of my dad. Immediately the flood gates opened, for Kaci Campbell had captured Dad at the 2004 National Storytelling Festival engaged in conversation with someone (I'm sure).

What is so unique about this photo is that it only shows his sturdy, scarred left hand on his knee with his foot propped up on his 'cobby' trunk (which was personalized--DOC MCCONNELL in his handwriting with a black magic marker and stored all the 'goods' from his show). He is wearing his old two-toned, thin soled Medicine Show shoes that he said he could tell if a penny was heads or tails if he stepped on it.

How many times in my life have I witnessed this very same pose? Hundreds of times, I know as we traveled the USA 'healing the people' along the way--maybe not with legit medicine but with laughter and nonsense. Those days are gone and can only be visited through videos, tapes, CD's, memories and of course, photographs.

Thank you, Kaci, for being a blessing vessel. I know that God winked at me to reassure me that He's right here with me, holding me tight, when He prodded you to send me that photo when you did. Thanks for listening.

I will cherish this gift for the rest of my life. (Hopefully, Maggie and her children will, too.)

Note: I took a picture of a reprint of the picture to show here...It does NOT do it justice. You'll just have to visit Gillenwater Manor to see it for yourself.....