Blast from the past

The phone rang as I was just getting the shake and bake chicken ready for the oven.  "Hello?" I answered, busily wondering who it could be.  "Hi" said a soft voice, "this is Carla".  I knew right away who it was, but haven't heard her voice for at least 10 years.  This girl is distinctive, she and her sister were one of the many kids enjoying a kids club we ran out of our inner-city church  all those years ago.  Carla had found refuge for a night at our house, when her grandmother had too much to drink and threatened to punch her lights out.  She was different, soft heart and perseptive, honest and helpful.  Her sister too, though more tougher exterior but bright smile and "go get it" attitude.  We stayed in contact for awhile...they left up north, back to the reservation and to potential abuse, suicide, depression, lack of schooling.  They'd pop in once in a while to say hi and play with the boys (toddlers then).  We left for Burma and that was it, out of sight, out of mind for years.  Until today.

She came over.  I watched her as she shared with me about those years inbetween.   Her smile the same, soft ways, soft voice  but 23 now and still persevering.  She finished highschool, only 7 of them out of a starting class full.  She created a kids club up north, of 96 kids and 24 staff.  She has a loving and devoted boyfriend, and has plans to get married.  She has strived to keep clear of alcohol and drugs.  Her sister is a reservation policewomen getting respect but also scorned as part of the "law" that people fear up there.  They are survivors and thrivers...I knew they were different, we connected and saw something that would set them apart from the rest.  Many of their friends died back then pre-teens snuffing out their lives without a hope.  Carla and her sister determined not to be one of those statistics, and not only to avoid that trap, but to make a difference.  Not without pain and struggle but to stand against the tide and hurdles.  I am sooooo proud of them, I told her that and I want to see them continue to press through.  Thank God, Carla called today.