WE WAITED 40 YEARS FOR YESTERDAY'S APPOINTMENT

“Mrs. Henderson, would you be interested in helping our school next door with their book fair?  We’d like to inspire students to write and wondered if you’d be willing to host a Meet An Author session.”  

It was billed as a gala evening with students, parents, teachers and a few authors, even a story-teller.  I gladly agreed.  Last night was a grand success as I talked with several budding authors.

In preparation, on Monday I asked Doug, “Any idea where my box of writing is stored?”  After searching we finally found it!  As I plundered through magazines and newspaper pieces, I found this:

Almost 40 years ago I had written the editor of Raleigh’s News and Observer about recent news.  Unable to recall the details, I Googled it and read about Delta Force attempting to rescue the 52 American hostages held in Iran.  The effort ended in tragedy with helicopters down and death to our soldiers.

I gasped, realizing my next door neighbor, Dennis Wolfe, was a member of that special forces group.  I knew he was part of Operation Eagle Claw.  Doug saw him later yesterday morning, “Dennis, got a minute to come over?  Kathy has something for you to read.”

He sat across from me yesterday on our sofa as I handed him the yellowed clipping.   


"To the Editor:

Not since soldiers like my dad returned from World War II have we felt such pride in our country and gratitude to God. The events of the last 14 months have had one positive effect--unity for our country. 

The true heroes, however, are the eight noble men who gave their lives in the rescue attempt.  Each made the conscious choice to risk his life to save others and our national honor. Their families are to be admired for their continued patriotism, even in their loss.  Such brave men throughout history have endowed us with our precious freedom.

Kathy Henderson
Jan. 28, 1981"


He read silently then grinned hugely, moved by my patriotism even back then as a young mother of 3.  He met my eyes and I said, “Once again, I thank you for your service.”

“Can I get a copy of this?”  he asked. Doug took it to our copier.  We both realized this was not just a coincidence but a divine appointment, almost 40 years in the making.  He shook his head adding, “You never imagined when you wrote it that we’d be next door neighbors, did you, Kathy?”

“No, but God did.”

Then we spent the next hour just talking about His hand in our lives, weaving the tapestry, bringing us into the persons we are today. 

DENNIS: one of 6 kids. . .few jobs in his small Pennsylvania town. . . fresh out of high school, enlisting in the Army.  Three recruiting stations stood in a row, before him.  He reached for the Navy office.  Out to lunch.  Then the Air Force door.  Locked.  Third try was Army.  He shared the twists and turns of life that seemed random at the time but led him into becoming the military’s point man for dismantling weapons of mass destruction, whether atomic, nuclear or chemical.  Awards. Medals.  A building named after him.  Four U.S. Presidents he’d protected supporting Secret Service.  

Dennis Wolf's Story of Military Valor click here

 

KATHY: young mother of 3 just beginning to write. . .Jack Williams, Contact editor, her mentor. . .Navy brat of an officer. . .her daddy instilled deep patriotism in her heart.   
News of fallen soldiers moved her to write the newspaper.  Unknown soldiers.

Daddy as a Naval officer

Daddy as an enlisted man

But yesterday I heard first hand from one of those soldiers who DID know them and grieved back then. Together we grieved again almost half a century later.

“Dennis, do you think God had this planned all along?”

“Absolutely.  I used to think things like this were coincidence.  No more.”

Dennis (in black) took a trip with us recently to Hamlet Train Depot and museum.
Friday we're going back for the buffet again!

We enjoy our new neighbors. Dennis and Corlee Wolf joined us for our Christmas Open House and he helped Doug place our Nativity.  Next day, he called out to me, twinkle in his eye, "Hey Kathy!  Last night my OCD kicked in and if those wise men are supposed to be coming from the East, we got it wrong." (Strategic planners never quit!)

"It's OK, Dennis.  Theologically they're also a couple of years early.  You and Doug can get it right next Christmas!"



Yesterday still holding the newspaper clipping and copy, we talked heart to heart about God’s hand in our low points, prayers we’d prayed, miraculous answers beyond all we asked or thought.

“Doug, I can almost picture God watching this all play out today, slapping his knee with delight, as we discovered the appointment He planned so personally for us 40 years ago!”

What a mighty God we serve!

"My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them" (Psalms 139:15-16