An Unforgetable Birthday

posted on Jun 01 by Linda Beck in the Guest Authors, Linda Beck category

When I took my handicapped accessible van to show my brother, he programmed in the Christian music stations. I don’t listen to the radio much, but of course I wanted to see if the one in the van was playing okay. While listening, I discovered that the Gaither’s were going to be in concert at Myrtle Beach the first weekend in October which happened to be my birthday (62 and still counting). I emailed my friend, Donna, in New York and told her I might drive to the beach by myself to see the Gaither’s. She emailed me right back and told me she would love to go with me and would pay for the tickets and also for the room and gas. I wasn’t aware that she was a fan of the Gaither Vocal Band.

Family and friends were concerned about the four-hour drive and how it might be too tiring or dangerous. Well, Donna was brave enough to go with me and before we left we prayed for safety, gave thanks for the weather, the van, and our friendship. Due to antibiotics and prednisone, I had been sick on my stomach and I also prayed for a settled stomach. Donna and I left the restaurant in Salisbury at 10:30 am on Friday, talking all the way. With a full tank of gas, no stomach problems, and God’s blessing, we drove to Myrtle Beach without stopping. We followed the directions right to the motel and arrived almost exactly four hours later. Since we never stopped talking, I didn’t get sleepy, tired, or restless.

At the first glance of the ever-present ocean, the gorgeous hibiscus and other flowers everywhere, and with a warm October weekend, I began to praise God. We were within just a few blocks of where the performances would be and lots of folks were walking. I could have ridden my scooter, but Donna couldn’t walk that far. When we arrived at the first performance on Friday evening, I had never seen so many wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers in one place. Elderly people walked quite some distances with walkers and everyone seemed to be so excited about seeing the Gaither’s in person. As Bill Gaither said, we all felt like his “old friends.” We really watched them on the two big screens. I guess we could have seen it closer and clearer on PBS television, but there is something about being in a group of Christians hearing people sing and praise God.

I don’t really like to be in large crowds too often because of all the trouble in our society today. But Christians worshipping together were in good fellowship and harmony. When the concert was over, people filed out carefully and courteously helping others as they left. It was a beautiful balmy night and we just sat in the van watching as the traffic flowed out. There was no horn blowing, road rage, or the things that happen in so many large crowds. We decided to wait in the parking lot until the line cleared out.

Once again, one problem I had not thought about was the parking of the ramp van at the motel. We had to park a couple blocks from the motel, but a member of the staff had followed us to the parking space with a golf cart, and took Donna and our luggage back to the motel. That night when we returned to our parking space, I offered to let her out at the motel, but she insisted on staying with me. It was after midnight and I noticed a man standing on a corner smoking a cigarette. As we moved towards the motel, he headed in the same direction.

This might have scared some old ladies like us but again, I don’t live in fear. When we had to cross Ocean Boulevard, I noticed him watching traffic until we safely crossed the street. Though he was not in uniform, I asked, “You are a security guard for Dayton House, aren’t you?”

“Yes I am.” Was that neat or what? God sent us an angel to guard our way and we retired for the night. God is good all the time! I could hardly believe what an easy night I had. I went to sleep about 1:00 a.m., woke up for the bathroom about 4:00, and wrote for awhile about our trip. Then I relaxed and went back to sleep until about 7:00 a.m. That is so amazing compared to getting up three and four times a night at home. Even though the room is handicapped accessible, the bed was low enough that if we were staying more than a few nights, I would have needed help getting up.

We had a great buffet breakfast and the second show was to start at 10:00 a.m. so off we went. It was a great show and lasted two hours. The one on Friday night had lasted three and a half hours. This time rather than waiting in the parking lot, I bravely moved into the flow of traffic so we could go out by the ocean for awhile before the next show at 6:00 p.m.

The weather was so perfect for October 3^rd. I used the opportunity to get in an outdoor hot tub for the first time in a long period of time. I’m an outdoor person and it was just such a beautiful day. Using the handrail, I got in fairly easy as I do at the YMCA. I knew I would have trouble getting out, but I told Donna I wasn’t worried because I knew God would send another angel to help me. Sure enough, it wasn’t long until a young good-looking muscular man joined me in the hot tub. As the two of us enjoyed the warm water and a nice breeze, I said, “Look, Donna, I told you God would send me an angel. I bet this young man will help me get out.” And so he did!

After our day in the sun, we went to the Sea Captain’s House for dinner. I was telling Donna about some of the times Joe and I experienced in Indiana when we first got married. A lady at the next table heard part of the conversation and asked if we were from Indiana; she was. We talked awhile and when Donna told her I had two published books, she immediately asked if she could buy “My Sanctuary.” She happened to be a caregiver of the disabled; once again I was amazed at how God had His hand in that meeting. She followed us out to get the book and I showed her all the “bells and whistles of a conversion van.”

We went to the final show at 6:00 p.m. and it lasted until 10:30 with only a fifteen minute break. Though at first it had seemed the tickets were awfully expensive, we realized the Gaither’s and their ministry was worth it. This had been one of my greatest adventures in a long time, and I rediscovered what fun is.

Because of the perfect weather, Donna paid for another night, so Sunday we relaxed by the pool again. Even though she had already paid for the trip, Donna insisted on giving me a birthday gift to open; inside the card, she gave me an additional gift of money. I tried to refuse anymore, but she insisted that I not deny her a blessing. I told her later that I would use that money to buy gas when I went to Greensboro to speak to a multiple sclerosis group. I sat out on the beach walkway and wrote this trip journal to add to others in the events of my life. I often wonder why God didn’t allow me to be born at the coast. I finally figured that out. It wasn’t His plan for me because He knew if I had grown up at the ocean, I would probably never have left there to travel in His name. I would have been one of the worst beach bums ever!