SATURDAY STORY - APRIL 3, 2021

 SATURDAY STORY - APRIL 3, 2021

(Becky’s birthday - I love my daughter!!!)

In keeping with Holy Week and Easter, I’ll adapt my story to the theme!!!

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Pam Tilman had a bad year - a REAL BAD year.  COVID had hit her family hard.  Her parents, both in their 80s caught COVID - and went downhill quickly and died.  She was unable to see them (except by web cameras and Zoom meetings), and even for the funeral, there was only a funeral director, a minister, and an internet streaming camera-man.

Tom, her husband, had lost his job in April 2020.  Tom was a work-alcoholic as an insurance regional manager and without work, he sat on the sofa and became a Zombie.  When she was out at the grocery store one day, he killed himself with his hunting rifle.  (Such a strong, loving man, driven by work, was finally devastated by a tiny virus).  

Their children, Todd and Amy were teachers and had to do twice as much work for the same pay because of the COVID pandemic- so they taught about half their students online and half their students in the standard classroom.  Todd was in Lacey, Washington, and Amy was in Greeley Colorado

Pam was the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs for Weston University, in Butte, Montana.  Like other academic institutions, the enrollment was down as students stayed home and some just dropped out.  Others opted for local community colleges to keep their costs down.  On February 15, 2021, the Administration announced it was closing Weston as of June 30, 2021.  Pam knew about the decision but had hoped that somehow, someway, they could continue.  The administration had funds to hire a human-resources firm that would assist people in finding new academic positions.  

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Pam was quite a success story in her own right.  Her mother was a member of the Blackfoot (or Blackfeet) Tribal Nation.  Her father was a teacher, then principal, then superintendent of schools for Browning Montana - the headquarters for the Blackfoot tribe. Pam was a teacher and then a community outreach leader for the tribe.

Pam and Tom met at Montana State University.  Pam and Tom each taught a few years before marrying.  They taught in small towns mostly in Montana, although they did cross the border and taught at Kersey, Colorado for five years - while Tom went to nearby Northern Colorado State University for his Masters and Doctorate in Educational Administration and Pam taught.

They stayed in Kersey one more year while Pam got her master’s in English and Educational Administration.

Then they moved back to Montana - Tom took a job as an Assistant Principal in a middle school in Great Falls, and Pam took a teaching position in Power Montana.  But, after ten years there, Tom got tired of being an administrator and started selling insurance with State Farm and worked up to being a regional manager.  Pam still found it hard to believe that such a wonderful, hardworking, and positive man could fall so quickly when he didn’t have work.  All the positivity in the world went for naught as that downward spiral pulled him into depression and eventually suicide.

Now, at age 58, and without a job, Pam also found herself fighting some depression.  But, almost like her husband, she was a workaholic.  She had a semester to finish, and some tough questions to analyze, some academic papers to write (for a new job, she would need to show herself as a qualified academic).  

But, Pam was a positive thinker.  She kept busy - and found without a husband she could get to the gym more, to more of the Weston University events, and be more active in the community.

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So Pam Tilson balanced a life that was devastated by COVID, and her college closing with enthusiasm and an upbeat attitude.

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The Human Resources company found some great jobs for Pam.  In March alone, she did eight first phone interviews and three-second phone interviews.  The schools seemed to be interested in an experienced and successful administrator (who was also a woman and a minority).  Two of the school were checking references and were planning on-campus visits for Pam as a finalist for their positions.  

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But, God intervened in a surprising manner in a matter of days.  On Good Friday, she received a phone call from an old friend in Browning.  The President of the Blackfoot Community College in Browning was retiring and would Pam consider bringing her expertise and drive back to her native community.  It was a position that Pam really wanted (and eventually got).

(And, she would accept and make a very strong positive force for Native Americans)

*****

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 19:11 

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

*****

Sure, this is a Pollyanna story - everything works out so well.  Optimism is good - expecting good things in your life is valuable.  Don’t give up!!

There were people I knew that would say “The only good Indian is a dead Indian” or “They are all alcoholics or too dependent on government handouts to be any good”.  I go back to the concept - we are all created in God’s image!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!

Karen