Three years ago, around this time of the year, I flew to St. Louis to watch my nephew Tyler play in a state tennis tournament in Springfield, Mo. He did really well, and we had so much fun. One night, we even had a good time eating at Lambert’s Café, The Home of the Throwed Rolls in Ozark, Mo. The restaurant specialized in southern home- cooked meals and waiters who threw hot rolls at the customers. Ha! I guess that old line from the movie “Christmas Story” -- “Ralphie, you’ll shoot your eye out” -- would have been a good warning for Lambert’s Café. They got sued shortly after we were there because someone got hit right in the eye with a toasty bun.
Then on our way back to St. Louis, somewhere off I-44 near Phillipsburg, we stopped at an unbelievable candy store and gift shop. I was overwhelmed with all the bins of different goodies at Redmon’s Candy Factory: gourmet chocolates, 20 flavors of homemade fudge, 70 flavors of salt water taffy, all kinds of bulk candies, including my favorite Caramel Creams.
But what was even more fascinating to me was a beautiful black woman leaning up against the doorway waiting for her companion. I didn’t want her to think I was a stalker or some kind of bigot, but I couldn’t stop staring at her. I was drawn to her for some reason. Eventually, I just said, “I hope you don’t think I’m too forward, but you have the most gorgeous hair I’ve ever seen.” She thanked me, and eventually we both left the mammoth candy place.
I didn’t see where the woman went. But as I was waiting outside for my family, a car backed up right in front of me; the stunning woman got out of the driver’s seat.
“I grew up in Ohio,” she said. I guess she had noticed my Ohio State sweatshirt. “I’d like to give you this.”
Suddenly, she was gone as quickly as she had appeared.
But there in my right hand was the story of Arlene Blanchard, one of the survivors of the Oklahoma City Bombing on April 19, 1995. Twenty-seven years earlier that beautiful black woman leaning against the doorway had been a military recruiter in the Murrah Federal Building when Timothy McVeigh committed the deadliest act of home-grown terrorism in US history.
And in the summer of 1995, my sister and I stood along the fence that was protecting the Murrah building’s rumble in Oklahoma City, praying for the one hundred sixty-eight people who were killed (19 children ) and the 684 who were injured. It was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had. There was complete silence in the middle of that bustling city. Were my prayers for Arlene that day? Did God hear me? I hope so.
You may enjoy listening to Arlene tell her own fascinating story on this Easter weekend. I have inserted a link here to the video. I have watched it and read her pamphlet many times over the last three years for encouragement. When she was in her darkest moments after the explosion, she cried out to God; and He led her to Jesus on the cross.
I was still standing outside the candy shop with my mouth agape in complete wonderment when a car with two older women pulled up so close it almost nudged me. When they got out, they volunteered excitedly, “We’re on our way to see Jesus, but we thought we’d stop for a snack first.”
I didn’t know if I were on a sugar high or having an out-of-body reaction to meeting Arlene. I was completely speechless for a moment.
“Oh,” they laughed. “We’ve got tickets to see the musical Jesus at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson, Missouri.”
I smiled, relieved, “I saw that last year at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, Pa. You will love Jesus.”
I’m not sure, but I think God was trying to tell me something that day. I wish I knew for sure. Perhaps like Arlene and the two older ladies who invited Jesus into their lives, we can all become members of His amazing family if we ask -– and be drawn together in the weirdest places.
It’ll Be OK.
Happy Easter xoxo
~*~
“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” ~ Jacque Torres
Jan, that is a beautiful story. It is so amazing what a chance encounter can bring. Thank you for sharing. It definitely touched my heart. 🙏🏻
Hi Jan. I loved your meeting with Arlene. I worked at WMart in OKC and Arlene used to shop in our store. She is the nicest person you would ever want to meet. So pretty, too. Saw her once in a TV ad here and had no idea she was involved in the bombing. I prayed for her a lot. Last night she was on the Those Changed Forever doc after the bombing ceremony. I cried hard for her. Again, she is so kind and pretty. I miss seeing her at the store, as I retired due to health. TY.