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Ryder, Barbara, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice
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We had the pleasure of enjoying a very special visit this afternoon with a precious lady named Barbara. Ms. Barbara has already reached 80+ years in age but is as spry and sharp as someone decades younger. She is a mother of 4, grandmother of 16, and friend to many. She still works at UAB and loves her job. She has no plan of retiring anytime soon. She is phenomenal!
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Choice, Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Barbara
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We shared a wonderful lunch with Barbara at a favorite local restaurant, Golden Rule BBQ. She was born and raised in Birmingham and recalls eating at Golden Rule BBQ when she was in grade school. At that time, it was located across the street. In more recent years, they have moved locations, however they seem to have maintained their stellar reputation and devout regulars...like Ms. Barbara.
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| Shiloh and Barbara |
The staff at Golden Rule BBQ are not the only ones who adore Barbara. The kids and I instantly had a soft spot for her. I was so touched by the way she was moved to tears immediately upon our arrival.
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| Ryder and Barbara |
We sat to eat and before we could even order our food, all of the kids were begging to sit next to her. Shiloh won out but it didn't take long for Choice to sneak in and ask Ms. Barbara to play him in a game of tic-tac-toe.
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| Shiloh, Choice, and Barbara |
Then Ryder made his way over to give Barbara the pictures the kids had drawn and colored for her.
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| Ryder and Barbara |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, and Barbara |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, and Barbara |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, and Barbara |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Barbara |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Barbara |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Barbara |
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| Ryder, Choice, and Barbara |
Tate was able to squeeze his way in to point out which of the pictures were his creations.
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| Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Barbara |
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| Barbara and Tate |
Barbara assured the kids that she would take these pictures and hang them in her office, which is currently decorated in angels, elephants, and the color purple. I smiled as she discussed these three favorite things. Angels, because the kids like to think of Andrew as their angel who is always watching over them. Elephants, because we began collecting elephants after Andrew's passing because"elephants never forget". And the color purple is the color for firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, Barbara, and Tate |
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| Ryder, Choice, Barbara, and Tate |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, Barbara, and Tate |
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| Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, Barbara, and Tate |
The kids gave Barbara her very own be better band and explained to her what they mean to us and where the message originated. Without hesitation, Barbara slipped the band on her wrist.
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| Barbara and Ryder |
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| Choice, Barbara, and Tate |
In addition to the delicious food...
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| Shiloh |
the company we shared at lunch was second to none.
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| Choice, Barbara, and Tate |
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| Choice, Barbara, and Tate |
Before we left, Barbara shared with us how much the tragedy on Yarnell Hill impacted her and moved her to action. She too experienced a loss a few years back (her youngest son passed away as a result of a brain tumor). Knowing her love for angels, it was natural for her to bless our lives in the form of an angel. Barbara worked with a designer in Arizona to create angels for each of the 19 families. They had 19 purple stones and the firefighters first name printed over the heart.
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Ryder, Barbara, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice
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Ryder, Barbara, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice
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Catholicism is a staple in Barbara's life. As a matter of fact, she was headed to mass following our luncheon today. Whenever she gives away angels, she first has them blessed by her priest at church. The angels she had delivered to our families were no exception. They were all individually blessed by her priest. How beautiful it is not only that she thought to reach out and act upon that prompting, but that she went above and beyond to make it extraordinarily special.
Her thoughtfulness knows no bounds. She had another special surprise for us today. She had pendants of St. Michael the Archangel made into necklaces for each of us...
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Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder
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Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder
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It was time for Barbara to head off to mass. Because of her caring heart, she also picks another gal up every Saturday who needs a ride.
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| Ryder, Barbara, and Shiloh |
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| Juliann and Barbara |
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| Barbara and Shiloh |
Before she left, she embraced each of the children and told them that they are loved.
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| Barbara and Ryder |
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Shiloh and Barbara
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| Tate and Barbara |
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| Choice and Barbara |
Ryder assisted Barbara to her car. It was a tender moment as you could see them leaning on one another. My mind raced as I took in that sight and thought of how they have each served each other in their time of need.
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| Ryder and Barbara |
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| Ryder and Barbara |
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| Ryder and Barbara |
Tate ran over to join Ryder, stating that he too wanted to be a gentleman.
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| Ryder, Tate, and Barbara |
Thank you so much Barbara for an unforgettable afternoon and for teaching us what it means to go above and beyond when serving others. It isn't about rushing through the process so you can check that off of your "to-do" list. Just as Barbara had the angels and the pendants blessed, it is about the heart that goes into it. God bless you Barbara...I know He knows you well.
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Ryder, Barbara, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice
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Before leaving Birmingham, for the second time on this trip, we made it a point to stop by Vulcan Park...the must-see landmark in this city.
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
The Vulcan Iron Man statute stands as the highest point, said to be watching over and protecting the town. He also stands as a representation of their town being built on iron and steel.
Right when you enter the grounds, the massive statue demands your attention. It is an incredible work of art and craftsmanship.
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
From the park, you have a beautiful view of Birmingham below.
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| Tate, Choice, Shiloh, and Ryder |
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| Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
While I was enjoying taking in the sites, the kids had one thing on their minds...climbing the tower that is the base for the Vulcan Iron Man.
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| Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate |
The entrance and the stairwell had an old and weathered rock face. Made it look even more powerful and intriguing.
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| Tate, Shiloh, Juliann, Ryder, and Choice |
The kids were ready and anxious to climb all 157 stairs to the top.
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| Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh |
And...THEY ALL DID IT!!! Without any complaints or breaks.
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Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Choice
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They were more willing to allow me to take in the view from there. I'm not sure if it's because they were equally mesmerized by the magnificence of it, or if they were dreading the long hike back down the stairs.
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
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| Ryder, Shiloh, Tate, and Choice |
Instead, they opted to take the elevator on the way down. LAZIES!
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| Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder |
A really neat museum accompanies the iron man statue. Just look at the entrance...
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
When the kids saw the gears displayed on the wall, they wanted to show off their guns of steel.
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
We learned about the founders of the town who worked themselves to the bone with iron and steel.
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| Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh |
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| Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh |
We received additional education about the Vulcan...
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| Choice and Tate |
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| Choice and Tate |
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
And the museum concludes with a look back into the difficult history of Birmingham.
We certainly had a packed day and it was time to get back on the road. Naturally, this was the only suitable way to get back to the parking lot...
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Ryder, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate |
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| Shiloh and Juliann |
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| Shiloh, Choice, Juliann, Ryder and Tate |
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| Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
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| Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder |
May we stand as strong as the Vulcan for those whom we watch over and protect.
May we serve as selflessly as Barbara; genuine and heartfelt when performing acts of kindness.
And may we all remember to look for ways to continue to SPREAD THE BETTER.
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