Well, after the Anxiety Attack on 6/14, and a week off from work, I'm back, but my hours are cut way back to only 15 hours a week (per my doctor).  I work every morning except Sun and Mon from 11 to 2.  It's betterl  My Napoli's family is wonderful, some need God in their lives really bad, and I hope I can be the one to bring Him to them; they all seem to really like me, and even have said they loved me, so I'll let God shine through me.  I had an opporunity to say something to our bartender, 22 years old, seems like he may have had a troubled past.  He's got tatoos from head to toe, but he's respectful toward me.  I told him today that it seems like God is calling many of His children home these days, and the world is getting worse.  I asked him if he was ready...he said he hoped so; he looked sad, so I gave him a hug and told him "I'm here, if you ever want to talk."

Yesterday, I wrote an email to a friend here on MC, and it was so therapeautic to get it out there, I thought it might even help me more if I really got it out there to all of you...your encouraging comments would be appreciated!  LoveLeigh

My Daddy                                                                                                                               June 23, 2001by Leigh Maria Thomas My daddy, William McBroom, was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Being in the Navy, and stationed in Iceland during the Vietnam War, he did not face the enemy face to face, but he did face the wrath of the liberals about the Vietnam War (like we are facing today) and it had his blood boiling. He taught many marines, and according to my older brothers (I was just a baby), they truly respected him. He was 79 years old when he passed to Heaven, but the toughest battle he fought was this last 5 years against melanoma, which usually takes it's victims quickly. In early April, when my dad was in the hospital to get IV treatment, etc., my husband and I, my oldest full brother (my dad’s first born son) and my mother were there when the doctor came by...he talked to us first, outside the room, then he went in and my dad's eyes were open and filled with hope, eagerly awaiting the news there was more they could do...He wanted to be about his Father's business, saving lives, eternally. Unfortunately, the doctor had to say there wasn't anything more that could be done. There were tears brimming in his deep hazel eyes, but they still were so alert as he reached out his hand and firmly shook the doctor’s hand and said, "Thank You." It was amazing to see my dad so graciously, so heroically accept his final orders...to go home and get hospice and be comfortable. He did just that.  The next day, the last words I got to say to my dad before we left for home in Oklahoma were, "Daddy, I love you and I'll see you in 2 weeks; if not, then I'll see you in Heaven." He again had tears in his eyes and said, "I love you, too..." and as I was preparing to leave, I heard him say, "I can't wait to get there..." I turned back and said, "Daddy? What did you say?" He didn't open his eyes again. I knew what he said, and I knew why.  

Two weeks later, during an early morning dream on Monday, April 13th, I had a dream, and I saw my dad as strong and healthy as I always saw him. I called later that morning and got to talk to him and tell him I loved him. He said he loved me too, his voice so very weak. I said, "Daddy, I had a dream this early morning that you were all strong and healthy!" Dad got choked up I guess and the phone got back into one of my older brothers hands, William McBroom, Jr.  I told him about the dream, too.

The next morning, Tuesday, April 14th, God took my daddy home, during his sleep...answering one of my prayers, that daddy would go in his sleep, painlessly.  The dogwoods were blooming, the trees were leafing out, flowers everywhere...what a wonderful time of the year to begin his new eternal life.  Hey, the same time of the year Jesus went on to His Eternal Life.   I cried, of course, for the first day, then God filled me with an unbelievable, uncontainable joy; When we got to Hot Springs, I think many of my family members couldn't understand why I was so...together. I KNEW where my daddy was!   After my husband and I set up the memorial table and selected the music, we said our goodbyes to daddy there at the funeral home; mainly, me. Derek wanted to remember him the way he did...alive and strong. He looked so peaceful, like he was just asleep, and I just wanted to wake him up...but, I just cried and said goodbye.

Afterwards, we left and went to Lake Ouachita State Park. While there, I went to the ladies room. I don't know if you've ever been to any state parks in Arkansas, but they are gorgeous. This ladies room had high ceilings and 2 beautiful skylights. I could look up through the skylight and see a newly leafed elm tree, blue sky and sunlight filtering through the leaves. It was beautiful. It was right there, in that room, no-one else there, where I sang my final song to my daddy...Amazing Grace. The acoustics were incredible. I know God was with me because I've NEVER sung better before. I know why...it was because I was singing from my heart, for an audience of two...My Heavenly Father and my daddy, who always wanted me to sing for him. 

LoveLeigh