Page 61 - July ONLINE VERSION

Perspective My mission in

Breech

life is not merely

By April Riddle to survive, but to

My Ma came out butt first and from I am proud to be my mother's child In her home I was able to see her
the very beginning knew that life and see things from a different example of honoring her husband, thrive; and to do
could be viewed from more than one angle. I tend to believe true kindness disciplining her kids and studying her
angle. In her younger years, Ma's is displayed more by what we don't bible to grow closer to God, not just
individuality was often seen as do than by what we do. Let me to check it off her to do list. In my
rebellion and frowned upon by her explain. When I first became a heart, Carol's kindness came across
parents and educators. If I were to believer in, and follower of the not in what she did do as much as so with some
be honest, while I loved the fun and teachings of Jesus Christ I was a what she didn't do. She didn't judge,
freedom in her artistic approach to chain-smoking twenty-something gossip, demand, try to fix, or
life at home, in public it could be stay at home mom. I kept my kids manipulate. She slowly, prayerfully,
embarrassing. I sometimes resented and the house healthy and clean, but came alongside me, shared what
that she just wouldn't, or couldn’t, be I had a mouth like a trucker, a she knew and let me see how she passion, some
"normal." fondness for gossip and a bit of a lived. I am a better person for having
temper. I had a conversation with known her and will forever be
God in my living room but had no grateful for the kindness she showed
Entering the church family or Christian friends. me.
Then I met Carol. compassion,
world backwards,
I needed transportation, Carol had a
gives life a car and a heart to help. She began
picking me and the kids up once a
different week for appointments and what not. some humor, and

perspective I'm a talker so I shared, she listened
and could relate some of her
experience with my circumstances.
Ma went to dance with the angels in
2016, but before she did, we came to She encouraged me to read, pray some style.
and fellowship, but didn't scowl and
April Riddle is passionate about
a place of mutual love and respect community outreach and leads an
for one another that left room for us point out all the things I'd done or online women's bible study. Riddle
both to just breathe and be was doing that didn't line up with started the Bible study during the
ourselves. We were kind to one what she was coming to believe was COVID shut down to stay connected
another. God's will and his way. during a time of social distancing.
Writing is her creative outlet and MAYA ANGELOU
After a while Carol invited me to her
I came to understand that more April's s proud to begin utilizing it as a
times than not, kindness is home, introduced me to her family paid intern for ZGP Magazine.
determined by how you look and and invited the kids and I to visit
what you say or do. often with no time restraints.

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