I did a blog this last week about Dixie and Harry Myers. I took parts of this blog and used it on that blog. But, this is the complete blog and has more personal things.
One of my favorite Christian songs is the song “Thank You” by Ray Boltz. The reason why it is my favorite song is because it pretty much covers how thankful I am for the people who have and are a part of my life.
I am also a firm believer that everyone has pivotal times in their lives that has made them the way they are. Dixie and Harry Myers has got to be one of my top 5 pivotal moments. The song that perfectly describes how much the Myers impacted my life.
Our family moved to Willcox, AZ when I was in the 8th grade. That would have been right around 1978. We moved around a lot because of that. There were times when we would come home from school and the moving truck was loaded and we were gone. Usually we never knew when we would leave or why. So what are your life defining moments? When we moved to Willcox,AZ it was no different from any other place in my mind.
We weren’t allowed to talk to others about what was going on in our home. Most of the times we didn’t know why we would just pack up and leave. Talking to others about what was going on in our home was out of the question. Even to this day I watch what I say to friends and family members when it concerns my younger years.
Out of all of my siblings I was the only one that made it a point to go to church. What’s sad is that I would have to manipulate my parents in order to go to church and to some school activities. Going to church was the only thing that gave me peace and hope.
The Willcox Church of the Nazarene was about 2 miles if that from our home. Since I was in cross-country, track and field, basketball and volley ball, I would make it a point to go out and run. Basketball was not my strong point, but it was a way of getting out of the house. Going to church was the most important thing in my life.
A number of years ago I made it a point when I went to go visit my parents to stop in and see Pastor Harry Myers and his wonderful wife Dixie. I wanted to go see them so I could thank them for being there for me. The Myers family were like my family. I don’t think they realized that they literally rescued me. Their daughter Diana was a good friend of mine. I would love to see her and sit down and tell her just how much her friendship made to me.
When I went to see them, I explained to them what was going on in my home and just how much they meant to me. They both had tears running down their face when I told him how bad things were in my home. My younger sister Joyce actually had it worse than did. I had a big mouth and I would threaten my parents by telling them that I would let EVERYONE know what was going on. She was more passive and wanted to please. I won’t go into just how bad the abuse was for us because this post isn’t about abuse.
I honestly believe that God knew we needed to be saved. Because of the Myers I feel like they saved my life. Harry Myers mom Mattie Bennett would come and get me from my house. We talked about what I needed to do so I could go to church. Man, I loved Mattie. Because of her, I write poems. I wish I had some of the poems she wrote. But, she would come and get me on Sundays to go to church. I knew I couldn’t ask my parents if I could go. I had to plan an escape in order to go.
Mattie made sure to come to my house about 30 minutes before church. I already knew that in order for me to go I would have to do all of my chores in order to go. It wasn’t just my chores, it was everyone’s also. I would wake up early so I could get them all done. It’s sad that a person has to lie and manipulate in order to go to church. But, it was important to me.
The reason I was able to go to church and other activities was because my parents needed to save face, so they let me go and in order to go I had to keep my mouth shut or I would be paying the price when I got home. Harry and Dixie Myers gave me more than they could ever know. Harry, Dixie, Diana and Evelyn welcomed me into their family. The same for Mattie.
When I look back and ponder the defining moments in my life, I have to because of the Myers and Mattie change my life for the better. I had no real role models growing up. I don’t want people to think that I didn’t love my parents, but the truth is that there are some people who never should have kids and they were one of them.
As I was thanking Harry and Dixie when I finally reconnected with them, they felt guilt for not seeing what was really going on. I told them a little bit and there was times that they literally saved my life. They changed my life for the better.
I told Pastor Harry that when he made the announcement that he and Dixie were retiring. During that sermon he said that he felt that his sermons weren’t helping people. I don’t know what made him think that. As I quietly sat in the pew all I could think about is how much he meant to me.
One night when my dad decided it was OK to take out a loaded gun and try to kill us all, I ran to the church sobbing. It was all a blur to me. My grandpa Davis packed up his things and was running away from home. As I ran to the church in tears, grandpa was just walking and felt numb. He didn’t know where he was going, but he was done with it all. All I could think about is that I needed to run as fast as I could to the church.
This was on a Wednesday evening. Pastor Harry and Dixie was preparing for the evening service. I was hysterical and the Myers let me into the house and they talked to me and comforted me. Pastor Harry made sure to stay with me. Dixie Myers gave me the motherly hug I desperately needed. I don’t remember much more since I was so emotional over everything.
James 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Harry and Dixie showed by example that even when we are facing difficult challenges, we can experience happiness and peace because we have made it through, even though when the hardships are painful. James made it clear that God uses all things , even negative ones in our lives to help us grow. We may not like the trials we are going through, but they are necessary for us to grow in our faith.
Dixie Myers also taught me how to be a better person. Not just a better Christian, but a mother. She didn’t realize that I was watching her. The way she was with Diana and Evelyn was ingrained in my heart and mind. I knew Cheryl, but she was at school at the time so I didn’t know her as much as Diana and Evelyn were. I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to Diana and Evelyn about how much they have both blessed me and helped me become a better person and Christian. I want to thank Diana, Evelyn and Cheryl for sharing their parents and for being friends.
I spent so much time at their house that I felt like I should have the last name of Myers lol. After that argument my parents decided that it was best to just let me go to church and the Myers. I think they were afraid I would tell people too much. Anyhow, Dixie in my heart and mind was the perfect example of who I wanted to be as a person, parent and Christian.
Diana was a good friend of mine. We spent a lot of time together and did things are church. She sang beautifully. There were times where she would meet me at the corner of my street since it was a half way point and then we would walk back to her house. Evelyn was the middle child and painted. She would also pick me up to go to church. When I seen the interaction Dixie had with Diana and Evelyn, I couldn’t help but be envious.
When Evelyn announced on Facebook that Dixie went home to be with the Lord and Harry, it was bitter-sweet. I have no doubt in my heart and mind that they are with the Lord. My heart sunk, but also rejoiced. She loved Harry and the Lord so very much. She loved her kids, grand-kids and all of those around her. When my husband and I went to Willcox so I could sit down and talk to them in person. I told her that it was because of them that I express the love I have for my own daughters. I didn’t hear that growing up. But, I did hear it from Dixie and Harry.
I am eternally grateful that they served the Lord. I am so very grateful that they took the time to show me how important it is to love those around me and to love the Lord. I don’t want to even think about how my life would be now. There is a verse in the song “Thank You” that says it all.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
When the song says ‘I’m so glad you gave”, it makes me cry. If it wasn’t for the many people who God put into my life, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I want to take the time to thank all of the Myers and Mattie for changing my life for the better. I want to thank for giving to the Lord.
Please take the time to listen to the song. When I listen to the song, I close my eyes closed and it’s as if I can see myself stranding before the Lord.
I could write an entire book when it comes to just how much love I have for the Myers Family. Harry, Dixie and Mattie will always hold a special place in my heart.
Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless 