Picture taken 10/29/97

Deb and I were anxious this morning for we have been waiting out the employment game. A telephone call scheduled at 10:00am held the promise for us of an answer to many prayers. We sat and sipped and devoured that heavenly manna from Okarche. Little did we know that the answer to our prayers was coming in another direction. One that in truth is the real reason we pray for God’s Blessing.

The morning proceeded and 10:00 approached. We did not venture far from the den and the conversation centered on small talk. Finally it was 10:00 and the phone rang. It was the call we had waited for. The telephone interview lasted over an hour. Deb sat attentively trying to make sense out of the one sided conversation she heard. It was very positive and we were feeling pretty good.

As I attempted to add the other side of the conversation for Deb, our focus shifted to the rest of the day little knowing the blessings really instore for us. One of our favorite outings is to trip to Okarche for lunch with Bill and Irene. We decided to give them a buzz and attempt to invade their lunch. Irene informed us that a bowl of chili was menu of the day. We’re gone!

Thinking again of our employment dilemma, we stopped in Edmond to pickup a job announcement, grab a drink and roll on to Okarche. The drive was pleasant as always. The rain that persisted for few days had ceased. The air was clean clear and crisp. The conversation consisted of the usual. We talked kids and bills and opportunities.

As we traveled down Waterloo Road the clouds became most magnificent and unusual. We both commented on the beauty and unique pattern that the clouds formed. The first signs of the heavenly delivery. They were as if angle’s wings were upside down and right side up and all rolling with joy and lightness for the coming blessing. We shared the same opinion that neither of us had ever seen such beauty in the clouds. We were in awe.

The trip made a hundred times before somehow seemed different. Perhaps the freshness following the rain. Or the new signs of life in the winter wheat. Or the smiles on the cattle knowing that the weather is about to change. Whatever it was, being with my luvie and feeling alive was especially good.

We arrived at Bill and Irene’s home to the usual warm hugs and greetings. It’s a special place for me filled with a comforting warmth and sensation of peace. We sat down to wonderful bowl of chili and the normal talk of the quality of life that onions bring. Deb’s thoughts were of grandchildren and the prospects of having to wait awhile for the pleasure. Irene commented that granddaughter Gena had invited them to see the home she had moved her family to in Kingfisher.

With lunch finished and the kitchen tidied, we decided to hop into their car to see Gena’s home. Just as we entered the garage Irene turned to Deb and said, "I want to show you something". I followed Bill, who followed Deb, who followed Irene into Bill’s workshop. Stopping just inside the door, Irene pointed out three beautiful little ANGELS that were positioned to welcome us as we entered. They had brought us to the place where God was to deliver via his angels the blessing that will enhance our lives forever. Not the blessing that we had made our priority, but one that transcends any value in worldly terms.

We spoke of the angels before us. Irene explained that they were gotten in Texarkana at her sisters house. I was taken by their pose and their striking smiles. Little did we know the joy resting there was about to spill forth.

The telephone rang. Irene answered it then quickly said, "Just a moment, Deb". Deb standing towards the southcenter of the room took the receiver. "Hello". Silence for us, as we watched her facial expression and total physical demeanor change. She said, "What". "Where are you?" "Shawnee!". My mind raced. Something of significance was happening and we all could sense it. "Who is it I asked?" "My daughter!" Deb exclaimed in a throughing voice. "What’s happened? Is Kathy hurt?" I remember saying. "No!" Deb said stunned. "It’s my little girl!" A sudden shower of awe and excitement and bewilderment filled the room all at the same time. The blessing that was God’s answer to all our prayers was delivered. In the presents of angels with the joy of the angels written in the clouds.

After directions were exchanged, the brief conversation that will last a lifetime was over. Deb was truly overwhelmed. The day we had silently waited for had arrived. All the blue January 15th’s had melted away forever. We attempted to regroup and reorganize our plans. Deb suggested that we return home immediately. With our thank you for the most powerful bowl of chili in the universe, we departed for home.

The drive home was long and short. We talked of expectations with speculation. We talked of the mechanics of the situation. We talked of the sudden swoop into grandparenting and of welcoming a child home. Mostly we just tried to breath.

Home seemed more exciting than when we left. We were pumped! We were home around 2:00 or 2:30pm. It seemed like ten days before the car pulled into the drive way. Deb said, "They're here!" And proceeded to the front door that was already open and ready to receive. Down the front steps two women came and then paused after the last step. Deb opened the door. With increasing passion she hurried out, smiling and silent until they embraced. Lori’s eyes beamed.

You could sense a little hesitation but her courage and desire to meet her mamma pressed her forward into the embrace. In that instant three decades of worry, concern and searching concluded. "My little girl!" were the only words Deb could muster as she hugged and held Lori into the house. My emotions were intense as well. Lori was the little friend inside and a part of the woman that I loved so many years ago. She has been in our hearts and in our prayers for oh these many years. The reuniting of mother and daughter felt more like a comfortable reunion of old loved ones. The closeness of spirit between mother and daughter was evident.

We completed our hugs and welcomes and moved to the breakfast bar to continue with the conversation. It was pointed, warm and respectful. Serious questions with serious responses extended with the softness of love. Lori related to us her life long quest. Deb related to the desperation and sense of loss she felt in her decision to release Lori.

Sometime within the period of entering the door and sitting at the bar we were introduced to another angel that had come into our lives this day, Mrs. Dana Delozier. Dana was instrumental in providing the help and support that Lori required to accomplish her mission. I only recall hearing her first name during the introduction. This proved to be another interesting piece to the blessed puzzle that was about to unfold.

The talk focused on Lori’s health and her decision to undergo surgery that was scheduled shortly after Christmas. Deb said with no hesitation," I want to be there!" Lori responded with love in her eyes, "You are so sweet." They sat across the bar from each other soaking each other in. Like two lovely flowers soaking in the sun.

Deb asked, "Why were you in Shawnee? You were at Saint Gregory’s weren’t you?" Dana answered, "Yes. We were there visiting my son Matt." We thought that Matt was a student and knowing Kathy’s familiarity with the students we asked, "What is his last name?" Dana responded, "Delozier." We were stunned.

Lori had lived with Dana And Matt in their Tulsa home for about a year and considered Dana a second mom and Matt as a brother. Deb and I explained that Matt Delozier was

a friend and that he was a very close friend of our other daughter Kathy who was at Saint Gregory’s. Matt was Kathy’s leader and captain of the Buckley Team in Kathy’s freshman year. Lori added that they had made the call from Matt’s office to Okarche after finding the first Rund name in the Phone book, Bill and Irene Rund. Dana had to call Matt and convey the news.

I was excited about the whole conversation. My excitement spilled over into wanting to share this blessing with all our children. First, Kathy was called in her dorm room. No answer. We left a message to call the home ASAP. The second call was to Christy in Mannassas VA. She answered and we told her that she had another sister and that she was at the house. She immediately broke into tears of joy and wanted to talk with Lori. Third, we called Tony in Hattisburg MS and he answered. We informed him of the blessing that we were experiencing and he too wish to speak with Lori. We knew that Paul was working and requested of Tony to call him and inform him of the blessing.

Kathy called us back when she returned to her room. We explained to her the happenings of the day. She wanted to talk with Lori and then set out to find Matt Delozier. An hour or so later Matt and Kathy arrived together and enjoyed the remainder of the evening with us.

During the continuing conversation several interesting twists surfaced. When leaving Saint Gregory’s campus after visiting with Matt while on their way to our house, Dana and Lori passed a young girl bent over tying her shoe and being left behind by the other girls who were running. I believe Dana said that she made a comment to the girl. I any event they noticed each other and by way of that the first meeting of two sisters. As the conversation continued, Kathy realized after learning Lori’s last name Rourke that she had placed a call and had actually talked to Lori and her husband Sean to secure a donation for Saint Gregory’s athletic program. Two sisters unknowing crossing paths.

The evening was delicious. During the final hug of the evening Deb refused to let Lori go. "I don’t want to lose you again." she proclaimed. The evening passed entirely too fast. Lori and Dana were off to Tulsa. We were excited. We were ecstatic. We were pooped. We went to bed. It was a real pleasure that night to say our prayers for the safe RETURN of our daughter Lori. The completeness of the blessings of the day were wondrous, delightful and fulfilling. Our last and most exciting thought as we retired was that Lori returns tomorrow!!

Pete Pickett