Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Angels Among Us






“When you lose your eyesight you lose contact with things. When you lose your hearing, you lose contact with people.”  ~  Helen Keller
 
I can't imagine losing either one, and I am thankful that God continues to bless me with working senses. 
 
With his permission, I'm going to talk to you today about my  friend, Cecil Kenner, who came in for an aftercare check-up on the hearing aid he purchased last week.  Cecil is 78 years old and went from 250 lb. to 178 lb. in the past eleven months, after his wife died unexpectedly.  They say everyone has a story...  and his is one that shouldn't go without repeating.  As a matter of fact, he repeats it often and it's like hearing it brand new each time.
 
He and his wife had a total of 40 children.  Ok, so 3 of them were theirs naturally, 34 were foster children, and 3 were adopted.  The foster children came and went...  most were infants needing care while the parents were 'getting their act together' and they would return to their parents 5 or 6 months later.  Cecil and his wife would counsel the parents when they'd come to visit the children... and encourage them to stop drinking and fighting so the babies could be returned to their home.  
 
It wasn't always easy.  There were angry children who needed direction and special needs children who needed love.  There were court battles, lawyers, and determination to adopt when it was necessary.  But the Kenners always triumphed and the children were the real winners. 
 
They'd take the children to church every Sunday and in addition to fostering, parenting, and adopting, they would would go to the local orphanage on some weekends and bring children home with them for a weekend visit. 
 
You might wonder how they got into this type of thing to begin with.  Well, Cecil's mother-in-law had in the past fostered over 50 children altogether.  Years later, and after his mother-in-law had passed on, a blue truck pulled onto his road and stopped.  A girl got out of the truck because she recognized the house beside theirs that the mother-in-law had once owned.  "I used to be a foster child there.." she said.  "I remember when I was adopted out...  I didn't want to leave."  
 
"I'm a little down today..."  Cecil said.  His eyes were red beneath his wire rimmed glasses and I could tell he was fighting back tears.  Today was 11 months since his wife passed from this world to the next...  and he misses her so. 

 
 
Cecil's wallet is thick with photos and he's proud of each and every one of his children. 
 
As I said before... I'm thankful for my God given, working senses.  But today, I'm particularly thankful for my hearing.. for without it I would not have known about a beautiful family who gave so freely without expecting anything in return. 
 
God Bless you, Cecil
 
 and you're beautiful wife.  
 
  Until you meet again...

19 comments:

  1. My heart is so touched by this man and his wife's selfless love of children in need! I will be praying for Cecil.... may God give him strength and encouragement and hope today! Thanks Bobbi for sharing his story with us!

    Hugs,
    Jenni

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  2. Thank you for sharing this sweet story of this loving, giving couple. God bless him...I know he misses his wife so.

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  3. What a lovely man, to share his story while he is grieving. He's very special. What accomplishments in sharing love!!!

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  4. What a wonderful man. It good to hear about good in the world.

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  5. In a world that at times seems to be mad, it's great to hear stories like this.

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  6. What a wonderful story, Bobbi!!! Phil has always said that it is so much harder for deaf people in society than for blind people, there is so much they don't get. About the saddest thing there is is for a spouse to die after being married so many years. Time and time again I have seen that once one person passes on, the other one doesn't live very long, they just die of a broken heart, I guess. I love your ad in the paper, it is perfect!!!

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  7. What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing this!

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  8. God bless Mr. Cecil.
    And God bless you for sharing his sweet story with us...I can see why you are so good at what you do - you care.

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  9. Oh Bobbi, I sit here with tears for that sweet little Man who touched your heart and has now touched ours thru you! Thank you for sharing his story of kindnesss! God reaches thru Angels on Earth! This Song is the one I put on my Dad's video for his funeral:) SWEET song to me! BIG HUGS and thankful hearts!

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  10. What a beautiful story! Sending lots of love to Cecil.

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  11. That is a beautiful testimony. I wish we heard more news like that on TV. Thanks for sharing it!

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  12. At the end of a busy couple of days, your post has once again touched my heart and soul...What a beautiful story and what a difference Cecil and his wife made. I so hope he finds comfort and peace in his life without his wife...

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  13. And thank you for taking the time to listen to Cecils story, and to genuinely care about him.
    Thank you for telling us the story so beautifully..as if you painted a picture.
    We will remember Cecil, and pray that he finds peace and for his heart to heal.
    love
    tweedles

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  14. Bobbi dear, I always come here. I may not leave a comment but you never cease to enchant me, either with Gracie's stories, or you own, or like now, Cecil's.
    Love ya!!
    xxxxxxxx

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  15. Indeed God Bless Cecil....
    Finding folks like him and his dear wife is getting harder and harder.
    Hugs Madi and Mom

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  16. Powerful, Bobbi, unbelievably powerful!

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  17. Beautiful story Bobbi. You meet so many wonderful amazing people and I am so glad you share them with us. LJ

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  18. Wow! That's an amazing story! Sounds like he and his wife were definitely angels!

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