Reflection is good for the soul. If someone had described this life to me a year earlier, I would never have believed it. Although a friend’s betrayal stung me to the core and my church’s eventual transition ended the season I called “home”, nothing would compare with my next few months.
Every Monday night someone slept over and watched endless episodes of Little House on the Prairie with me. Unfortunately, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2013, and the disease quickly spread to her brain. There were days when my brother and I just couldn’t take care of her the way she needed. The final straw was watching my mom “eat” a Subway sandwich while the sandwich was still on her plate. She pretended to eat and my brother and I cried. Hospice was called, mom was transported, and we spent two gracious weeks with her until the Lord called her home. My mother loved me unconditionally, prayed for me endlessly, and left me a heritage like none other. This year would be my first Thanksgiving without her in my life. I felt hopeless and alone. Every part of my life felt like it drifted from life to death.
In late June I attended a women’s conference and during intermission got the phone call that I never knew I needed. A good friend wanted to set me up on a date. A few weeks later she invited Clint and I over for dinner. He was so shy and I was so sick from a kidney stone, As I recall, we stood out in the driveway for a few minutes not saying anything. Due to my exhaustion, I simply asked, “Do you want my number because I cannot stand here anymore?”
After a few weeks of endless dinners, movies, and church events, we were smitten with each other. I met his family early October and his dad’s first words were “She is a lot prettier than you said.” Meeting all of his family blessed my soul.
Thanksgiving finally arrived. The temperature chilled the air with family traditions. After the meal, Clint began to get antsy and then disappeared for a long time. When he finally came back, he sat me down on the kitchen stool, got down on one knee, and proposed. Apparently, he couldn’t fine the ring downstairs and almost gave up. I am so thankful that he didn’t.
God knew all along that my family would arrive at just the right time. Only He knew that I would lose my mother only to gain a full house of family members who make every Thanksgiving special.
God gave me a new family way back in June 2014 when I first heard the name Clint Walker. I didn’t know it then, but I would experience a new family Thanksgiving.

Mandi Walker lives in Maynardville with her husband, Clint and their two kitties, Ally and Shelby. Together, they own Walker’s Appliances. Mandi teaches high school special education and is an adjunct at Pellissippi State Community College.