"You Were On My Heart All Night."



Last night near the very end of my shift at the Campground store, a young woman from TX came in to see if we had any tent sites left. We did, and so I asked her if she wanted it for one night or two. She said, "Well, I guess I should call my husband to find out." So they decided one night and I assigned her the site closest to the parking area. They had driven a lot of miles that day and since our tent sites are walk - ins (the campers park in the small parking lot and then walk their gear in), I figured the less walking they had to do, the better. As I was writing out her permit, she asked me if I knew how far Royal Gorge Bridge is from here and I told her. I gave her the directions and told her that while we have been in Colorado so many times, we hadn't yet had a chance to see the bridge. I told her that we have children stationed here, so this job we have for the summer is a Godsend for us. As I was beginning to explain where their campsite would be, and the "bear aware" speech that we give to everyone, she said, "So tell me more about your children. Is it your sons that are here?" She looked surprised when I said it was our daughter and son in law. (It's hard for people to believe daughters serve too - I think this is ok, but I find it kind of amusing that everyone looks surprised...and I don't bat an eyelash). Anyway, she asked me about Laurie and Stephen and I told her about how we will soon be doing another guardianship of Kasey. I told her how we should be used to it after this length of time, but that when they are separated because of their service, it's my goal to make things easier for them all - THEIR separation is harder on my heart than anything.
She asked me my name and I told her....then she reached out, shook hands, and said "I am Jessica - it's nice to meet you Sue." With that, her husband walked in, and she told him that "Sue and I were just having a great conversation about her children....they are in the Army."
I thanked her for her interest, and to enjoy their stay here at the park.
This morning, being off today and not feeling well - a sinus thing, or allergies - I was sitting at the table catching up on my emails at 9 am. Still in my jammies, and drinking my second cup of coffee, I saw a van pull up with tent gear on top and in the back. I knew it was Jessica. I ran to check to see if I looked as bad as I thought I might look (hair was neatly in place and my face was clean :) and Ron hollered from outside, "Sue, you've got a visitor!"
Indeed it was Jessica. I apologized for my appearance and she said she had just come to say goodbye and that she will keep our family in her prayers. She had gone up to the store to look for me but they told her I was off today and they sent her down to our site.
And then she said, "You were on my heart all night long."
Little does she know what that meant to me - and how we count on those prayers I know will be offered from this young woman who until last night at 7:20 pm was a total stranger.
Thank you, Lord for a stranger named Jessica. now a friend whom I may never meet again.
But I'll remember her as one of the greatest blessings of the summer.