With a Little Help from Friends

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” ~ John Donne

Sharonda Wilson and her son, Stephan Wilson, were both scheduled to graduate universities on May 4, 2019, after completing their degree programs.  They encountered an obstacle since Sharonda was graduating from Ferris State University, with a bachelor’s of science in business administration, while Stephan was earning his degree of fine arts in Music Theater from Central Michigan University. 

Stephan happened to have a casual conversation with a friend the day before graduation that had an amazing outcome.  “I told a friend of mine that [my] mom was skipping her graduation to be with me, and she used her magic to help Dr. Davies orchestrate that moment.”  His friend works in the President’s Office and told President Davies about the situation.  With just a few hours until graduation ceremonies were to take place, Davies made a very important phone call and decisions were quickly put into action.

During the ceremony President Davies called Stephan and his mother forward and Stephan was handed an additional graduation cap for his mother.   After explaining the situation, Davies announced, “I made a call today when I found this out, to David Eisler, the president of Ferris State University, so please pay attention.”  Stephan put the graduation cap on his mother and the president continued, “By the virtue of the authority vested in me, by the state of Michigan and the board of trustees, I confer upon you, Sharonda Wilson, the bachelor’s degree that you have earned, with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto.” Dr. Davies then concluded, “Please move your tassel from your right to your left.”  The attendees cheered loudly for Sharonda and Stephan, who greatly appreciated the kind gestures of the day.

On May 5, 2019, Jessica Robertson, 30, of Pittsburgh and 37 year old Laura Mazur, of New Bremen, Ohio, participated in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.  It was the 6th marathon for Mazur and the first for Robertson.

Up until the 14th mile marker, the runners had never met.  Mazur had been lamenting the fact that she would probably be the last place runner in the race when the two realized they were running at the same pace.  The two ladies began to run the race together, encouraging each other along the way.  At the 25 mile section there was a large crowd cheering for the last two runners.  It’s what they needed to inspire them to complete the last 1.2 miles.  At mile 26, Mazur reached over and grabbed Robertson’s hand and said, “Let’s go!”  The ladies have been described as not the last two runners, but rather FINISHERS in the race!!

During these days, I, too am in need of help from new friends/doctors as well as long time family and friends.  God is using your prayers, thoughts, expertise, advice, words of encouragement, notes, hugs, and other kind gestures to bless me and lighten the load on this journey.  I, too, am a grateful recipient! 

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.

3 John 1:5

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2