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    Virginia's Grace: A Story of Love and Devotion
    Virginia's Grace: A Story of Love and Devotion
    Virginia's Grace: A Story of Love and Devotion
    Ebook183 pages4 hours

    Virginia's Grace: A Story of Love and Devotion

    By Ed Rhymer

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    You would think that any change from our life in Phenix City, Alabama would be an improvement. That was entirely too much to hope for. Any Expressions of individual desires had always been suppressed because of the continual domination by our parents. My brothers and I had lived in a very oppressive atmosphere most of our lives. The only thing we could do was dream and that was severely restricted by being subjected to control of every aspect of our lives. At times being imprisoned would have been a blessing. at least we would have had some semblance of positive organize, in knowing what to expect from one day to the next.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAuthorHouse
    Release dateMar 22, 2013
    ISBN9781481725521
    Virginia's Grace: A Story of Love and Devotion
    Author

    Ed Rhymer

    The practice or habit, if you will, of thinking rapidly to converse intelligently, often leaves too much unsaid. Perhaps the author’s voice is best shown through his writings. That is the intention and hopefully the reader would desire to understand and think, before throwing the book upon the bonfire. After all, experience is the best teacher. And experience begins with learning. Every family has a history. Trusting in your faith, each one of us is required to dedicate ourselves, to the best outcome possible, for the benefit of each member of our family. It is the duty of each family member to protect and preserve the best of each generation as a guide for the future. That is the only way to protect your family and our society from the worst efforts of the dissenters.

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      Book preview

      Virginia's Grace - Ed Rhymer

      V00_9781481725514_TEXT.pdf

      AuthorHouse™

      1663 Liberty Drive

      Bloomington, IN 47403

      www.authorhouse.com

      Phone: 1-800-839-8640

      © 2013 . All rights reserved.

      No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

      Published by AuthorHouse 4/11/2013

      ISBN: 978-1-4817-2551-4 (sc)

      ISBN: 978-1-4817-2552-1 (e)

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2013904577

      Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

      Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

      Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

      The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

      missing image file

      Contents

      Changing Sides Again

      The Exciting New Home

      Fabulous Neighbors

      The Brand New Family

      Transition

      Taking Responsibility

      The Break Begins

      On My Own

      Anchors Aweigh

      Setting Sail

      Next Stop

      Up To Speed

      Shaping Up

      Good Times

      Proficiency

      Ship Wreck

      Tragic Sadness

      Ultimate Training

      Collision At Sea

      It Happens

      Change Of Address

      Limbo

      Searching For A Life

      Unknown Tomorrows

      A Big First Step

      Step After Step

      Going Home

      Really On Our Own

      Allen

      Karl

      Spencer

      Jason

      Erich

      Preston

      And Life Continues On

      Changes

      And Then Some

      Tomorrows To Go

      Introduction / Foreword

      The Blessed and The Damned essentially spanned the early years of our family history even though many of the stories and experiences were left untouched. It did not begin to relate the full scope of our lives, the mental abuse we experienced and yes, physical abuses that were endured almost every single day. It is just not possible to bring many of these experiences to mind without cringing from fear. The ghosts are always present.

      Writing a followup or sequel to an earlier work is at the least a significant challenge. There are those who encouraged this endeavor and of course, there are many reasons for undertaking the effort. My case is somewhat different from more prolific writers, in that my writing efforts came along later in life and for altogether different reasons.

      Nevertheless, the usual desires and motivations are ever present in my thoughts. Not the least of which is the story must approach an end. This is especially true when the readers were initially unaware of the facts. When the truth is learned readers often become eager to see which path the characters followed in life. Therefore, an obligation exits which I will do my best to fulfill.

      Most of all, it is because I dearly love my family, my extended family and friends and the innumerable people who crossed our paths over the years and gave of their own time and resources to help, simply because they cared.

      We all have a duty and responsibility to share with others what we have learned from our life’s experiences. Failing to fulfill this commission, which each one of us received with God’s gift of life, would surely endanger your eternal soul.

      Dedication

      Virginia

      This story is dedicated to all those who survived the poverty stricken hardships and misfortunes of growing up and living in a disorientated atmosphere. One where there seems to be little or no caring and especially where any love existing is only through occasional lip service.

      There is hope. There is always hope. The past can be overcome simply by holding on to your dreams, trusting that God will provide for your needs and the opportunity to fulfill those dreams. Continue to keep your thoughts and focus on the future. Those efforts and the results are exhibited in how each of us and those who were most important in our lives made an about face and gained a new perspective in life. Remembering each one and being forever grateful is the finest tribute.

      My individual thoughts often turn to the true meaning of love. There are so many aspects I am not sure anyone really knows what it means, only how it feels.

      In spite of the difficulties in our family, love never faded for our parents even though it was tested many times beyond endurance. Of course, what does a young person know about love? Only the frequency with which they have heard the word used and the circumstances where it has been applied.

      Our feelings were primarily the result of having no one else to rely upon and no other place to go. A state of mind continually encouraged by our parents. This is not to be disparaging of our parents. After all they were functioning based upon their individual background and upbringing. Like everyone of us, whether admitted or not, they guided their family from the experiences they faced in life.

      Wandering through life as many survivors do, without any seeming purpose, happiness finally came my way. As is often the case it is someone else who takes your hand and sets you on the path. Virginia was my angel and my guide. She epitomized every dream I had and she possessed every trait my fantasy imagined. God had surely been listening to my prayers.

      Virginia taught me what life was truly about. The years we shared were the richest, happiest and most fulfilling I could have ever hoped to enjoy. She made life worth living for me and through the grace of God, favored me with a wonderful family, to whom I am completely devoted and will forever cherish.

      Six sons: Allen and his wife Amanda, Karl and his wife Ioana, Spencer, Jason and his wife Linda, Erich and his wife Amy, and Preston and his wife Courtney. Six granddaughters: Logan Elizabeth and her husband David H. Odom, Laramy Anne, Candace Marie and her husband Alex L. Lopes, Anca Corina, Shelby Grace, and Ava Grace. Seven grandsons: Stephan Allen, Corey Bennett and his wife Amy Jo, Calin Mihai, Brandon Nicholas and his wife Meaghan Elizabeth, Nathaniel Karl, Cameron Austin, and Jordan Quinten. Also, as this book goes to the publisher, one great-grandson: Wyatt Thomas Rhymer. Of course, the two granddaughters and the two grandsons have chosen wisely for their life partners. Without question, I am sure the remaining grandchildren will choose equally well.

      Life is a wealth of experiences but, we begin and end with family.

      Psalm 127, KJV.

      Disclaimer

      How can you disclaim responsibility for telling the truth? Every effort has been made to relate and describe experiences and the information developed during research, in a clear and unquestionable manner. Certainly no intentional harm is meant to any member of my family or any of the other individuals mentioned in these pages. The people and places mentioned were very real. The experiences actually occurred with very little embellishment involved. Only a few names have been changed to protect those individuals from any unfavorable reflections upon their dignity and character. I do not mean to cast aspersions upon any individual or make allusions regarding anyone. There is nothing hidden within the writings and therefore, no inferences should be construed about any person or experience.

      Section I

      Changing Sides Again

      Chapter 1

      The Exciting New Home

      You would think that any change from our life in Phenix City, Alabama would be an improvement. That was entirely too much to hope for. Any expressions of individual desires had always been suppressed because of the continual domination by our parents. My brothers and I had lived in a very oppressive atmosphere most of our lives. The only thing we could do was dream and that was severely restricted by being subjected to control of every aspect of our lives. At times being imprisoned would have been a blessing. At least we would have had some semblance of positive organization, in knowing what to expect from one day to the next.

      Augusta, Georgia turned out to be not much more than a change of address. At least it was a whole world away from Phenix City. The address Mother gave me was 963 Broad St. This was an old three story building in the downtown business district of Augusta. A delicatessen occupied the street level area. The staircase to the upper floors was

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