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Today I thought about all the beautiful things in life we have to be thankful for that surround us each and every single day. As usual, I start each morning with prayer when I thank the Lord for the blessings of His love and forgiveness; for His son Jesus Christ; His sacrifice on the cross and for His resurrection; for our family and friends’ health and for the healings we’ve experienced in our lives; I thank Him and ask for God’s blessings on our precious children’s and grandchildren’s lives, for their safety and their happiness.

As my prayers continue, I thank Him for how He has shown Himself to me throughout my life in miraculous ways; for the most wonderful parents I could have ever asked for; for bringing my Billy and I together as a couple and then for making us a family, for Billy being a Christian man … a man who was all man – strong and brave and a soldier in the U.S. Army having served in Vietnam, a man who loved his “brothers and sisters,” our country, our flag and his undeniable faith. He was an inspiration to me from day one and to countless folks around him until the day he transitioned to Heaven.

I lift up people who are dealing with serious illness, widows and widowers whose hearts are broken and I pray that our Father will send angels to comfort them. I prayed for a lot of people and things as usual every day, but especially for a very loved family in Wanchese who had just suffered the loss of their wife and mother. I thought about how beautiful a person Missie Dejarnette was and how she will ever be in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Talk about a love story … talk about love for God, her children and her devoted husband D.J. I only saw them together one time and their love was so strong. They were each other’s inhale and exhale. At 2 p.m. I watched the live feed of the service/celebration of Missie’s life which took place at Wanchese Assembly of God. The church, as expected, was full, with many standing in order to be present to honor her life.

I didn’t know Missie well, only having been around her in the hair salon Always Stylin’ where she worked as a stylist, but I can tell you that just observing her at work, her interactions with others and her Facebook postings told me a lot. This beautiful young wife and mother was one of the most incredible people I have ever known. She deeply loved and cared for everybody, she prayed for their healing, she gave everybody around her a mental and emotional boost and even while she suffered herself, she generously shared her hope and faith never giving in to fear. I don’t think Missie realized what a legend she had become in the community of Wanchese, especially, and Manteo, too. Missie set a spiritual example for all of us – to be bold in showing love for God regardless circumstance. Bottom line: she wanted to be “like Jesus” and there is no doubt she met her goal!

Everyone! Remember Mr. Eugene Snead, our very popular and loved N.C. driver’s license examiner? Please try to attend this important event in his memory: The 7th Annual Eugene Snead ALS Awareness Walk. It will take place this Monday, May 22, 2023 at 9 a.m. Mr. Snead’s widow, Peggy, who loved him so dearly, has invited everyone who is able to help raise funds and awareness of ALS. Participants will meet at the Marshall and Gussie Collins Walkway in front of the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center, Manteo 27954. PLEASE WEAR RED. All donations can be made payable to the ALS Association North Carolina Chapter, and mailed to: Virginia S. Tillett Community Center, ATT: Sandy Pace, Director, 950 Marshall C. Collins Dr., Manteo, NC 27954.

I apologize I didn’t have Gig Line in last week’s paper; my laptop went bonkers and I had to have a new hard drive installed. In fact, I’m borrowing a good friend’s computer right now. But rest assured, I have lots to share with you all next week!

Until next time, be healthy, safe and happy! For official veteran-related help, please call our Dare County veteran service officer Patty O’Sullivan, who can help you determine VA eligibility, file a VA claim or assist you in requesting a duplicate DD-214 and more. She can be reached at her office at 252-475-5604, her cell at 252-473-7749 or her email at patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov. And If you’d like to contact me, please do so at 252-202-2058 or email me at giglineheroes@aol.com. For previous Gig Line columns, go to giglineheroes.com or thecoastlandtimes.com.

I love you all! Thank you for your service and sacrifice and for folks who are like Missie spreading love, hope and faith, God bless you! I’m 72 years old but when I grow up, I hope to even come close to showing His love like Missie did! Stay tuned!

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