The Special Family Connection® Podcast

Negative to Wonderful; Sonny, Frances and the Livingroom Campout

January 25, 2021 Debby Wells Season 2 Episode 3
The Special Family Connection® Podcast
Negative to Wonderful; Sonny, Frances and the Livingroom Campout
Show Notes Transcript

"Whatever good or bad fortune may come our way, we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value." Where can you start?
"......Then with tears in their eyes and holding hands, they told the girls the rest of the story.
You see, they said, we have no money, and the utility company will shut off all our power. We love you girls so much that we did not want to be sad and stressed through this; we wanted to show you instead........"

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In the novel, Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse  (Hessa) wrote, "I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way, we can always give it meaning and ""transform"" it into something of value."

Sonny and Frances had 3 daughters, 15, 13, and 7 years old. They loved their girls with all their hearts, and all they ever wanted was to make sure their girls felt happy, safe, and loved. Sonny worked long hours to build a business with his friend and partner. Frances put her heart and soul into making a home for the family and making ends meet on a very tight budget. She taught piano and worked odd jobs that would allow her to be home when her girls were home. Things were hard while the business was growing, and all the money was being reinvested. The family pulled together to save wherever they could, and even though things were hard, they were happy. 

A company truck and thousands of dollars of tools, materials, and supplies were purchased, licenses acquired, and plenty of work started rolling in. Things looked good, and Norris and Brenda felt their dreams were coming true. One day, Sonny's partner called and told him that their business truck, all the new tools, and materials for upcoming jobs had been stolen. He assured Sonny that the police had been called, a report filed, and insurance had been contacted. Days then, weeks went by, and Sonny did not hear from his partner. He called, and the phone was never answered. He would go by his partner's home, and no one would come to the door. Sonny called the police and insurance company and found no report or claim had ever been filed. Sonny and Frances did not know what to do. The bills would soon be insurmountable, they had no income, and the friend and partner they thought they could trust had vanished along with all their dreams. Sonny felt he had let his family down. He felt responsible and did not know what to do next. He and Frances decided to use this situation to teach their daughters to find joy in life despite setbacks and disappointments. They knew that the utilities would soon be shut off to their home, so they devised a plan. Instead of becoming stressed, upset, and letting the circumstances define them, they would "transform" the situation into something good for the family.

One day the three daughters woke up to find Sonny and Frances laughing and joking as they carried the family camping equipment into the house. The tent went up in the middle of the living room and in front of the fireplace. Folding chairs were placed in front of the couch and loveseat, sleeping bags were tossed inside the tent, and marshmallow roasting sticks were carefully placed on the hearth. The cookstove was set up outside in the back yard. The small, rabbit-eared TV had been moved out, and in its place was a small picnic table, flashlights, and lanterns; the two busy parents had happily spent their last two dollars on marshmallows and hotdogs. They said good morning to their surprised daughters and began giving instructions for them to get their play clothes on and prepare for a unique camping trip... inside the house. The girls giggled and ran into the room they shared, changed, then came back out as fast as they could, ready to join their mom and dad in this fun new game. Sonny and Frances sat their excited daughters down and began to tell them the plan. They would all sleep and eat in the living room; it was their campground. They would roast marshmallows and hot dogs in the fireplace, sing their favorite campfire songs, and tell the best ghost stories ever. There would be no TV, no electricity, no washing dishes or clothes. 

Then with tears in their eyes and holding hands, they told the girls the rest of the story.

You see, they said, we have no money, and the utility company will shut off all our power. We love you girls so much that we did not want to be sad and stressed through this; we wanted to show you instead how we can take something that may have been a bad memory and make it into the best memory. Will you three help us? Will you join us and make this the best few days we have ever had until we can have the power turned back on? The girls jumped up and hugged Sonny and Frances as hard as possible, and the campout began. That night and for four more nights, the family sang, told stories, talked about life, people, forgiveness, the things that truly matter, and love. The girls heard stories of their parents, grandparents, and family history. This family that was close drew even closer, not just because they shared such a fun memory, but because they survived a hardship together.


That 15-year-old was me, and my sisters and I were "Transformed" that week into the women we are today. My parents took bad fortune and turned it into a happy life lesson.


A few months later, we were all at a flea market, and my father came face-to-face with the ex-business partner. We had learned he and his wife stoled, then sold all my dad's tools and truck, then skipped out of town. This man standing in front of us had bankrupted my parents and taken their hopes and dreams. I wanted to hit him. It was apparent he wondered whether he should run or fight, then my dad did something that shocked all of us. My dad reached out, grabbed the man, hugged him, and said, "You hurt me. You hurt my family. We lost everything, but I was able to show my daughters what really matters, and I forgive you." That day my dad transcended being just dad; he was transformed into a role model, a hero. My parents molded my heart by showing mercy and love to someone who did not deserve it. My parents changed their daughter's lives and the life of that man. 


"Transformation literally means going beyond your form." Wayne Dyer. Our hearts and minds were reformed and reshaped by my dad's act of forgiveness and love.


"Whatever good or bad fortune may come our way, we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value." Where can you start?


Pastor Joel Osteen said, "You're going to go through tough times - that's life. But I say, 'Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.' See the positive in negative events." 


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Hugs and have a beautiful day. This is Debby Wells with the Special Family Connection.