I've been looking for someone for several years and recently learned that she may be living in the Olds area.
Her name is Becky and she was from Spokane, Wash. She had deep auburn hair longer than I'd ever seen, rode a Harley, taught me embroidery and let me have first choice of the stuffed panda bears she'd made for my two then-stepsisters and I — first choice!
I was eight or nine at the time. My dad had just married a woman with two girls younger than me and it seemed they were everything I was not — adorably cute, dark-haired and slim.
My dad worked out of town much of the time, and my brother had been relocated to a special home for unruly boys. I was often alone with my then-stepmother and stepsisters.
And along came Becky… noticing me, paying special attention to me. She made me feel so much better about circumstances, life, and most importantly, myself.
When my son came along, there were challenges: I was a single parent, he was gifted with high-functioning autism, and some close to me struggled with my parental choices. I found myself thinking of Becky more often and how she made me feel that I mattered, that I was important too.
We don't always know what or how our actions may impact someone else's life.
I want Becky to know.
I still have my navy blue panda, mended with thread and a safety pin, and he still has both eyes.
There's so much more I want her to know about me, so much I want to know about her, because I still treasure every minute she gave to me as a child.
I don't know her last name now, nor her maiden name, but I'm willing to bet there's a shiny Hog in her garage, even in her 60s.
Ukrainian Christmas is coming soon and there's nothing l'd like more than to connect with Becky. If you know her or where she is, please call — I'm in B.C. at 604-399-8059.
Anna (Tracey) Diehl
Halfmoon Bay, B.C.
We don't always know what or how our actions may impact someone else's life. I want Becky to know.
