Reflections from the Kitchen Sink
Dear NanaHood friends,
Please join me in giving a warm welcome to our new columnist and my friend, Melinda Campbell. She is a wonderful writer with so much to say. I’ve been reading her posts on FaceBook for years and I’m so very honored that she agreed to be a part of our community! Please leave her a “Welcome to NanaHood” comment before you go!
Hugs to each of you!
Teresa
Welcome to my kitchen. The place where so much of life happens. It is the clearinghouse for meals, homework, a home-based business, and just so much of my daily life. It is also the place where I said my final goodbye to my husband who was killed by a drunk driver in January of 2015. Just days before, Michael and I had one of the most important conversations of our marriage, and it happened here at my kitchen sink.
Michael and I, like so many couples, had ridden the waves of marriage but had thankfully not been thrown overboard. We had passed through the storms and with great determination were charting our course for the second halves of our lives. We had made it, and we knew our commitment mattered.
On this particular day, Michael strolled into the kitchen as usual looking for his coffee and breakfast. I had both prepared and joked, “Have you told me lately how lucky you are to have me as your wife?”
Typically, Michael would have responded with some sarcastic quip; however this day, he wrapped his arms around me and proceeded to tell me how he knew without a doubt he was lucky I was his. He very specifically laid out our life’s journey and his development as a man and as a Christian and how I was responsible for everything good in his life. My playfully arrogant redneck spouse spilled his heart with such thoroughness and purpose I was left speechless.
We embraced for a few moments, and I sent him on his way to work. That conversation played over and over in mind that day, and when I went to thank him for sharing his heart with me, he simply replied it was he who was thankful.
Little did I know that day that our kitchen sink time would be some of our last deep dialogue. Life is busy. People rush from place to place. People have priorities, but life hiccups can surely scoot things over on our to-do lists.
Just a couple weeks later, while he was leaned against the kitchen doorway, I kissed him goodbye for the last time. We talked and texted throughout the day, but I never saw my husband again. The injuries sustained in the wreck were so traumatic viewing him wasn’t possible. I identified his body over the phone from markings on his back.
One morning not long after the funeral when I went to make myself coffee, the Lord graciously brought our kitchen sink chat to my mind. It was then I realized that had been Michael’s goodbye to me, and it from that point on became my morning start-up place. My place to reflect. My place to pray. My place to plan. Yes, sometimes, I still find myself crippled with grief there and sit on the small rug and cry until there are no tears left, but as time has passed, I have found more good than bad standing in this spot.
My “Reflections from the Kitchen Sink” started as just my logging my daily life journey. A few Facebook friends came along for the ride. Before I knew it, I started getting a few private messages here and there and would get stopped by folks at the store. People were encouraged which encouraged me. People including Teresa, my dear friend and colleague from years ago.
And that’s how we get to this place: my kitchen sink tab on Nanahood. What an honor to have this opportunity to collaborate with such a recognized name in the industry as I step out of my little corner of the world and into this larger venue.
I hope you will find your trips into my kitchen to be welcoming ones. You’ll most likely always find a coffee cup in my hand and find me leaning against my sink, but now you’ll know why this spot has so much meaning to me. You may even find that no matter where you are or in what station of life you find yourself, there is a lady just outside of Pig, Kentucky, with whom you share some similarities.
Until next time…
From the sink…
Melinda
Photo by Scott Skaggs
Bio: Melinda Campbell is a retired educator who currently focuses her efforts on raising her two teenaged boys, advocating for individuals with special needs and against drunk driving, and serving in her local community. Melinda has been gaining recognition for her writings labeled “Reflections from the Kitchen Sink” since the tragic death of her husband Michael in 2015. In her stories, she shares observations from her daily life including moments she has as a solo parent, a widow, and a woman who battles significant health issues including fibromyalgia and depression. Her goal is to encourage others through the experiences that are common to so many. Her practical approach to life’s obstacles has become a weekly mainstay for her readers from across the country.
Being open to new life experiences and upon the nudging of friends, Melinda entered her first pageant last November at the age of 49. Much to her surprise, she was named the 2017 Kentucky’s Woman Novice Supreme. In July, Melinda competed on the national stage and earned the title of 2018 AmeriFest Ms. U.S. Woman Beauty Supreme. She proudly represents both titles in many community service efforts and is grateful for the extra opportunities the crowns have allowed her to have.
Melinda is thrilled to partner with Teresa on Nanahood and looks forward to meeting the Nanahood community through the blog and at public appearances around the country.
Melinda let me borrow one of her crowns so we could do a selfie for you. I insisted she take the one with the most bling since she’s the real queen!
We are so glad to have you!
Thank you, everyone, for the sweet comments and for making me feel so welcome. I’m thinking I’ve found a comfortable place to be for a bit. ?
Thank you so much sweet Nancy!
Hi Melinda and Teresa,
Welcome, Melinda! That was a very touching post. I’m sorry your husband was stolen by a drunk driver. How sad. And infuriating. Writing is a wonderful outlet that helps a person cope, heal and reach out to others who might be experiencing similar (or not so similar) things. Learning from and connecting with others deepens our ability to empathize and expands our hearts. My best to you two ladies as you collaborate. You’ll be helping readers for sure. And I love the kitchen sink theme. So personal. So real.
I think it was a “God thing” that we are friends and working together. Thank you sweet Sharon for commenting and for all you do to glorify the King of Kings!
Pat, I’m so sorry about your loss. Hang in there, new NanaHood friend. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Follow our Facebook page too. We do a lot of discussing things over there too!
Thanks for welcoming Melinda..I hope I can introduce you two to each other someday. She’s a sweetheart!
You are so right! Stay tuned. All will be revealed!!!!!
Melinda’s kitchen sink!
P.S. Whose sink is that ?!?
Congrats! Where does Paul Harvey fit in? There’s always more to the story…
Welcome, Melissa! You two have a common gift and very different life situations…your writings have something for everyone. Look forward to the next chapters….
I so appreciated this first contribution; thank you for sharing about your husband. I joined this journey six weeks ago.
God is smiling on the two of you. Such a blessing to see you working together.
I must say I am not surprised you both have been given a gift. So proud of two beautiful ladies.
And thank you sweet Joan for being a NanaHood friend. You will love Melinda!!!!
Sweet Pam, thank you for commenting and for helping me welcome Melinda to NanaHood!
So glad you found your way to NanaHood! Welcome and we are excited to have Melinda here, too! She’s awesome!
I am a recent widow of 11 weeks.
Aww, that’s so sweet, Sue. I’m sure Melinda is honored you took the time to visit us here and comment. She will respond to the comments soon.
Thanks for writing Judy. Love and hugs to you and yours. I’ll make sure Melinda sees your comment!
I’m hoping she will do a book too! I’ll make sure Melinda sees all your comments!
Thanks Carol and condolences on your loss. I will make sure Melinda sees all the comments. I know she will want to respond to these comments herself.
Welcome. I enjoyed reading your Reflections From the Kitchen Sink. I am also a widow who became a widow without any warning that I was going begin the widow journey. We were married 48 years and totally expected to celebrate our 50th anniversary. I look forward to reading more of your writings.
Love Melinda and enjoy her sink writings. Looking forward to hearing more from her, a book.
Welcome to Nanahood Melinda!
Loved your blog and a wonderful introduction.
Saddens me to think of your pain of losing
your husband. I cannot imagine what a loss
this is. Especially since my husband and I
celebrated 47 yrs of marriage yesterday.
I’m from the same small town as Teresa and have
know her most of her life, although I now live
in MS. Love Nanahood!!
Thanks , I look forward to reading more from your
kitchen sink!
Judy Jolly
Hello, Nanahood denizens! I am one of many of Melinda’s friends who has tagged along with her to enjoy reading what’s going on at her kitchen sink and in others’ worlds. You will be in love with this beautiful, intelligent, very strong woman by the time you finish reading her first paragraph!
Hi Melinda…Welcome to Nanahood
I, as an high school friend of Melinda’s Michael, have been a loyal follower and admirer of Reflections from the Kitchen Sink through Facebook posts over the recent years. I don’t pretend to know the angst and darkness that Melinda and her handsome boys have seen but I am so grateful for the shining light she is! You brighten my days without even knowing. God Bless this new adventure!
I’ve been following your story since the day of Michael’s accident when I believe that Kathy Crabb Hannah posted about the accident and to pray for the family and I don’t think she knew who you were. I remember when you came to your first Stronger retreat, I was in your cabin. I love your writings and have seen you grow stronger each day! Keep it up!
Welcome Melinda! What a beautiful introduction…which brought my tears, but the picture of you two in crowns cracked me up! What a perfect team you’ll make!
I look forward to reading more from you both. ?