WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
WHEN THE ORDINARY
BECOMES EXTRAORDINARY
By VICKI BENNINGTON
Nine years ago, Beth Brockling was living an ordinary, happy life. Yet
through a series of events, she is now even happier – more than she
could have dreamed possible – while doing extraordinary things for
other people.
“I thought my life was fantastic,” Beth said. “But now I have even
more joy. My heart is so full, it could overflow.”
Events were set into motion when Beth’s mother died unexpectedly.
Beth’s daughter, Kasey, then 7 years old, was extremely close to her
grandmother, and had a hard time coping with the loss, as did
Beth herself.
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Someone recommended the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program that
sends representatives to local schools to provide counseling for
students who have a situation they need to talk through.
“It really helped Kasey. I was so appreciative of the young lady that
talked with her and helped get her through that time in a way that I
couldn’t,” Beth said.
In response, Beth decided to become a “Big Sister” herself.
She was matched as a mentor to a young girl named Shalei, who
Beth’s own children related to fabulously. She quickly became a part
of the family.
“Shalei called me on her 15th birthday, and told me she and her
family had become homeless and would be sleeping in the car that
night,” Beth said. “I went to Facebook and reached out to my friends
and family who responded immediately with food and monetary
donations to help me make sure that didn’t happen.
“And something that surprised me was that they all recognized the
importance of Shalei’s birthday, too. Many of them donated money
specified just for her so she could celebrate the occasion,” she added.
GAZELLE WEST
Needless to say, the family did not sleep in the car that night or any
other night. And Beth used