Cheerleader Mom

By: April Sylvester
Mom was my biggest cheerleader...literally.
In seventh grade, I did the 200m hurdles. I will always remember one particular race. As I rounded the last curve of the track, I heard an unmistakable voice above the rumble of the crowd: "GOOOOO APRIL!!!!!!" Indeed, it was my own mother. She had cupped her hands around her mouth, taken in a deep breath, and exhaled from the bottom of her diaphragm to produce an amazingly loud sound from such a small woman. Later, mom would say that I gave her a look of utter mortification mid-stride and raced away as fast as I could. (What do you expect from a middleschooler?)
But that is exactly what mom was like--the most supportive presence in my life. Without her, I would not have gone to Tanzania or Zambia, I would not have swam swim team or played volleyball, I would not have brought friends home over breaks, I would not have survived my battle with allergies, and I would not be at Wheaton, much less graduating with a BA in Anthropology.
I would not be where I am today without my all-the-way-in, slightly-embarrassing, always-loving mom.

Live Blessed: Thoughts from Penny Anne Machemehl

C – caring and connected - you felt that almost immediately 

         when you met Carol

A – adoring, always smiling - Joy radiated from Carol in an 

         unusual way

R – regal and real – Carol lived her life with magnificence 

         and splendor like royalty yet she was so approachable 

         and relatable.

O – outstanding - standing out among others of her kind

L – leader - Carol was not content to lag behind, she boldly 

        lead with her convictions in plain site.

 

My friendship with Carol was much too short but oh how blessed I feel to have known her briefly. I am inspired to try to exude a small bit of the qualities mentioned.

 

She will not be forgotten.

 

Live Blessed – Carol did,

Penny Anne Machemehl

Brief time - Big impact!

I do not think my meeting Carol was coincidental. I truly believe it was ordained by God and for that I am so grateful.  Last year I had the privilege of going through yoga teacher training from a Christian perspective. A few months into my training and talking about it with many people I started being asked "do you know Carol Sylvester?" I would respond "no" and a few weeks would pass and someone else would ask me. Then one perfect day I received an email from the lady herself - Carol Sylvester.  She had too been asked if she knew me b/c we went to the same church and our interests (i.e. yoga) were similar. She reached out to me and asked if I wanted to grab a coffee. Not too long after we finally met in person at Starbucks.  Within seconds, it felt like I knew her for years. We talked for a while just getting to know one another and I knew I had met someone I wanted to know more.  Throughout my yoga training I often got emails of encouragement through words & prayers.  We continued to meet for coffee from time to time just to touch base. Carol was so invested in me and my training. She pursued avenues for me to teach from a Christian perspective b/c that was how important it was to her. It wasn't the yoga that she passionate about (even though she loved it), it was sharing the gospel. Her heart so ached for those who needed a Savior. That desire to share was infectious. I wanted to be more like that - to be more bold! As tiny as she was, she was so strong and confident. I know this all came from God in her. When Carol passed it was shocking to say the least. My heart ached for her family, other friends and for those who didn't get a chance to know her.  But I smile knowing that God is still using Carol in so many lives - mine too! Not too long before she passed Carol had started teaching at the Atlanta Athletic Club on Tuesday nights. She was adamant that it be from a Christian perspective and even got me an interview there b/c she wanted another believer to possibly teach as well in the future.  I was added to the sub list.  In November the Atlanta Athletic Club reached out to me about taking Carol's Tuesday night class. I prayed about the decision and talked to other friends in the yoga community before deciding. I was given a peace and thought Carol wanted me there - she was working towards that even before. She would rather me take the class probably over anyone else. So every Tuesday on the way there I smile as I drive even thankful for the opportunity knowing that Carol (with all the excited energy) would be pleased.  It was an honor to know her even if for a short time. Brief time - big impact!

Blessings,

Melissa Hayes

A morning run in the rain

I had the pleasure of meeting Carol about a year ago.  It was my first Perimeter Women's retreat and Carol was organizing yoga classes and a weekend run.  I remember telling her, "I have no interest in yoga, but if you're organizing a run, sign me up!"

  The next morning, our group met in the lobby to run.  It was raining, and our group was small, but your mom didn't seem the least bit concerned!  Our group headed out and about a mile into the run, Carol and I found we had a similar pace (she was probably slowing down for me)!  I so enjoyed the 45 minutes I had with your mom that day.  We shared our joys and challenges with raising our children, and she I could tell how proud she was of each of you!  I shared with her some struggles we were having with our daughter, and Carol was such a sympathetic listener.  I distinctly remember after our run before we parted ways, she said "let's pray for Lydia."  How that blessed me! To think I had only just met her and in that lobby of the hotel she knew how to best minister to me was to go to our Heavenly Father for help.  That told me A LOT about your mom.  I could tell she was a humble person, certainly not claiming she had all the answers of raising children, and not the least bit judgmental, but compassionate, gracious, understanding, and wise. Your mom was a special person, and I wish I knew her better.  I am so grateful God gave me that time with her that morning, and feel blessed to have come to know her.  Carol made an impression upon me that day that I will never forget!

My first Valentine's date with my wife

I do not remember our first Valentine's together (dating), but I sure remember our second (first as married).  I came home from work and asked Carol if she would like to go out to dinner.  We had no kids so spontaneity ruled the day.  We drove to our favorite restaurant the Petite Auberge only to find that there was a 2 hour wait!  (Yikes!  Guess who did not plan this in advance.)  So, we left and went to another restaurant that was not so swanky.  The wait was equally as long.  I suggested another that did not even take reservations, and it too had a very long wait.  By now, we had been driving around for an hour and a half.  It was way past our usual time to eat and it was a work night.  Carol was done.  As we drove home, Carol noticed a Taco Bell that had no customers at all.  Imagine that, no customers on Valentines Day.  It was our lucky day.  She suggested we go there and we did.  We topped the special night off with an order of Cinnamon Twists^®.

I had no idea what an impact that night had made.  As, every Valentine's Day afterward we only ate at Taco Bell.  As the kids aged, they reveled in the thought of reliving our first Valentines day together as they munched on a 5-layer burrito.  And, we always had the restaurant to ourselves.  How romantic!  I went back and tried to find some pictures of this special night.  You know, this is the only one I could find.  Do you think someone else did not think it was so special?

Winter Ski Trips

When asked what memories I have of Carol in January, the first thing I think of is our ski trips.  Carol hated the cold weather.  But, one of her favorite memories of Vestavia High School was a ski trip with Young Life.  So, she was going to make sure our kids had some great memories--they were going skiing!

We did not have much money, so it was a challenge to pull this off.  What the kids probably did not know was that we had to borrow the gear from a bunch of different people.  It would have been impossible for anyone but Carol to keep track of it.  She had a method of making sure everything we borrowed came back.  Carol would take pictures of everything first and inventory the items. 

All of our pictures of our ski trips start with this:

and end with this:

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention, Chester spent 2 weeks in a sewer pipe when we were on a vacation in Florida, he earned first class passage on every vacation since.  That complicated travel and accommodations quite a bit!

Thoughts from Leslie & John Brieck

Carol was such a genuine prayer warrior and faithful friend.  I remember when Zach had his 2 foot surgeries, she emailed or called me more than anyone I can think of to ask how she could be praying for him.  This meant so much to me, and it was obvious that she wasn't just asking to be polite, but she really was going to be praying for him - great comfort to know someone was going before the throne on his behalf.  

What a breath of fresh air she was - never a gossip, always positive and always directing thoughts and conversations toward a Christ like mindset.

Leslie & John Brieck