In You I See Me: 2 Worlds, 3 Sisters, 1 Journey Back Together as Family

By Helen Pangle Odenwald

What does "family" mean to you?

Author Helen Odenwald takes you on a very personal journey of discovery to find the family she never knew she had. Beginning woth the family secret, her mother carried for over 20 years. Helen opens up about the path to redemption for sisters separated by the inthinkable.You will laugh, you will cry and you will rediscover hope as you experience the story of three sisters who find their way back to each other- and heal their mother's tears in the process. "In You I See Me" is a powerful expression of love, grace, and honor among women- and the belief that true family always finds a way home...

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491833711

Book preview

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© 2013 by Helen Pangle Odenwald. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/18/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-3373-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-3372-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-3371-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013920562

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

I would like to dedicate this book to my mother and to all mothers related in life to adoption . . . both mothers on each side.

Acknowledgments

Darlene Ehlers… You are a tremendous example of a Mother’s love. Thank you for your unconditional love through my porcupine years.

Carroll Ehlers… You make my heart sing. Thank you for being my Dad of love for the last 42 years. You are the husband of honor and integrity my Mom deserved in life. Thank you, Dad.

Patricia White… Through the grace of love my little sister loves me. Through a thousand times over our conversations… . we react as if we grew up together.

Tommy White… Patricia’s husband who laughs and realizes that she is Little Darlene… . Darlene Jr. Thank you Tommy.

Bruce & Michael McGhee… Our brothers of a different father but we love them dearly. You are my Bro’s and I thank you for tolerating my porcupine teenage years. There was nothing quite like our sibling lifestyle in Idaho. Love you…

Sue Putman… My older sister. Your support and encouragement has been vital. I love that we dream and are goal oriented from our business career that we share with little sister Patricia…

David Putman… You are a true man of integrity. You embody the word COMMITMENT. By the grace of love you are able to put up with porcupine nature. I love you, David… thank you.

Lee Odenwald… My dear husband… Thank you for a great journey through life. Thank you for giving my wings the freedom to dedicate my time to share this story.

Sandra… Thank you. You are the sister that talked Patricia into meeting her sisters.

Steve Pangle… You are my wonderful cousin. Thank you Steve for sharing your kindness about my Father, your friend, and uncle.

Aunt Polly Pangle… What a treat to call you and visit. Thank you for sharing details about Bentonville and Arkansas… . The Pangle Family Ranch is now Walmart Corp. headquaters? I played on the Ranch when I was two! Thank you, Aunt Polly.

My Mary Kay world . . . You all did the praise to help me survive. Thank you.

Sam Fowler… My help in Twin Falls, Idaho, who assisted me in editing my story of honor. Thank you for believing passionately in my 1998 memoirs. Your dedication and guidance gave my book wings…

—Helen Pangle Odenwald, October 12, 2012, Twin Falls, ID

Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Author’s Note

Chapter One The Ladies’ Lounge

Chapter Two Tuck

Chapter Three Corporate America

Chapter Four The Call

Chapter Five Pacing The Floor In Florida

Chapter Six Finding Family for the First Time . . . Again

Chapter Seven Sisterhood

Chapter Eight A New Mission

Chapter Nine She Doesn’t Cry Anymore

Foreword

I praise God and all His miracles for I am blessed beyond belief. In the winter of 1954, I was adopted by a Christian family and given all that I needed and more than I wanted. I loved my parents and they loved me—I was their special gift. I lived a happy and fulfilled life as their daughter. I never intended to seek out my biological family, and could not have cared less if they found me… until they did. When I was 43, my adopted father was dying. I had already lost my mother a few years prior and was severely depressed. My parents were so important to me that I couldn’t envision life without them. At this time God gave me a special gift—my birth mother. The heartbreak I felt after losing the family I had known all my life was soothed by the love of my new family. I love all of them, and always have. Had this happened any other time in my life, I am not sure I would have been ready to accept God’s plan. His timing is perfect.

As a result, I have been blessed with two new sisters as well. Knowing that Helen has taken the time to dedicate our story to print is an act of sure determination and love. My hat is off to her, for reading her memoirs through the years about our journey is truly amazing. I pray you are blessed as well by getting a glance into the story we have lived…

—Patricia Anne Pangle-McLeod-White

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

Author’s Note

In 2008 to honor my mother, I formed a unique tribute to her and her mother, the matriarch of our family. It was Mother’s Day and the Idaho Statesman ran the story on the front page, showing the wonderful generational honoring of women in our family (Google Idaho Statesman: May 11, 2008, Great Story of Honor). Throughout the experience of bringing the story together, I was once again reminded of the beauty of a mother’s love. That type of love commits, protects, promises, nurtures and leads. I certainly learned that from my mother.

Because of her, the story you are about to read unfolded the way that it did. I hope and pray it is as inspiring to you to read as it was meaningful for me to live.

Chapter One

The Ladies’ Lounge

I just stood there, staring at her.

I suppose every daughter eventually gets to this moment with her mother. You stand there, staring in disbelief over something she’s done or said. You want to disown her, disassociate, run. You cannot believe what she has done that you know will completely embarrass your entire existence. Or, worse yet, ruin your existence. You dread that you came from her loins and cannot fathom ever being like this. But deep