Harvest of Joy

By Jan Ketter and Elaine McAllister

"Harvest of Joy" is the captivating story of how Jan Cook Ketter was blindsided by an unthinkable tragedy that for most would have been unrecoverable. Her journey out of despair is breath taking. It will make you laugh and cry at the same time, but most of all it will inspire you to never give in to the lie that your life is over. READ AND REJOICE.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098364151

Book preview

HOMECOMING WEEKEND

Though we’d been together all weekend, my daughter Chylene and I chatted non-stop as she drove my car north along the California coastline. We rehashed our last few days while making plans for the days ahead.

I was happy to spend a few days in Yorba Linda with Chylene and her husband Mike helping prepare her first Thanksgiving dinner for our entire family. There was a turkey to thaw, pies to bake, and salads to prepare and soon the aroma of that turkey would permeate their apartment.

Our oldest daughter, Kathy and her family, lived in Northern California where she worked from home creating custom draperies while also homeschooling our grandsons Jordan and Jeffrey. Kathy’s husband, Bill, was a full-time student at Chico State. His mom, Olga, was recovering from a car accident and under their care. We were looking forward to being all together for Thanksgiving in just a few days.

Attending Point Loma Nazarene College Homecoming as a family was not unusual since all three kids were graduates, but this year was special because Gary, our youngest and a 1991 grad, accepted an invitation to entertain guests. His business degree landed him a job at a title company near our home in Arizona. A truly gifted musician, he often played at churches, weddings, social events, and business functions. He played Kenny G, a popular saxophone artist at the time, so well that no one knew if it was Gary or Kenny.

Verne and I drove to San Diego before homecoming, and Gary flew our single-engine Cessna. My guys planned to fly back home to Arizona while I went on to Yorba Linda. The year was 1993.

When Verne and I picked up Gary at the airport, he told us that he thought of Psalm 139:17-18 while he flew over the San Diego beach on his approach: How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand (NIV). Gary loved sharing scriptures with his dad and me, and what a beautiful image to begin our weekend together.

At the time, Gary was reeling from a broken engagement to his love. His perfectly planned proposal included a limousine, ritzy restaurant, flowers, gifts, and much more. He serenaded Julie, then ceremoniously washed her feet before popping the question. She said yes. On the way back to our house in the limo, Gary tuned in the radio in time to hear the DJ say: This song is for you, Julie. I will love you always. From Gary. The chosen song? Lady, by Kenny Rogers. A sweet beginning for a young couple wasn’t meant to be. Julie had called off the engagement.

Gary’s two-day saxophone engagement at his alma mater was an honor, and he enjoyed every moment. We loved being together to hear him play, and as memories come, I can almost hear his flawless notes filling my heart with pride.

Our family friend, Shari Rollins, tagged along to keep Gary company at his performances and capture some great pictures of the weekend. What a blessing! Shari brought real joy to that weekend; runway beautiful and full of life. She and Gary laughed together, prayed together, and shared their hopes and dreams as they went from activity to activity. On Saturday, Gary took her on a midnight flight complete with flowers and a sparkling cider toast. Gary was the epitome of a romantic and made every moment special for those with him.

Capri by the Sea, a high rise on Pacific Beach, was our home for the weekend. Every fall when we dropped the kids off at college and every spring when they checked out of their dorms, we reserved a condo at this family favorite, and it held fabulous memories for all of us.

GOODBYE!

At the end of the weekend, we all went to dinner. Shari captured those moments, too, with her ever-ready camera.

Back at the condo we packed up, said our goodbyes, then joined hands to pray and ask God for safety as we went our separate ways. It had been a great weekend.

My guys were flying to Arizona for another workweek, albeit a short one. Mike drove them to Montgomery Field where they fueled our Cessna 172 and prepared for their short flight home. He saw them off, then made the trek to Yorba Linda arriving not long after Chy and me.

Verne and Gary, both experienced pilots, had logged many hours together in that cockpit, just one of many shared father-son passions. Verne had been flying since he was 15. Gary followed in his dad’s footsteps, becoming a certified pilot while in high school. Now, Chylene trained to become a pilot as well.

Verne raised cotton, wheat, and watermelon, following a successful career in aerospace engineering. The cotton crop needed his attention for a few days, and Gary had some business to take care of at his office. Later in the week, the two would share the cockpit again bound for Yorba Linda for turkey and trimmings with the family.

Chy and Mike both had to work that next day, so we headed for bed, but a quick glance at the clock reminded me the guys should be home from Stellar Airport. It was ten o’clock.

I called to say goodnight. No answer. I thought they must have stopped for something to eat, so I waited thirty minutes then called again. Still no answer.

You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach? Well, it was there.

Chylene felt it too, and she knew exactly what to do. She made a quick phone call, giving the call numbers of our Cessna to