Life Notes: Oh, No! She’s Doing it Again!
by Gary Rambin, MSW

As I walked across the campus of the Methodist Children’s Home, I looked up, saw and heard a very familiar voice and face. She stated to the young boy, “Tommy, please get out of the street. You might get run over, Babe.” The voice was so tender and full of love and concern, but it was mixed with discipline. It reminded me of the day that same voice did miracles in my life just as it is doing right here at the Methodist Children’s Home. My memory took me back to a place and time when life was carefree and very eventful. The voice cried out to me, “Gary Lane Rambin, you come out of that creek right now! You might get bitten by a snake, Babe!”

When you are young and your mother uses your middle name, you know you are in trouble and better think real fast, so I replied, “Mom, it wasn’t my fault, George pushed me in!” (George was my best friend – When you are young, you always blame things on your best friends – because they are going to do it to you.) I remember thinking, “Yea that will get me out of this one!” But there was one thing I forgot. My mom was just as good about knowing when I was telling a lie, as I was at telling them. She then replied, “That might be true, but I still need for you to come out of the creek.”

Yes, in many ways my childhood was the same as many youth at the Methodist Children’s Home. I lied, cussed, and skipped school. I tried smoking once, but I burned down the entire woods by my house. I stole, was classified as a hyper active child, a behavior problem, and was placed in the Lincoln Learning Center for slow learners. These are just the things I did that I can state. I also heard relatives and my parents’ friends make such statements about me such as: “Faye, how do you put up with that obnoxious child?” “Faye, he will never amount to anything.” “Faye, I don’t see how you do it.” AND the always popular, “Faye, you know what he needs is a good spanking!” But through it all, she always showed me love, compassion, concern and hope. No matter what I did or what people said, she never stopped believing in me and showing me love. AND the most important thing – she never gave up on me. When I reflect on my life to see what event it was that took place that helped me to turn my life around, I realized it was no event, but one person, my Mother, Faye Rambin.

Now in her fifteenth year of service at the Methodist Children’s Home, “Mama Faye” as the youth call her, continues to help youth change their lives by using the same ingredients: Love; Patience; Concern; and a Belief. Faye Rambin will be retiring from the Methodist Children’s Home in May, 2003. During her employment she has touched and saved the lives of many youth and staff. We appreciate you and all you have done for the Methodist Children’s Home, “Mama Faye.” You will remain close to our hearts and minds.

As I awake from my daydreaming, I see her across the Home’s campus. I hear her inspiring words in my mind again, “Tommy, come out of that street.” And I know, yes, she is doing it again, and there is hope for these youth here at the Methodist Children’s Home. We can all be a part of that hope.
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The Life Notes articles are written by staff of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home and are published in The Ruston Daily Leader.