On Today’s episode of Real Grief - Real Healing, Mindy interviews her mother, Melinda Corporon, who shares her own journey to finding peace through the healing process.
“You have the most important job, today.” - In Episode 4, I interview my momma, Melinda Corporon. She and my father didn’t just stand by my side as parents, they hoisted me above their shoulders allowing me to reach as far as I could possibly want.
Without her soulmate, my mom has been lost. When I am asked how people can help us, I am not shy about asking for prayers for her.
They met in choir when she was a 16 year old junior in high school. He was a senior that made her laugh and blush at the same time. Married in 1965, they both worked and then she worked while he attended the University of Oklahoma Medical School. He received his medical degree in 1972, when I turned 3 and my older brother, 6. For years they were broke and fit the description - “living on love”.
Seven years after receiving his medical degree, they had their third child and our family was complete.
Living in Marlow, OK – a rural community, my father was a well known physician. They moved his practice to Duncan, only a short drive from Marlow in 1980. This allowed for a larger practice, more time with the Duncan Regional Hospital and most importantly the ability for them to work together.
Mom ran their medical practice, our family and all of our activities. My dad nurtured and cared for us and numerous patients. Six years after his death when someone meets me who knew my father, they will undoubtedly say “your dad is the reason I am living!” and/or “your dad had such a great sense of humor” both of which bring a huge smile to my face and heart!
Mom and Dad enjoyed being together so much they jointly produced and directed over 20 theatrical productions with Duncan Little Theatre. Their time in the community not only afforded them many dear friends they each improved the community around them. Most recently, they were inducted into the Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame and in 2019 they were awarded Duncan Little Theatre’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
This was on the Duncan Little Theatre Facebook page in January 2019.
“In 1981 Dr Bill and Melinda Corporon rejuvenated the spirit of Duncan Little Theatre and were active until they left our area in 2003. Over the years, Bill directed and Melinda produced over 25 shows, as well as acted and worked behind the scenes of many other productions. Melinda served on the board during those years, wrote grants, made costumes, and put her own furniture on the stage when needed. Many patients of Dr. Corporon were recruited as actors, church friends became season ticket holders, and many a wonderful cast party was held at their Marlow home. They influenced everyone in our community with their love of the arts.
In 1993 Duncan Little Theatre was able to acquire the building on Main Street, due to a generous donation by long-time theatre patrons Nelson and Patsy Garner and financial assistance from the Corporons, enabling DLT to have rehearsal space and ample storage for priceless props and costumes. Years later, the Corporon family once again assisted Duncan Little Theater via a generous donation from their “Faith Always Wins” foundation, ensuring that the building on Main Street would serve DLT for decades to come.
Bill and Melinda received the prestigious Oklahoma’s Governor’s Arts Award in 2002 for their work. Most of all, The Corporons’ creativity and persistence inspired the community of Duncan to keep live theatre alive and vibrant in our community.”
They expected to grow older, together. I give mom the full reign of the microphone in this episode allowing for only a short few minutes about her healing. Unfortunately, that is all she needed.
The two of us are examples of how differently healing can be defined, processed and managed. Each of us has to make our own journey to finding peace through the healing process.
While my story is broadcast more often, her story is as important as mine and deserved a mic.
Thank you for reading and listening. We are hopeful by sharing our trauma, pain and real grief we can help you find real healing.
Links from this episode:
Mindy Corporon
https://MindyCorporon.com
Bill and Melinda’s Induction into the Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame
http://bit.ly/3a3LnVd
Faith Always Wins
https://faithalwayswins.org/dr-william-corporon
Helpful information for this episode:
Andrew is Melinda’s grandson. He was 7 years old when his grandfather and cousin were murdered.
Katy is Melinda’s granddaughter. She was 5 years old at the time of the murders.
Dana is Melinda’s daughter-in-law, married to Tony, youngest of Melinda’s 3 children.
Len is Melinda’s son-in-law, Mindy’s husband.
Lukas is Melinda’s grandson, age 12 at the time of the murders. He is Mindy’s only living son.
Barbie is one of 3 of Melinda’s sisters.
Will is Melinda’s oldest child.
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Real Grief - Real Healing is copyright 2020, Mindy Corporon. All Rights Reserved. Our theme music is composed by Dave Kropf and used with permission.
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