~SHOES~

After High School, my daughter worked in the local Pharmacy. She was a very good tech but dealing with people, at times, turned out to be quite challenging.

There was one particular man who was, in her words, the biggest grouch in the world! He was a regular customer, so, she had to deal with him often. Oh, how she dreaded it when he stepped up to the counter. He was always complaining and never had anything nice to say.

One day, she came home from work in tears, saying she was going to quit her job. Mr. Grump was in and was exceptionally nasty. "That's it! I've had it!" She sobbed. I calmed her down and said he must be sick or in a lot of pain, to have to take so much medicine. I suggested she try to find something nice to say to him. How hard could that be?

The next day, he came in early to pick up prescriptions. He was in true form. " I had better not have to wait," he grumbled loudly. She smiled and said, "good morning sir," and was trying hard to think of something nice to add. She just couldn't think of a thing. She glanced down and noticed his Niki shoes. "I love your shoes! I have a pair just like them," she blurted out. He seemed a little surprised and pleased and said he had just gotten them. They chatted about Niki shoes, running and how she loved being on the High School track team.

After that day, when he came into the Pharmacy, he always asked for her to help him and he

often stopped by just to say hello.

She and I learned a great deal from her experience with this man. It had a lot to do with the "turn the other cheek" thing. Oh, I did ask her if her shoes were really like his. She shook her head and replied, " not even close Mom, not even close."

~Don't Bother Me, I'm Sleeping~

The phone ringing startled me. I looked at the clock. It was 11:30 P.M. and I was sleeping. "This had better be something really important," I grumbled. I picked up the phone and heard my (then 11 year old) very excited grandson Derek, saying "Grandma! You have to go out and look at the moon!" I said, "Derek, I was sleeping!" He replied, "please Grandma! You have to go see." I sighed, and said "okay" as I put on my slippers. I walked out into the crisp, fall night and clutched my robe close around my neck as I looked up. Never had I seen so many beautiful, bright stars dancing in the clear night sky. Suddenly I saw it. It was the biggest, brightest, most glorious moon I had ever seen. It was hanging low, just above the treetops. The soft, stunning color of orange took my breath away. I felt as though I could touch it. I still had the phone in my hand. I said, "Oh Derek, it is the most beautiful moon I have ever seen!" We admired it together and then said goodnight. He told me he loved me. I said, "love you too."
I stood on the porch a while longer, taking in the splendid still night. Tears filled my eyes as I thought about my very sweet, loving boy, wanting to share this magical moon with his grandma. I knew it wouldn't be long and he would be sharing his thoughts and wonderous moments with a very special young girl. He would be telling her "I love you." I smiled as I wiped the tears away and thought---but tonight, he wanted to share them with me!

~Telephone Call~

I talk to my sister-in-law Dorothy, every week or so. She called yesterday and said she was having trouble finding flour sack dish towels in the stores in her area. She asked if I would look
through my stack of catalogs for some. She has a friend getting married and she will make her standard gift, a wonderful set of flour sack dish towels, beautifully embroidered with the couples' last initial. She might also include some of her homemade jams and jelly or maybe, her delicious apple butter. If she knows they have a favorite cookie or likes fudge, they will probably be included also.
Dot takes pride in her old fashion, made from scratch recipes. If you're lucky enough to spend the night with her, she will fire up her wood cook stove and make a "to die for" breakfast, including everything from delicious homemade warm maple surup to stacks of pancakes, french toast, sizzling bacon, sausage, fried potatoes and eggs anyway you want them!
Dot taught Kindergarden for 39 years and she was the teacher everyone wanted for their children. She was a terrifc, loving, no nonsense teacher. I have known her for over 50 years and she has worn her hair in the same style, neatly pulled back in a bun with a pretty flower on it. She wears just a dab of lipstick. She's never had a manicure or pedicure or a facial. She doesn't own a computer, non does she want to. She has a cell phone but she doesn't use it. She listens to Broadway show tunes on a record player. She's a very special lady and one of my best friends. I love her.
Anyway, I googled flour sack dish towels and ordered 12 commercial grade towels that will be delivered to her door in a few days. I'm thinking about coloring my hair, or maybe going for a manicure. I'll stop by StarBucks first. Oh yes, I must not forget my phone. I have to keep up on Facebook.

Lazy Sunday~What I Learned

On our drive home from church, Frazier, my seven year old Grandson, proudly showed us his neatly traced picture of Paul. He said, "Guess what? My right hand is my favorite hand!" I waved good-bye and unlocked the front door. I took my boots off and hung my Sunday coat in the closet. I cleaned up the fresh snow I tracked in. I took the clean dishes out of the dishwasher and put them away. I wiped the crumbs out of the microwave and fixed some lunch. I put fresh towels in the bathroom. I fluffed the down comforter on the bed and smoothed the pillows. I paid some bills and balanced the checkbook. I checked my e-mail and played a game of Scrabble.
I made a cup of tea and sat down in the leather recliner. I put my feet up and thumbed through a L.L. Bean catolog. Mitzi curled up in my lap. She stretched and yawned as I stroked her soft fur. I scratched her ear and said, "Mitzi, guess what? My right hand is my favorite hand!"

My first post!

This is Miss Mitzi. She is a Ragdoll cat, 9 months old. She is a wonderful companion and is helping me adjust to my new life.

Widow--I can hardly bring myself to say it. Widow--oh, how I hate this word! Okay, here goes... I am a widow. There! I've said it!

It's been 16 months. The fog of heart-break and despair is slowly starting to lift, but only with the love of my Lord and Savior, my wonderful family and yes, my Mitzi. I know I will get better!