The Red Hatted Girl Series 1

I was trying to be cool on the ice and this boy was skating circles around me. Why did boys have to skate so fast? And that crooked smile—what was that all about? His eyes were crystal blue and amazing!

It was right after Christmas and I was on a retreat with all the high school kids from my church. My little group of girlfriends and I had shuffled out to the center of the shoveled skating area on the lake at Kensington Park. It was rough and hard to manipulate, but we managed to get there. Ah, success! Now everyone would notice us, all the little 14-year-old girls trying to be so cool and in control. We couldn’t skate, not one bit. Half of the time we’d fall on each other, be embarrassed, struggle to get up, and try all over again. It must have been quite amusing for the adults who were watching.

Regardless of our comedy act, I thought I was so cool because of the handmade knitted red hat I wore. I was so proud of that hat because I’d made it myself. We continued to giggle and pretended to ignore the parade of boys skating around us as they pretended to start a hockey game.

Suddenly, a swoosh zoomed by me and I heard him laugh. He’d swiped my hat right off my head! Of all the nerve! Who did he think he was anyway? Then he balanced himself in the corner of the snowy rink, laughing with some other boys. I didn’t want him to think I even noticed, but I did. Those eyes, so brilliantly blue and that smile was captivating. I looked away. Again, that swoosh and then he was gone. “Hey, blue eyes,” he called from the corner. “Nice hat.” Ugh, boys! Why were they ever invented? But wait, that’s why I was shivering in the middle of an ice rink, so the boys would notice me. And my cute hat. Hmmm, I’d have to think about that one. That memorable weekend started off to be very interesting!

Note: This is the beginning of a book I’m writing about my life. I’ll start when I met my husband and describe how 40 years of marriage can change and mold you into the person you were meant to be. I’ll explain my relationship with my heavenly Father and my earthly one, and all the events in between. Would you read it if I wrote it? I’m just a normal person wanting to leave a mark for Christ on this world. I’d appreciate your comments.

The Comfort Series 4 – Finding Joy!

I couldn’t believe it! It was 7:00 a.m. and I’d just pulled out of my garage to leave for work. I always wait to see if the garage door closes before I take off. Suddenly, there’s a grinding sound, a POP and then the whole right side of the door slowly bends down! I couldn’t move and I surely couldn’t look. Parked directly underneath that bending door is my late husband’s classic car! Oh please, Lord, not that!

As I surveyed the situation, I did something I’ve learned to do after many times like this: laugh. I’ve spent way too much of my life fretting, worrying, complaining, getting grumpy, and griping at other people when things go wrong. It’s just not worth it. I get upset, other people get upset, and it’s just an awful time in general.

In Chuck Swindoll’s book Laugh Again, he says this about finding joy in terrible situations:

Why has a joyful life, an attitude of happiness, eluded so many? Within the past few years I have come to realize why. It’s because most people think that happiness is something that happens to them rather than something they deliberately and diligently pursue. Circumstances seldom generate smiles and laughter. Joy comes to those who determine to pursue it in spite of their circumstances.

Psalm 144: 15b says, “Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” That’s how I want to be known. Not that I put on a false face or pretend to be happy when I’m not, but I believe there is joy and humor to be found in most of the daily grind of life. If we choose to be a griping, complaining person, then we’ve lost the joy that God gives. Really, can’t you find joy in one of life’s events today? This is the stuff that life is made of and it’s too short to be a grump! Put on your happy pants and find JOY!

Oh, by the way, the garage door is fixed and the classic car is now safe and sound without a dent! God knew that would happen!

The Comfort Series 3 – Comforting Words

Last evening I sat by my 89-year-old mother’s bedside. She had taken a fall and broken her hip, and is now in the hospital. Her advanced dementia has prevented any normal conversation for almost two years now. It was strange seeing her old and lying there mumbling.

Suddenly, she became agitated and began talking out loud. She said things softly at first but then began speaking in a normal voice and saying, “I know Tom Ritchie, I know Tom Ritchie, I know Tom Ritchie!” That would mean nothing to most people, but it meant the world to me. You see, Tom Ritchie was my husband who died in 2006. He was a very special person who cared so much for others. He’s now enjoying everlasting life in heaven because he accepted Christ as his savior.

As my mother continued to talk, she said something else pretty profound. Let me give you some background first about her statements. When I was born, she wrote in my baby book: “She’s the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen.” My dad later wrote: “You just didn’t get a very good look at her.” From the moment I was given that baby book as an adult, those words have stuck in my heart like a knife. I wondered why my mom didn’t even like me from the moment I was born. That’s a big load to carry around with you and it deeply bruised our already tumultuous relationship.

Last night, she began saying out of nowhere, “I’ve got a baby, a pretty baby.” She repeated them over and over about 50 times. I finally leaned down to her face and asked her, “What’s the baby’s name, Mom?” Loud and clear she said, “Terre, my beautiful baby.” That’s me!

I cried, at first just a little. Later, when I was safely inside my car, I cried a lot. Maybe those were the confused words of a dementia patient, but to me they were a gift. She may never say them again and I’m alright with that. But I did hear them.

I truly believe that God gives us what we need right when we need it most. I needed to hear those words from my mother before she passes away. That may not happen soon, but it could be in a minute. Thank you, God, for that wonderful memory.