Trick or Treat

Tonight the children roam the neighborhood in search of candy, saying that famous line, "Trick or Treat.  Tonight is Halloween, apparently an old druid feast.

So when you were little going around for your bag of candy, what did you say?  The typical one is "Trick or Treat."  Less common is the one we used.  It was, "Please help the poor."  My mother insisted that we say that because Halloween is sometimes known as Beggars' Night.  I checked online and there were a number of people who said, "Please help the Goloshans."  Goloshan apparently was a Pagan deity, so perhaps Goloshans were his followers.  Hard to know.  These now grown-up people also had no idea why they said that either.

All of the folks who said, "Please help the poor," were from Detroit.  So how in the world we managed to get the tradition in Ohio is anyone's game.  We never had any relatives from Detroit.  And I don't know any other kids who said what we did.

When my brother and I had to say, "Please help the poor," it had an effect on me.  The words kind of sunk in and I got a little tiny taste of what it would be like to go to a stranger's door and beg for food.  And I didn't like it very much.  My mother didn't like, "Trick or Treat," because it was an implied threat -- if you don't give me candy, I'll do something bad.  And back in my younger days, soaped windows were not uncommon.  Apparently, getting soap off windows is a very laborious job.  So although she couldn't tell what we said for sure, we obeyed.

We get about three children at our door each year.  Probably the same ones.  No one wants to come down our driveway to get treats and the next door neighbor never gives out candy.  One year when it was beautiful and mild, I took a folding chair up to the top of the hill and gave out treats there.  Each year we have a little contest as to how many will come.  Everyone ventures a guess.  Elsewhere in the neighborhood, there is much more activity.

Coming home and looking at the wonderful treats was the best part.  We really did appreciate the candy, the pennies, the occasional popcorn ball, or whatever anyone gave us.  It was fun dressing up and being someone else or something else for the evening.  It was just as fun seeing what other kids chose to be for Halloween. 

Tonight is yet another Halloween night.  I'm going to guess five children will come to the house.  And whoever they are, they are going to get doubles and triples of everything!!

Stay safe.

Fall -- that time of Mixed Messages

We who live in this part of the country -- the part that experiences fall and the changing of the leaves -- have a lot to think about.

Mixed messages.  The message of beauty beyond all telling when the leaves are red, orange, brown and yellow, at their peak of color.  The whole countryside screams, "Look at me.  Aren't I lovely?  Aren't I gorgeous?"

The second message is not so much fun.  The message is that before long all of the beautiful leaves will be down and curled into paper-thin brownness while the branches that bore them are plain and bare.  And then, of course, the message is that winter is coming soon.  "Prepare yourself.  Get ready for it.  Don't get caught unawares."

If winter were but a few weeks, the whole thing wouldn't be that big of a deal, but winter goes on and on and on.  We've got at least five months of solid cold weather most years.  And by that time, Ohioans are searching for any sign that it is coming to an end.

Jesus' life was kind of like fall in a sense.  His public time saw more and more people coming to him, knowing that he was a worker of miracles, and all about him was color and joy for the people, especially for his apostles.  And then the other period of time started, when Jesus was taken from the Garden of Olives and put on trial for his life.  And the trees were plain and bare.  All of the joy had been sucked out of his apostles who were terribly afraid.

Jesus' rising from the dead is like the joy of spring.  Everything is coming to life.  Everything is stretching toward the warming sun.  The colors are coming back.  The earth is full of life.  The apostles receive the Holy Spirit in the tongues of fire.  They are on fire with their mission.

So we know that winter is coming.  We wouldn't be able to avoid it if we wanted to -- the snow shovel display, the hand warmers, the winter coats and gloves, the snow blowers -- they are in all of the stores. 

But we know that we will get through winter and there will be another brilliant, fresh, glorious spring.  Let us pray with Jesus this winter and ask him to deepen our faith, ask him to help us help others.

The MIracle

In my little neighborhood, one gentleman was dealing with a serious eye problem.  It was serious enough that concerned neighbors of his were praying for him. 

One neighbor in particular is a woman with much holiness.  She believes strongly in the Lord, she prays often, and she hosts neighbors at teas at her house about once a month.  These teas are a way to bring others to God, and they have done that. When you talk to this woman, she listens intently.  She has such compassion, and she has absolutely no judgmental ways about her.  It doesn't matter what church you attend, or who your pastor is, or anything else.  Her first reaction is prayer.  She is very, very open to God and she knows the Word.

The neighbor already had a date for the eye surgery and was just waiting to go in and have it taken care of.  But the night before the procedure, he had a "dream."  He dreamed that a hand came down from above, and he believed it to be God's hand, and the hand touched his diseased eye.

When he woke up in the morning, the eye was very teary but he didn't think much of it, and he went in for the appointment as scheduled.  Before the surgery was to start, they did one more scan of the eye to be sure what they were going to do.

They didn't need to do anything!  His eye is completely normal.  Cured.  And so in our little neck of the woods, the laws of nature were reversed and God intervened for this man.  And the man knows who cured him, and he is so appreciative.

This recent happening calls to mind some of the miracles recorded in the Bible.  In at least two instances when Jesus healed someone, he said, "Your faith has SAVED you."  He didn't say "healed."  Thus, what Jesus did for these people was far more powerful that a physical healing.  They were told that day that they were going to heaven when their time came. 

The woman with the hemorrhages went to where she knew Jesus would be that day.  She had already heard about this man who could heal the sick.  She only wanted to touch the hem of his garment, and she did that believing that she also would be healed.  She was content to remain anonymous, but Jesus immediately knew that something had happened.  He asked, "Who has touched me?"  Our priest notes that at this moment the woman had a choice.  Slink away quietly or admit to Jesus that she was the one who touched him.  She chose to make herself known to God.

Each day we are given many opportunities for prayer.  Father Amadeus yesterday said that the way the tax collector prayed was true prayer, "I am a sinner in need of your mercy."  We need not waste our time comparing ourselves to others as a way of rationalizing our sinfulness.  We have need for God in our lives.  My neighbor found out something important and amazing.  God is with us.  The more his story is told, perhaps more people will turn toward their Lord, sinners in need of mercy.

May God bless you abundantly in everything you do.

Anna's Story - Part 38

(Readers, thank you for coming along for the story about Anna and John.  Today we cover a lot of ground, but I think you will enjoy it.)


Part 38

 

The Saturday night date came to an end at Anna’s house when John gave her a kiss at the door and then he made sure she was inside before he drove off.   On Sunday morning Anna felt giddy and in a daze as she prepared for Mass.  The kept thanking God again and again for John, for Katie, for this wonderful gift.  Later when it was a decent hour, she’d call her aunt and they’d talk for a while. 

 

Anna sat in her usual part of church and before long John and Katie joined her.  Then Janet, her husband all of their kids sat nearby as well as the Liccis.  It was so special to Anna who suddenly had this wonderful, big family of people to get to know and enjoy, to love and help.

 

Katie wanted Anna to carry her up to Communion, and the little girl kept hugging Anna’s neck the whole time.  She had penetrated deep into Anna’s heart and although she knew that Katie would never be her daughter in the biological sense, she would become her daughter in love.  Anna also knew that she would always want Katie to remember her own mother as best as possible – through videos and photos and family stories. 

 

After church, they all went to the donut store together and that way Katie could get her favorite chocolate donut.  Then Janet took Katie home with her and their whole clan as well as the Liccis said their goodbyes and left John and Anna alone.

 

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” John told Anna.  “I kept waking up and thinking about you and being so thankful that we found each other.”

 

“I felt the ring on my finger and woke up looking at it sparkle from the night light in my room.  And then I really slept hard.  Oh, I needed that so much,” Anna said.

 

“And that question you asked in the car – where will we live – I couldn’t stop thinking about that either.  I think maybe I’ve come up with a solution that might please both of us,” John said.

 

“Really?  What it is?” Anna asked.

 

“Well, I think that we ought to start fresh.  We both give up something and we either buy or build a house for ourselves.  We’ll keep your house because it’s what brought us together, but maybe you can rent it out.  Katie is so little, she doesn’t remember her mother or her mother being in our house, so a change won’t really be a concern for her,” John said.

 

“Oh, my goodness.  You’ve come up with a plan that is just right.  You knew I would be torn about selling my house after growing up there and everything.  Thank you, John, for that,” Katie said, her eyes filling with tears.  “But isn’t all of this going to be kind of stressful for you?”

 

“Well, maybe we could just plan the wedding and then afterwards you stay at my house for a little while, and then we start looking or decide to build,” John said. 

“That might make things a lot easier for you, John,” Anna said.

 

“But we’re going to use another bedroom.  There is a good sized one that is currently just full of junk.  I think that would be the right thing for you,” John said.  “I’ll get it cleaned out and fixed up for us.”

 

It was already May – two months until they decided to marry. 

 

“We have to go see Father right away.  They usually make couples wait six months so that might be a concern for us,” Anna said.

 

“I already called him and he says it’s okay.  He’s going to work with us himself.  He’s so excited about us getting married.  He said he’s watched in the wings as everything was unfolding and he knows what we’ve both been through,” John said.

 

It was a beautiful spring day and so John and Anna took a long walk in the park.  They walked for a couple of hours and then sat on a bench and watched some ducks on the pond.  He put his arm around her and drew her close and she put her head on his shoulder. 

 

When John dropped her off at the church parking lot for her car, Anna just hated to leave him.  She just couldn’t believe that in just two months she would be his wife.

 

One month later …

 

Anna had always been an organized person, and the wedding planning was no exception.  She had her dress – a short sleeved, scooped-neck dress in a pale blue; she had nixed a white dress.  Katie’s dress was white and came down to her calves, and she got to pick out some big girl sandals to wear which put a big smile on her face.  John was wearing a new suit, a blue shirt and a striped tie. 

 

Janet was asked to be the matron of honor and Janet’s husband was asked to be the best man.  Janet chose a pretty dress in a darker blue.  They decided to have a small reception, but include a great dinner for everyone coming at a restaurant in Addleford with a lovely party room.  John’s employees were invited, as was the entire group from the center, Mr. Collins, the LIccis and the kids from the Kentucky trip.  Anna’s aunt was coming in for the wedding too.  That put the guest list to around 50. 

 

John and Anna were attending sessions with Father at the rectory two nights a week, and Janet’s daughter had been a treasure to watch Katie so they could do this.   For flowers, Anna chose carnations tinted light blue as well as white roses and lots of greenery. 

 

The cake was a simple one layer cake but it was coming from the Italian bakery and their cakes were the best – with custard inside. 

 

For his part, John had changed his mind about the bedroom situation since the master suite was so much bigger.  But he had the bedroom set he and his wife shared put into storage for Katie for when she got older and he purchased a new set as a surprise for Anna, knowing by now what her tastes were.  His crew painted the bedroom a light taupe and he had the carpet company put down a cream colored berber.  The one thing Anna picked out was the bedspread and shams.  In the master bathroom, John had that painted and he also put down new tile flooring and installed a new sink. 

 

Anna’s Aunt Catherine arrived and Anna picked her up from the airport.  She was staying in the spare bedroom at Anna’s house and was very excited about the wedding.  She and Anna stayed up later in the evenings talking about everything from Anna’s mother to John’s wife to Katie to the house where Anna would live.

 

The day finally comes …

 

Anna and Janet got their hair done in the morning and then came back to Anna’s house to get dressed.  Janet brought along a sewing kit which was good because a button on Anna’s dress was loose.  Janet’s daughter and Aunt Catherine were watching Katie and they got the thrill of getting the little girl dressed for the wedding.  They curled her hair and put in a big light blue bow.  For a special treat, they agreed to put a little blush on Katie’s face and a tiny, tiny bit of lipstick.

 

John and Tony, Janet’s husband, dressed at Janet’s house too.  Like guys tend to be, it was a matter-of-fact preparation.  John and Tony were driving to the wedding to have enough room for everyone in the cars.

 

At the church, Fr. Jim had everything in readiness, and at around ten, they all got there.  Anna didn’t care if John saw her before the wedding; they had discussed all of that, but when he saw his bride-to-be, his face flushed. 

 

“Anna, you look so beautiful,” he told her.  She felt him staring at her.

 

Fr. Jim’s homily was short but it was excellent.  Some there said it was the best wedding homily they had ever heard.

 

“We have come here today to witness the wedding of John Peters and Anna Smithson.  These two people have both been through their share of heartache, but today is a celebration.  A celebration of their love, their commitment, their family, and their future.  We’ve been meeting a lot in order to prepare in just two months for this wedding.  I got to know John much better and I got to know Anna very well.  They are ready for this important step in their lives.

 

As those of you who have already been down that path, marriage is not for the weak; it takes strength, determination, and a willingness to bend in order to make it work well.  Jesus says that the love that two people have for each other is like God’s love for the church.  And those of us gathered today; we are church. 

 

For Anna and John, I would wish three things on this special day – three things for them to focus on and tend to regularly:

 

The first is to appreciate one another – daily.  Don’t let one day go by without recognizing something that the other person did to make life a little brighter and more joyful.  And then to take the extra step of thanking them for it.

 

The second is to stay in God’s word.  All of you probably know about John’s fall some months back, and his sense that his fall was broken, that he was caught in midair.  And who could do something like that?  Who can defy the laws of nature?  God, of course.  Nothing that God’s angels and saints do is without his knowledge and approval.  God wanted John to be well and whole and in that sense he sanctioned and blessed this coming together today.  Remember that not because God needs it, but because couples need it, to read the Word of God even if it is just a paragraph each day.  And ask His mother, Mary, to pray for you as well.

 

The third is to live the Christian life in your work, in your home, and with your child, Katie.  Raise her up in the life of the church.  And if God blesses you with other children, bring God into your home for them.  Make God real for them, and show them the way to heaven by your actions, your words, your love.

 

May God bless these two people and increase their love for each other through the bonds of marriage.  Amen.”

 

After the last prayers were said, after Communion, John and Anna kissed at the altar, and then turned to face the group assembled.  They were both beaming.

 

Katie and Janet walked down the aisle hand-in-hand, and then John and Anna followed behind.  Katie greeted each person with the words she had learned, “Hi, I’m Katie.  What’s you nem?”  When some of John’s workers came through the line, Katie said, “Hi Bill.  How eryou?” 

 

The dinner was wonderful; everyone had a great time and the wine flowed for the guests and the happy couple.  Katie danced around among the tables, followed closely by Janet’s kids who kept an eye on her.

 

John had one last surprise for Anna – he had arranged for Janet to watch Katie so he and Anna could have a proper honeymoon.  He had spoken to Mr. Collins about Anna having a week off and he heartily approved.  For their first night together they stayed at John’s house in the newly refurbished suite.  Sunday after Mass where John and Anna took some ribbing as the newlywed couple, John drove to Anna’s house and showed her some luggage. 

 

“How about I help you pack?  We’re going to New England for a week.  What do you say?” John asked her with an almost shy, expectant smile.

 

“What?  Oh, my goodness.  Can we really do this?  What should I take?” Anna said gasping.  “I can’t just leave work.”

 

“Mr. Collins gave it his full blessing.  I can help you if you want.  My bags are already out in the car.  I figure we could leave in the morning,” John said.  “I’ve never been to New England before, you?”

 

“No, I always wanted to though,” Anna said.

 

“And we’ll have another night here, just by ourselves,” John said looking at her intently.  “But if you don’t want to go … I’d gladly stay here for the week.”

 

Anna laughed.  “Let’s do it!!  You are going to change me from being that person who plans everything to someone who throws care to the wind, aren’t you?  Is that your goal?”

 

“No, didn’t think about it that way, but there’s nothing wrong with a little spontaneousness.”

 

The doorbell rang.  Who would be coming by at this time?

 

John answered the door and she heard him say, “Thanks, man.  That’s perfect.”

 

He came into the kitchen with a box of donuts from their favorite place.

 

“Who was that?”

 

“Tony … I asked him to bring us some donuts this morning.  So we could keep up with the tradition, even on our honeymoon,” John said.

 

 

Epilogue ---

 

Two years later, Anna and John celebrated their second anniversary together.  It was a little hectic, what with Katie going through the terrible “fours” and with 22-month-old Luke and Anna pregnant again and due in about three months.

 

John’s business had skyrocketed.  He had hired more people including an on-the-job manager so he could focus on working with clients, on getting plans approved, and on doing the purchasing. 

 

Anna and Mr. Collins remained close friends and they had come up with an arrangement.  After the new baby came, Anna was going to stay at home.  She would continue doing the Center’s books, that is, the accounting, but they had hired someone to take over the day-to-day operations of the Center.  Katie was already four and Anna wanted to spend more time with her before she started Kindergarten.  Katie and Luke were close and played together, and then at other times Katie got frustrated with her little brother.

 

“He’s messing with my things again, Mom,” she’d call to Anna. 

 

She started calling Anna “Mom” when John and Anna had been married for about six months.  It just started out of the blue one day, and “Kiki” was no more.

 

John’s three-bedroom house was starting to feel a little crowded, and now that they knew they were having another little girl, there were going to be some decisions to make.  Anna’s house was rented out to a nice couple who had just joined the parish. 

 

And so life goes on, and the minutes turn to hours and the hours turn into days.  Anna really took Fr. Jim’s homily to heart – she tried hard to do the three things that he mentioned.  And she especially thanked John for all of his kindnesses, but at the end of each day when everything got quiet and the kids were asleep she always said a special prayer to God, thanking Him for John.  John, the love of her life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna's Story - Part 37

(This is going to be an episode in Anna's Story that changes everything.  Thanks for going along with the ride.)


Part 37

 

The run-in with Jeremy had left Anna a bit shaken.  He brought into her new office the shame of the past, the mistakes she had made thrown in her face, and then the unexpected meeting with John – it started all the questioning all over again.

 

She went home and had a good cry, something she hadn’t done very often since her mother died.  She cried until her nose was all stuffed up and her eyes were red.  She cried as though there was no consolation to be found anywhere.  Then she used some 12-hour nasal spray and went to bed. 

 

“I’m tired and worn out and exhausted,” Anna said to herself.  “I just need a good night’s sleep.”

 

Anna totally crashed that night and drifted off into a deep, therapeutic sleep.  She was in such a deep sleep that when the alarm went off in the morning, she was actually confused as to what day it was and for a moment what she had to do.

 

Once the hot coffee was made and she had a chance to take a hot shower and clean herself up, Anna felt a lot better.  It was exhaustion and frustration and grief all rolled up into one.  She was an emotional casualty of life.  She prayed that God would lift her up and help her.

 

On the job a half an hour later, Anna got the report from the numbers at the open house, the sign-ups, and the number of phone calls.  It was very positive.  Mr. Collins called to congratulate her and the entire committee for a job well done. 

 

At around 9:00 a.m., Mrs. Ferguson came to her office with a huge vase of flowers. 

 

“Here, Anna, these came for you,” she said smiling.

 

There was a card.  After Mrs. Ferguson left, Anna opened it.

 

“Anna, you are the best.  Love, John.  Date on Saturday night, 7:00 p.m. sharp.”

 

It wasn’t a question; it was a statement.  Anna rather liked it and she started thinking about what she might wear.

 

And although the rest of the week dragged on a bit, Saturday did arrive.  She had called John to thank him for the flowers and he seemed very pleased that she liked them.  She asked him what kind of clothes to wear and he said she should “dress up.”

 

John arrived promptly at 7:00 p.m. and he had on a suit, crisp blue shirt and a tie, and he wore wing tips.  Quite a switch from his usual work day attire.  He looked unbelievably handsome.  Anna wore a lovely dark pink dress appropriate for a spring evening, and some strappy sandals.

 

“Where are we going?” Anna asked, looking over at this transformed John.

 

“It’s a secret,” John said.  “We’ll be there soon enough.”

 

They headed to Addleford but buzzed on through the city via the freeway and went beyond.  Soon, they pulled up to a remote rural place and she saw that it was a very beautiful old inn with pillars out front and a long balcony.  John parked the car and they went inside.  He had made reservations.

 

The place was gorgeous, the lighting very subdued.  They had wine, and then ordered their meals.  The cuisine was decidedly French.  They had cheese as an appetizer and then a salad, and then their meals, and then split a decadent chocolate dessert.

 

All the while John and Anna talked and talked.  No interruptions, no phone calls, no work, no stress.

 

At around 10:00 p.m., a strolling group of violinists came by the table and played waltzes for them.  Just after they left, John moved his chair over closer to Anna’s and whispered in her ear. 

 

“I hope you are ready for this,” he said in a whisper.

 

John stood up and then got down on one knee in front of Anna.  The musicians suddenly returned as on cue, and John held out a chocolate velvet box in front of her and flipped the lid.  It was the most beautiful ring Anna had ever seen. 

 

“Anna Smithson, will you marry me?” John asked, his eyes meeting hers.

 

Anna felt her heart pounding in her chest.  It was so unexpected, so not like her careful, paced John.  But she knew what the only answer could be.

 

“Yes,” she said and he stood up, she stood up and they hugged.  And he gave her a kiss and then slid the ring on her finger.  The band applauded and played one more song.

 

All the way home, Anna kept looking at her left hand with a sense of wonder.  She had never seen it coming.

 

“I know this probably seems awfully sudden, but don’t we know what we need to know already?” John asked.  “This is right, and we don’t have to get married tomorrow.  I love you.  Katie loves you.  Janet loves you.”

 

“So did you have something in mind for a date?” Anna asked.

 

“Well, what do you think?” he said, holding her hand while he drove.

 

“Would July be too soon?” she asked.

 

“July is perfect,” John said.

 

“Well, there is one other question then?  Where will we live?” Anna asked.

 

“Let’s figure it out tomorrow after church,” John said, giving her a kiss at a traffic light in Addleford. 

 

They were both like teenagers at that moment – carefree and so much in love.

 

 

Anna's Story - Part 36

(The reunion committee meeting went well.  It's fun to connect with people you've known for so long, and somehow nothing changes.)


Part 36

 

Sunday was one of those weather days that one wishes they could grab off the shelf at least once a week.  The smell of spring was in the air and the daffodils were reaching higher and higher out of the ground. 

 

Anna wasn’t sure what John had in mind for after church so she dressed a little more casually than usual.  She sat in the usual pew and said hello to some of the regulars as they came in.  It was getting close to Mass and still no John.   After what they’d been through so recently with John’s fall, Anna was getting very worried.  Half way through Mass she was even more concerned and she found herself distracted and not paying much attention through parts of it.  After Communion, she went back to the pew but she stayed only for the first verse of the song and ducked out the side door.  Once she got back to her car, where she had left her purse and cell phone, she looked to see if there were any messages.

 

There was a message and she fumbled on the phone to make it play.

 

“Anna, I’m so sorry.  Katie woke up during the night throwing up.  I thought maybe the first time it was just a fluke but she’s thrown up twice since then.  I hope you get this message.  If you do, call me right away,” John said in a soft disappointed sounding voice.

 

Anna called John.  He answered on the first ring.

 

“Anna, I’m sorry.  I tried calling you but you must have left your purse in the car.  I tried to call about ten minutes before Mass started,” he explained.

 

“It’s okay.  Is Katie all right?” Anna asked.

 

“I think so.  Must have the flu.  People keep telling me that the first so many years are pretty much like this with colds and stuff.  She’s settled down now and sleeping on the couch where I can keep an eye on her.  And I had to change the bedding and wash everything too,” John said.

 

“Do you want me to come over and help?” Anna asked.

 

“If you do, I’m afraid you’ll get it and you have to start at the Center tomorrow.  That wouldn’t be a very good way to do it.  You stay put and when it’s the right time in God’s time, we’ll have another date,” he said.

 

“That’s a good way to think about it – in God’s time.  Well, thanks for calling and I’ll see you soon.  I’ll call later to ask about Katie, okay?” Anna said.

 

“Sure, please do,” John answered.  “I’ll be here all day.”

 

Anna went home and she knew that John was so disappointed that it almost made hers go away.  She got some work done for the Center and then made herself some soup, even though it was nice outside.  She changed into some jeans and a top and put on a light jacket, then went for a long, long walk.  By the time she got home, the best part of the day was gone and she was good and tired.  She called John, and he said Katie was resting well and had not vomited since the morning.  He had been watching TV and dozing he said.

 

The quiet day gave Anna a chance to think about the open house, the Center, and especially John.  The image of his face was with her all the time.  She found herself wondering what he was doing at different points in each day.  Sometimes she dreamed about him.  Her life was beginning to be more and more an Anna-John life. 

 

John called Anna on Monday while she was at the center.  He told her that his business was really doing great especially since the publicity about the Center had gotten out.  He told her to be sure and get a copy of the local paper because the article about the Center’s open house was in it. 

 

Anna went to the corner store for a paper.  On the front page was a great picture of the Center with people coming and going, and kids with balloons.  On the inside page where the story continued, Anna saw a terrific picture of John smiling and pointing to an area of the Center.  Her heart skipped. 

 

The publicity about the Center apparently reached many households, because in the afternoon, when the kids had already started to arrive, Jeremy showed up unannounced.  Mrs. Ferguson didn’t know him and had no idea that Anna didn’t want to see him, so she sent him back to Anna’s small office.

 

He stood in the doorway looking rather smug.

 

“Wow, you got yourself a new job,” Jeremy said.  “This place is really something.”

 

“Yes, it is.  A big commitment on the part of the five churches.  This is the first day we are open for business, Jeremy.  I’m really busy,” Anna said.

 

“I’m sure you are,” Jeremy said.  “You don’t answer my phone calls though.”

 

“Look, I’m sure that we aren’t right for each other, Jeremy.  You need to try and move past what was,” Anna said.  “I don’t want to be rude, but I’ve really got to get back to work.”

 

“So you’re sure about this?  We were together eight years, Anna.  Eight long years.  That didn’t mean anything to you?” Jeremy said.

 

“Jeremy, it was you who left, remember?  But after you left, I realized that what we had before you left wasn’t very good.  You must remember that part of it,” Anna said.

 

Anna heard voices coming down the hall.  As the voices got closer, she knew it was Mrs. Ferguson and John.

 

John came in the office.  “Hi, Anna,” he said jovially.  He looked over at Jeremy and held out his hand.  “Hello, I’m John Peters.”

 

Jeremy shook hands with John.  There was an awkward silence that lasted for what seemed like minutes, but it was really only seconds.

 

“Jeremy, I’m with John now.  I hope you can understand?” Anna said.

 

“What?  You live together?” Jeremy asked.

 

John answered this time.  “Oh, you are Jeremy.  No, we don’t live together.  But we are definitely together,” John said with emphasis. 

 

Jeremy turned towards the door.  He glanced back and said simply, “Goodbye, Anna.”

 

Anna slumped in her chair.  John sat down in the guest chair in the room.

 

“Are you okay, honey?” he asked.  “Was he bothering you?”  John had never used the word 'honey' before.

 

“I’m all right.  He’s been calling for a long time now and I never answer the phone.  He must have seen the article in the paper and knew right where to find me during the day.  I think maybe today is the last time he’ll bother, or so I can hope,” Anna said.

 

“What I said, that we’re together.  I meant that, but saying you’re my ‘girlfriend’ just sounds so hokey,” John said.

 

Anna laughed.  “Just don’t call me your ‘lady friend’ please.  That’s over the top.”

 

“Well, I’m going to head home.  Had a shorter day today and so I thought I’d stop by and see how the first day here was going,” John said.

 

“It’s gone great.  We’re signing up a lot of kids.  Some of the people who couldn’t make the open house are coming today, even some grandparents.  It’s been nice,” Anna said.

 

Anna stood up to walk John to the door and he gave her a big hug.

 

“Hang in there with me, Anna.  You won’t regret it,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna's Story - Part 35

 (Hi Readers!  There's a good chance that I won't post tomorrow, but start again Thursday.  I'm going to Fairview Park for my 50th high school class reunion committee meeting tonight.  And staying over at my sister's into Wednesday.  So see you Thursday for more adventures of Anna.)

Part 35

 

It is often noted that those of us on earth, after having an encounter with a heavenly creature, are never the same.  So it was with John.

 

Anna noticed a difference almost at once.  When she picked him up from the hospital the next morning, he was pretty chipper for a guy with cracked ribs.  He got into her car with a few grunts and groans and she drove him straight to his house.

The night before, Anna had made John some homemade chicken noodle soup.  The temperatures in Ohio were still pretty chilly and she thought it might taste good to him.  So after John got himself situated on the couch, supported with a couple of cushions, she brought him one of those portable table trays and started heating up the soup.

 

“Oh, my gosh, that smells so good.  Why is it that everyone makes chicken noodle soup?” John laughed.  “But for me that’s a good thing.  It’s one of my favorites.”

 

Anna found a soup spoon and she put some crackers on a plate and then asked him what he wanted to drink.

 

“Good, hot black coffee,” John said.

 

“Coffee it is, then,” Anna said, pretending to salute.  “You’ve got to be miserable.  You are in such a good mood for what you’ve been through.”

 

“I can’t explain it.  Life is good.  Life is so precious.  When I was falling, so many things came into my mind.  You, Katie, Janet, God, everyone I love,” he said.  “I’m grateful to be in this good of shape.”

 

“Did the doctor talk to you this morning before I came?” Anna asked.

 

“Yeah, he did.  And he said again that he could not figure out how I wasn’t more seriously hurt.  He kept asking me – what broke your fall?  I told him what I told you – that it felt like someone caught me.  He just stared at me like I was nuts,” John said laughing. 

 

Anna stayed for a couple of hours with John.  He kept telling her he was okay on his own, but she stayed until she was sure he could get up and make it to the bathroom on his own.

 

“Wow, you are such a stubborn woman,” John said, slowly walking down the hall to the bathroom, shaking his head.  “And I thought Janet was bad.”

 

When Janet heard the story of John’s accident, she cried.  Anna had called her to tell her about it.

 

“Oh, that’s unbelievable!” Janet said.  “John has always been a little distant from everything in the church.  He did the basics, went to Mass and received the sacraments, but he just didn’t really express his faith much.  My sister used to worry about him.  When she got sick, she really worried because she was afraid that when she died, John would get angry at God and quit going to church.  She worried about Katie in that sense too.  I always reassured her, saying that John would find his way to God in a deeper sense,” Janet said.  “And today my prayers have been answered.”

 

 

Two days later John was back at work.  He said the guys couldn’t believe it.  The ladder he fell from was still leaning against the wall.  He looked at it – a 20 foot ladder – and just stared for the longest time.

 

His ribs were hardly bothering him at all.  He was so happy to get back into his routine.

 

The grand opening was just two weeks away, and everyone was working almost nonstop to put the finishing touches on everything.  Counters were installed in the kitchen and at the front desk.  The walls were freshly painted and a couple of art students came and painted a mural.  Carpets were laid.  Exercise equipment was delivered.  Desks and chairs were still in boxes, waiting for the study area to be ready for them.

 

The food had already been ordered, as well as some flowers for the front desk, and Anna had ordered colorful balloons to be placed all about.  Each child that visited would take one home.

Mrs. Ferguson, the woman who was going to be their front desk employee, was already getting her hands dirty in the preparations.  Anna had signed up several women from the different churches to help Mrs. Ferguson on grand opening day.  They learned how to fill out the forms, and getting closer to the date once the computers were installed, they would know how to help Mrs. Ferguson with that too. 

 

High school students were acting as tour guides.  Several students from the school were already working with the exercise science employee and athletic trainer on some demonstrations that they would put on, showing how the rooms would be used.

 

A local landscape company with close ties to St. Joseph’s donated shrubbery, bushes, trees and flowers for the front of the building.  They were busy out front with piles of top soil, mulch, and the materials to be planted.  The front walkway was already done and the file entry too.  The parking lot was still a muddy mess, but the asphalt was going to be installed in just two days.

 

It was coming together very well, although Anna felt stressed and tired.  She was seeing a lot of John, but most of it in the work setting.  One evening after work, she was surprised when John showed up at her house.

 

“What are you doing here?” Anna said.

 

“Well, last time I checked, someone special to me is living here and maybe needed a hug,” he said.

 

John held Anna for a long time, neither one of them saying a word. 

 

“I love you, Anna,” John said.

 

“And I love you, John.”

 

The Big Event

 

The day of the open house finally came.  The place sparkled thanks to a thorough cleaning the night before by scores of volunteers.  The work was done and now all Anna had to do was more or less watch it all unfold.  A  powerpoint slide program was looping in the gym area so that everyone could see what the site looked like as the building came up from the ground.

 

Neighboring businesses sent more flowers and one sent a huge tray of candy.  Congratulatory notes from the church pastors were framed on one wall that also featured many of the donors.  John’s business was on there, since he offered a reduced rate for his work on this particular project.

 

All of the construction workers were invited, as was the architect and the various trade laborers.  At ten o’clock when the doors opened, the place was humming with activity.  TV news cameras were taking shots outside and then came inside for more footage.  Anna was documenting the open house herself with a good camera that she owned.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Licci came by and stayed for a little bit.  They thought it was great.  Janet brought her own children and Katie at right around lunch.  They were serving pasta and salad to anyone who wanted some.  John thought to bring Katie’s high chair along and so she sat with her cousins and enjoyed herself and her lunch.  When she saw Anna, she smiled widely and proclaimed as she gestured with her index finger, “Kiki.”

 

It was an exhausting but a terrific day all told.  Only a few little wrinkles popped up.  One plug wasn’t working so they had to move the projector to another location.  There were still a few spots that needed to be touched up on the walls, but John said that all of the work would be done by Monday. 

 

The TV news reporters interviewed Anna, then John and some of the construction workers, and of course, Mr. Collins and all of the board members were on hand at various times during the day. 

 

The Center would officially open on Monday.  The following Sunday was Easter.

 

Janet and the kids all went home.  The place started quieting down by 5:00 p.m. and close was set at 5:30.  The caterer began cleaning up the tables and the kitchen area. 

 

John motioned toward a table and Anna went and sat down with him.  Her legs and feet were aching and she grabbed some pain reliever out of her purse and took some with a swig of punch.  John had some decaf coffee.

 

“So you start on Monday?” John asked. 

 

“Yes, Monday at around 8:00 a.m.  The Center will open every afternoon on school days, all day on Saturdays, but we will be closed on Sundays and all major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.  At some point, we may have some early morning events, but for right now, this is how it is shaping up,” Anna answered.  “What are you going to be doing?”

 

“I’ve got another job starting up Monday.  It’s another commercial job, a renovation in Addleford.  You might have heard of the old department store that’s been closed for years?” John asked.

 

“Oh, yes.  I went there with my mother when I was a child.  That should be really interesting,” Anna said.

 

“Should be.  So do you think that you and me will be able to find some time together now that this project is done?” John asked.

 

“YES!  I am going to keep regular hours.  No more of this crazy stuff,” Anna said.

 

“What about tomorrow?” John asked.

 

“Well, there’s church …,” Anna said.

 

“And then there’s after church?”

 

“Sure, that would be fine.  I’d like that a lot,” Anna said.

 

“I’ll be bringing Katie to church with me and then I’ll drop her off at Janet’s house.  Janet’s oldest girl has been really helping a lot, and taking a lot of the burden off of Janet.  She loves Katie to come over,” he said.

 

“There’s got to be a reason why teenagers are such good babysitters,” Katie said laughing.  “I spent enough time at it.”