MEGAPHONE 2016 I spent last weekend in Fayetteville at the Arkansas Women Bloggers’ Megaphone 2016 conference. It was my third conference in a month, but I didn’t want to miss it. It turned o…
Source: ROLE REVERSAL???
Reflecting on Life, Love & Faith
MEGAPHONE 2016 I spent last weekend in Fayetteville at the Arkansas Women Bloggers’ Megaphone 2016 conference. It was my third conference in a month, but I didn’t want to miss it. It turned o…
Source: ROLE REVERSAL???
Time and miles fly by in the company of a friend. Before we knew it, Ginger and I were at Maria’s where we parted company when Jill picked her up.
Around noon, I drove from Norcross to Mid-Town Atlanta to see Brady. (Just getting there was a blog-able experience in itself—thank God for GPS.)
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Guess which one’s the reluctant model? |
It was something Brady said over lunch that made me consider taking Lola home with me. You take notice when your grandchild confides that something makes him feel like a bad human being. Brady works from Can-to-Can’t and basically comes home to eat and sleep. He was already concerned, and when his landlord complained about hearing Lola cry when he passed in the hall, he felt terrible.
At my suggestion, we dropped by his apartment so I could meet that little showgirl. Folks, that’s what Lola is. She’s irrepressible.
And you know what I thought: Maybe I should find her a good home in Arkansas. He doesn’t even have time to do that.
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My favorite son-in-law Another Good Man! |
Brad Day, Emily’s dad, was all over the idea of Lola going home with Gran. On the way out to Maria’s birthday dinner, we swung by Goodwill to look for something to carry her in.
We were looking for something we could make do with. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I rounded a corner and spied a real CAT CARRIER.
Brad grabbed it and I picked up a Care Bear quilt to pad it. We started toward the register. But first, I needed to text Brady to be sure he wanted to do this.
Me: We’re at Goodwill looking for something to carry Lola in. Do you want to let her go?
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His eyes tell the story |
After meeting Brady for a fun birthday dinner, we took him home and picked up Lola.
It was heart-wrenching to see Brady’s expression when he looked at Lola through the car window. As we drove away, Brad noted that he sure looked sad.
Thought for the Day: Sometimes doing the right thing is painful, but living with the guilt and consequences of rocking along as usual is worse.
Once again, I was proud of a grandchild’s mature decision.
GRAN GOES TO ATLANTA
This is the third installment of Life Lessons from Lola, a series about an adorable kitten who’s traveled lots of miles and stolen lots of hearts in her journey home to Terry and me. Thursday I told you how Emily’s cousin, Brady, came to adopt Lola. Today I’m sharing about what took me to Atlanta and my first meeting with her.
A God Thing
Have you ever had an experience that seemed to be orchestrated by an unseen hand? You know—a chance meeting or a set of circumstances that changed your life, brought resolution to a problem, gave you a new friend or opened an important door. And in looking back, you felt it was just meant to be. Some people call such an occurrence A God Thing or A Divine Appointment.
I’ve had them. My most recent experience began in August when I saw a Facebook announcement for a one-day women’s conference sponsored by Church4Chicks.com in Georgia. The founder of the group is my new online friend, Shelley Hendrix, and my connection to FaithHappenings.com where I contribute devotionals.
Hmmm
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Maria back when |
Two things caught my eye.
It was in the Atlanta area, probably close to where my daughter lives. And it was scheduled for Saturday, November 8, which is her birthday.
Maria and I haven’t spent her birthday together in a long time because it’s so close to Thanksgiving, when they come to Arkansas. And it’s a long way to Atlanta.
Every time I saw that Church4Chicks ad, the desire to go grew stronger. I found myself thinking what if this is meant to be? So I did what lots Bible-reading folks do. I put out a fleece. You know, take one step to test the waters and see if details begin to fall into place. You know what happened next.
I texted Maria.
Me: Is Woodstock anywhere near U?
Maria: 45 minutes w/o traffic. Do you know someone there?
Me: There’s a conference on your birthday. I’m just exploring possibilities. Do U have
plans for the weekend? No pressure. It’s a long shot.
Maria: I have curriculum training for work on Sat.
Hmm. Maybe I could go to the conference while she in training.
Atlanta Here I Come
After talking further with Maria and Terry, I called my friend Ginger, whose daughter also lives near Atlanta, and invited her to go with me. Long story short, she jumped at the chance to be with her grandchildren. And she wanted to attend the conference.
So Ginger and I made our plans to drive to Atlanta on Thursday and come back on Sunday.
I was thrilled because
I had no plans on getting another cat—especially a female cat.
Was I in for a surprise.
Thought for the Day: When you’re attracted to a idea, take the first step. It might be the beginning of some important connection. It was for me, and I’m glad I did.
Lesson I Was Soon to Learn: Sometimes, we make our plans for one reason, when God has an entirely different agenda in mind.
Next time: Lola Goes to Arkansas
Copyright © Reflections from Dorothy’s Ridge 2014. All rights reserved.