Yesterday was so busy, I hardly know where to begin. Sunday, my new church offers a full schedule with Bible Study at 9:30 AM, Services at 10:45 AM, and an Evening Prayer and Study Service at 6 PM. Luckily, the plans left a little in the middle for vittles. Each time I attend, the congregation grows by a few more. A chapel of friendly people all searching for personal answers.
Most of the parishioners are long time members. There is another Joy in the group who I met yesterday. We both have December birthdays and like personalities. Young and willow-y tall, she teaches Vacation Bible School. Tall Women confident enough to wear high heeled boots with skinny jeans are refreshing. At over 6′, she embraces her height. Another new friend.
Hawaiian Tutu is an exotic and beautiful woman, with her Hawaiian accent flowing like the trade winds. At Bible Study, I chose to sit on the corner between HT and the leader of the group, Strong Girl. These two women could run the country, and yet both are almost deaf. SG, age 70-something, confided that she is working with 10% hearing out of one ear only. HT is 64, with beautiful long grey hair. Sitting next to her, I could feel Aloha spirits dancing around her head. Impressive women, these two, they’ve been through many more hardships in life than me and have much to share.
“Love in A Cookie” joined the group while bringing some homemade delicious-ness. Tiny tart-shaped cookies filled with fudge and drizzled with chocolate. Just one cookie was plenty to savor. My teacher friend, who I met the week before, appeared again. Everyone listened intently while applying the lesson to their own lives.
An interesting lesson it was. Our Body. God. Our Body and God. Respecting our body while respecting God. Fill in whatever blanks you think appropriate. A lot to think about in one short hour. Not exactly what I would’ve expected for a Sunday morning Bible Study, but perhaps a message I needed to consider. I’ll be rereading that chapter for further consideration.
The visiting Pastor should be on television. His choice of words, heavily infused with southern charm and wisdom, held everyone’s attention. Fluid in his knowledge of people in the Bible, he can talk for hours about practical applications to everyday life. Listening to him describe the Jewish people of more than 2,000 years ago, I felt they might walk through the door to join us. The human condition is the human condition, whether then or now. His mastery pulled me back for the evening service, just as rich and interesting.
That left a small window of time for vittles. For non-southern types — translation — Food. My meal at the Tee Pee Bar and Grill was a little brighter, as I didn’t dine alone, but with a “new-come-er” to our little town. The homemade bean soup was delicious, with just a cup providing a hearty lunch. Friendships are the one thing lacking in my life right now. Remembering my own loneliness during the last 15 months, I was glad to provide conversation and information to someone new to town.
Respect and reciprocal dialogue are refreshing. Getting to know a stranger one question at a time is similar to a jigsaw puzzle. Edgy questions create boundaries and the general shape of things to come. Then, slowly, the picture starts to form. In an hour, we found the corner pieces.
The waitress, normally sarcastic and funny, was reserved and professional, while giving me an inquisitive eye. She’s friendlier every time I eat there, now that I’m known as a local. Each time I venture into town, more connections are formed. My roots are sinking deeper. This little place is home, even though on some mornings, it feels as foreign as the day I moved in. One thing that has helped is exchanging first names with people. Such a lost art in the busy world in which we live, but crucial to begin any relationship. I’m learning all the players at the Tee Pee Bar and Grill because a girl can’t have enough connections.
Miss Firecracker’s absence is felt every day. With texts and phone calls, we’re keeping in touch. In two weeks, a spa vacation awaits us. Food, laughter, relaxation, and shared secrets late into the night, (complete with giggling, of course), will be delightful. I wonder if they call security for uproariously laughter? I guess. Every time I enter the Tee Pee, I fully expect to be holding a table for us. We shared a flashlight during the very black days of early widowhood. We sure did.
Today, there are no church services to attend. No Junior Rodeo. No lunch date or other activities. With smoke as thick as fog from California fires, today is a day to hunker down and process the events of the weekend while resting my brain. Melchizedek and all.