Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: BLUE (11/09/17)
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TITLE: I'd Been Set-Up! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Penny Neimiller
11/16/17 -
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“Just saying...” I replied back.
They were absolutely beautiful, but I had no interest in starting any new relationship. The ending of my marriage of twenty years had left me frightened and wounded.
Getting back to work after the lunch break, I quickly forgot about what just happened. It wasn’t more than a few minutes when I heard my name on the intercom. I was being instructed to return to my office. Annoyed, I skipped the elevator and flew down the steps, hoping this wouldn’t take too long. I had things to do.
Dashing around the corner and into the room, I almost fell over “blue” eyes and found myself blushing and stuttering, “Ah, Ah, Oh! Ah! What, what can I do for you?”
His smile was just as gorgeous as his eyes and I tried to keep my thoughts centered on what his answer might be, when he asked, “Could I maybe do some volunteer work for you? I could come in several times a week if you’d want. What do you think?”
Well, I certainly didn’t want to tell him what I had been thinking...and I couldn’t tell him my thought when he hit me with his question.
You see, I was in my teens during the late 60’s and early 70’s, and I had no problem with his long hair or even his earring. My problem was, what would the people he was volunteering to work with think? They were in their late 60’s, 70’s & 80’s not to mention, on up into their late 90‘s. My job was Activity Director in the small town’s nursing facility. I had my doubts as to how this could work out.
Someone else had different ideas though. Right after he asked what I thought, I asked the Lord, “What am I going to do with this character?” Immediately, I clearly heard back these two words, “Exercise Program.”
Hmmm...
Delivered that very morning was a box of exercise materials that were ordered several months before. Now, here it sat on my desk. Right in front of me. Right on time. Pulling open the flaps and lifting out some of the top items, I barely started speaking and telling him about this new program I wanted to start, when he excitedly blurted out, “Thera-band! Red has the least resistance, than yellow, green and last is blue!”
He already knew from his own time spent in therapy, more about the items than I did. My confidence grew as I recognized my prayers and needs for successful activities was being met once again. I had been set-up!
Smiling, probably wider than I ever should have been smiling... I asked, “When can you start?”
With in a couple weeks, both the residents and I looked forward to the days when blue eyes was scheduled. His kindness, thoughtfulness and humor were as welcomed in the dreary old place as the morning sun.
Talking with the resident that he had originally came into visit, I learned he was an honest guy who she dearly loved. He had done yard work for her before his becoming paralyzed. She said he was quite the worker. He never had much, but he wouldn’t take anything extra when offered, saying he was satisfied.
Becoming friends was easy. I’d offer him help with his wheelchair, but he was quick to deny. My mother was born crippled and I had learned not to insist. I became aware that behind his smile was some well hidden loneliness. I prayed asking how could I help, feeling he needed a friend, but denying even to myself that there could be anything more.
Before long, there was more. He snuck in a kiss, leaving me speechless.
Realizing I was falling in love, I prayed hard. More than not wanting to be hurt again, I was extremely aware of the hurt I could cause. I gave it all up to the Lord.
The Lord didn’t mess around. Being led, with confidence I allowed myself to trust again.
In just two weeks, “Blue eyes” and I will be celebrating twenty-two years of marriage and I still can’t help smiling when I remember how we had been set-up, and I thought it was just for a program!
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