A STITCH IN TIME | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: A STITCH IN TIME | Previous Challenge Entry
By Patricia Williams
10/30/06
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A STITCH IN TIME

Barb’s special invitation to dinner came at a very busy time in life but I was looking forward to the event. She was so excited about her lifelong friend coming to visit all the way from California to Arkansas. She wanted desperately for us to meet. I finished my last patient and hurried into my office, closed the door, and changed into my street clothes. I would have to hurry if I was going to be on time.

I hurriedly got out of the car and made my way to the door. I rang the doorbell.

“Oh, Patty, you’re just in time,”Barb declared as she took my coat and ushered me into the front room. I want you to meet my best friend Sarah. Sarah, this is Patty, a true gift from God. She stood by Jim and I when he was so close to death. She’s a one of a kind doctor and friend. “

Blushing and embarrassed, I greeted the very pretty, elderly lady that stood before me. She had an ere of familiarity about her. Three-fourth’s of my practice was geriatrics. They were all
precious to me. I felt I had a new friend right from the start.

The evening was lovely. The dinner setting was elegant and the meal delicious. It was especially pleasant for me to share in the joy of the evening. This couple had traveled through many months of illness and to be able to share in their laughter and enjoyment brought pleasure to my heart.

Since I had spent several years of my life in California I found myself enjoying their reminiscing because I was familiar with the area they were recalling. Sarah had spent thirty-five years teaching junior high girls and was struggling with a sense of loneliness because of her recent retirement.

“What subject did you teach?” I inquired.

“I taught several different classes but Home Economics was my favorite subject to teach,” she declared somewhat longingly.

“Really? I was so elated over getting to take classes in sewing and cooking when I was in Junior High School. I had always gone to a small rural school but in Junior High we were bussed into a larger town where everything was different and somewhat scary for me. I felt so safe with the cooking and sewing aspect of the class because I had gotten to do a lot of it at home.

“I’ll never forget our first project was a gym bag. I was so proud of the A I got on it. Then we did an apron. I ran into a problem with it. The teacher required I take it all apart because I hadn’t followed the rules. I hadn’t...”

“Basted your project first,” Sarah finished the statement for me.

“Robert Fulton Junior High? Mrs. Martin? I asked in total disbelief.

“Yes, Mam. Mrs. Edith S. Martin long time teacher at Robert Fulton Junior High. “ she said as we reached to hug each other, declaring that it certainly was a small world. The next few moments were spent in a whirlwind of memories

“If I remember I ended up lowering your grade because you hadn’t basted your gym bag, “ Sarah recalled. You were one of the few that got by my watchful eye on the first project.. I always hated lowering a student’s grade but it is so important to learn to follow the rules, even when you don’t think they are important or necessary.”

“Wow, that was so many years ago. At that time I thought you were just being picky. But, when I went into the field of medicine I fully understood your purpose in demanding I follow the rules, no matter how unnecessary I thought they were at the time. You helped prepare me for what I do today. Your requirements helped me avoid a lot of trial and error learning all the way through medical school.” I said lovingly as I hugged her again. I learned that obedience is definitely better than sacrifice. (I Samuel 15:22)

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