Determined to Follow Jesus
The Red Head, George and Sam
Photo by Johan Anblick on Unsplash
After my Dad recovered from his serious injuries from a mine accident, he started to build up his broken-down body. He did pushups to strengthen his arm muscles. He also began to walk. He walked with a cane and a very noticeable limp. His one knee was held together by pins inserted surgically. His knee would never bend again. However, this did not stop dad from walking about two to three miles a day. He would walk in the hills behind our home called North Walkerville, Montana at that time, it was just an old country dirt road with fields of sagebrush, rocks and a somewhat rugged terrain. Today, North Walkerville is filled with new homes and beautiful landscaping.
My Mom to keep herself busy, would dive into her passion of creating and sewing beautiful quilts on her old Singer Sewing Machine. She would get lost for hours on her quilting projects.
Every day, Dad would say to mom, “I'm going for my walk.” Mom began to tease Dad that he was going to meet his redheaded girlfriend in those hills and that’s why he wanted to walk. It became a lighthearted joke between them. As Dad would get ready for his walk Mom would say “Going to meet that redhead again, are you?” Dad would just smile. It was all in fun.
Sometimes couples and families pick up little charming sayings for each other. My husband quite a while ago started calling me “George” to get my attention. It worked because I would respond to him immediately. I began to call him “Sam.” Not sure why, but the names stuck. One day in Wal-Mart, my husband yelled, “Hey George.” The clerk looked at us rather strangely and especially when I responded with “What Sam"?
In life sometimes you just have to not take things so seriously all the time. It is good to keep things lighthearted at times. It helps to get through the tough stuff of life. “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
Reflection question
What nicknames did your husband, wife, siblings, friends bestoy on you that helped you to lighten up and smile?
(Reprinted from my previous website: conniescatholiccorner.com which is no longer available)
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About the Author
Connie Beckman resides in Helena Montana with her husband and their dog Chewie and their two cats Heidi and Bailey. A number of years ago, she was the editor and feature story writer for a small bi-weekly newspaper. Connie has been published in a number of Catholic magazines. Margaret Ann Stimatz, Ruth Lloyd, and Connie co-authored a 40-day-reflection booklet entitled: Mercy for Little Souls which contains tidbits about the late Father Stu Long's powerful ministry with quotes from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy In My Soul. Mercy for Little Souls is available at Beyond.227.org. Her desire as a writer is to encourage Catholic spiritual growth by sharing the truths of the faith through the written word addressing a variety of subjects. "Go out to all the world and tell the good news." Mark 16:15.
