A Cool Old Lady

I mentioned the book, “Remember, I Love You” in my last post. It is the story of Charlie Shedd’s (Letters to Karen, Letters to Philip) wife, Martha. She was a very quiet sort of woman but strong and passionate too. One of my favorite stories is when Charlie found what he assumed was a love note on the table until he opened it to read, “Dear Charlie, I hate you. Love, Martha”. Once she returned from her young mothers’ prayer group (!) they had a good clean fight.

Another time she got fed up with an older couple in the church who were talking behind Charlie’s back. She made a pan of pecan rolls and asked Charlie to accompany her to the couple’s home. They were very excited to see their pastor and his wife, especially bearing Martha’s famous rolls. She didn’t waste any time, “It has come to my attention that you have been criticizing Charlie. We have a rule, Charlie and I, that we will not tell a secret, or bother ourselves with public complaint, until we’ve heard it at least five times. Well, your five times have arrived, and I came here to tell you that your are going to shut up! The things you are saying can’t be good for the church , and they most certainly aren’t good for me. From now on, then, when you’re about to criticize my husband, you will remember my rolls and how they came to you. Understand?”

I just love that – dealing with things head on, confronting an awkward situation rather than pretending to be nice and seething with anger and bitterness.

I am clocking out. Sweet dreams.