Well, I did it....I did my early voting. Now all we can do is pray and wait. Our times are in God's hands and no matter the decision on Tuesday, we must have confidence that the Lord continues to watch over us, and our nation.
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My wait in line, while chilly, was not terribly long, as I'd heard reports of three hours and all that. Less than an hour for in and out, thanks in part to having my "cheat sheet" along, the Sample Ballot. Of course, I voted for Travis, who I believe is a shoo-in. Can't wait to spend Election Night at the Holiday Inn Campaign Appreciation Event, watching the outcomes of all the elections, his of course, as well as Presidential. It will be good to be with like-minded people through this instead of at home by myself, in case it goes bad. Rosalie, I'll be thinking about you!
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After voting at the library, I went in and applied for a library card. Yes, Judy R., I did it! The lady entered my info in the computer and asked me if I'd ever lived on Misty Lake Drive, which I had. I used to take Timmy and Justin to the library after school or on special occasions for the children's events, readings, etc. The reason I was still in the system, here's my "Seinfeld" moment, was I had a fine outstanding!!!! I had to cough up for the past due fine before they'd issue me a new card. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out my wallet, ready to part with a huge sum of money to settle my account. The amount due? One nickle! She was embarrassed to even ask me about it. I joked with her about the "Seinfeld" episode and she laughed with me, knowing the show where the library cop came after Jerry for having a book past due for 25 years. He even testified against Jerry in the Finale trial. The so-called cop was like Joe Friday, a strictly business, no-nonsense type of guy. I gave the lady a dime, asking if she could make change and we laughed again. I now had a clear name and a new card in my wallet.
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She checked the computer to see if they have the McLeod Daughters series for Judy and me to watch when she's here but no dice. I did take out "The Piano" on DVD and the same lady took care of me for that as well. When I told her I'd never seen it, she said she'll be anxious to hear what I think about it. Then we started talking about "The English Patient", another "Seinfeld" reference which engaged another clerk in our conversation. The other clerk said she saw the episode on "Seinfeld" so never went to see the movie! I suggested we get it and watch together which they thought was a great idea. No such thing as a stranger, is there? Not in this household!
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Diane and I had a great chat this morning, even though my portfolio looks "ugly", in her words. She is, however, optimistic that the market is going to recover and showed me numerous indicators of such, using history as the measuring stick. I felt much better after the meeting, not only because of her presentation, but more because of our conversation. For nearly two hours we discussed the happenings in my life, recent and coming, especially how my financial future will be affected, if at all. She is most complimentary about my attitude and sense of responsibility, but I simply see much of it as being who and what I am. Not to say I don't crumble once in awhile but someone told me once, "It's not how hard you fall----it's how high you bounce!" Love it! Yes, we will fall, that's a given, but something is going to raise us up again, over and over and over. What is that something? Our gracious Lord in heaven!
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Speaking our Lord, we also talked about faith and forgiveness, through which I learned a great deal from Diane. Her father had been murdered, had given a lift to some hitchhikers and ended up being shot, left on the side of the road. She has worked through the horror of this and has come to grips with her feelings regarding the shooter. Her thinking evolved into not being able to receive forgiveness or deserve it from God if she didn't forgive the shooter, as though it blocked her view or reception of God's forgiveness. So, through prayer, she reached a faith point where she could approach him at sentencing, telling him she forgave him and would pray for his soul. Those who served him as chaplains or advocates report to Diane that he has professed his faith in God and she is prepared to see him in heaven. I assured her there are no tears in heaven so she won't have to "worry" about bumping into him and having the hard feelings return. We are going to be so surprised, I'm sure, when we get to heaven and see people there that we would not expect. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." I told Diane I am glad I don't have make those decisions, I really am, because I just don't have enough information! She is going to read "The Shack" after our discussion about the book, the walk in forgiveness I've been on with Jami and in Bible study. Our conversation today was another step in that direction, a great "investment" of my time this morning!
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I gave her a good laugh, too, by telling her that even though I am a writer, I am not a good reader, so it's odd to have me recommending a book to someone. I told her my standard line: I can dish it out, but I can't take it! Christine sent me a link to another book she recommends to me, written by Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry, of LA Law fame. They write about taking up residence in Italy, "Living in a Foreign Language". Read the synposis on-line and you'll see why this is going to be a great book for me, especially if I am curtailing my travels to the Mediterranean. Boy, I wish Justin could have gone with me on that trip---not knowing it might be the last trip!
