A Serendipity

Several years ago, my sister and I determined that, based on our behavior, the thing we most feared in all of life was getting stuck somewhere with nothing to read. In doctor’s offices, in carpool lines, while waiting for various appointments, we have stashed in our purses, the car pockets, inside jackets, coats and sweaters, a variety of books, magazines, and/or newspapers.

Modern audio options; well, the way things are improving and changing, they may be old and obsolete in a couple of years (or months)

I still feel that way; but things are so much easier now. I’ve got books on my phone’s Kindle app. No more lugging a whole book with me to doctors’ offices. (And no more relying on outdated or boring magazines there.) When I’m driving, whether in town or on the highway, I’m often listening. The library has Playaways, little audio book players that are smaller than my phone. I put in a AAA battery and ear buds, and I’m good for several hours. I can import audio disks to my computer, transfer them to the phone, and listen to a good book while I’m working in the yard or doing housework.

So I was well-armed when we left town three weeks ago on a two-and-a-half week trip. (Waco to Memphis [pick up Aunt Frances], Memphis to Sevierville, TN [leave Aunt Frances and David at his Mother’s], Sevierville to Ridgecrest, NC [to attend the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference], back to Sevierville for a few days, Sevierville to Harper’s Ferry WV [to visit my cousin Nancy], back to Sevierville for a few more days and a wedding, then Sevierville to Memphis [drop off Aunt Frances], and back to Waco-3400 miles, says David.) I had a book on the phone (for driving, as the phone’s book would play through the car’s “Infotainment” system), three Playaways (for driving and knitting-done separately, of course, not at the same time), and two actual, real books.

Niece Jessica’s lovely bridal bouquet (Thanks, niece Nicole, for the photo)

At the wedding, my husband and I were sort of in charge of his mother, the 91-year-old grandmother of the bride. After the ceremony and drinks-and-hors d’oeuvre time, we maneuvered into the tent part of the reception area and found three seats at a big round table. Another couple was already there, and we all introduced ourselves. They had been friends with my sister-in-law, her husband, and their daughter (the BRIDE) for years. My mother-in-law pointed over to me and said “She’s a writer.”

“Oh,” the couple said, smiling brightly. Their daughter-in-law wrote, also. They tried to talk about it, but the food service line had begun to form right by our table, and the music had begun to play. We put off chatting for a while. After we finished eating, I went around to their side of the table and sat between them so we could talk. “Tell me what your daughter-in-law writes,” I said.

“Well,” they said. “She writes novels.” Now, I know that writing novels and having novels published are two different things. So, I waited a moment, hoping for a little more information.

Yep. There it is.

The husband went on. “Her first book was called The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott.” I was absolutely speechless. No, really. I was. Actually speechless for several, at least five, maybe ten, seconds.

My face gave me away, I guess.That open-mouthed, slack-jawed, wide-eyed expression must have meant something. “You’ve heard of it?” he asked.

“I’ve read it!” I said. “Well, I listened to it. But, yes. Just last month. I like to listen to books when I’m in the car. I’ve just listened to it. And I liked it. Quite a bit”

Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that.

Luke 6:31-32 (The Message)

I really enjoyed talking with that couple, asking about their daughter-in-law’s research and her next published book and the book she’s editing for publication now. During the trip, I had lots of opportunities to be kind and receive kindnesses, as we traveled, from relatives and innkeepers and fellow writers and friends and complete strangers. What joy! And peace. And patience. And, well, you know…