Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

“Did you open the garage door?”

Alan is working at home due to the coronavirus. The dining room table is his office. We have a room designated as my home office, so I have all my writing materials together in that room.

On a recent morning, I was upstairs and heard the garage door open and close quickly.

I called out to Alan, “Were you just in the garage? Is everything okay?”

I was hoping he did not see an unwanted creature in the garage. I pictured Alan standing in the garage, seeing a snake trying to come inside and then, Alan pressing the button to close the garage door as quickly as possible. All sorts of scenes were playing out in my mind.
Perhaps he was oiling the garage door chain, maybe he accidentally opened the door and hit the button to lower it again.

His answer came. “No, I wasn’t in the garage. I’m sitting here at the dining room table.”

My reply. “Did you hear the garage door open and close?”
The look on Alan’s face was priceless as I walked downstairs and saw him sitting at the table.
“What are you talking about? The door didn’t open. I didn’t hear anything.”
Well, I almost asked if he had his hearing aids turned off, but decided against inquiring about that.

“Okay. It must have been my imagination. I thought for sure I heard the door open and close.”
I was still confused and wanted to find the answer.

Taking a break from writing, I sat on the couch to watch some “mindless trivia” as we call some t.v. shows. Right as I found a comfy spot, the garage door opened and closed again.

“There! Did you hear it that time? That was the garage door opening and closing again. I knew I wasn’t imagining things!”

My heart raced as Alan went to the door leading outside to the garage. He checked the switch plate and the garage door for anything out of the ordinary. Everything looked good. Nothing strange. No reason why the door would open and close without us using the clicker or the wall switch.

We discussed calling a repair person and imagined how the conversation would go.
Something like, “Yes, we have a garage door that opens and closes by itself.” Can you imagine the person on the other end of that call? They would probably think we were a bit strange.

Back in the foyer, Alan asked if I knew anything about the white vehicle in front of the house. I did not have any information. We considered maybe someone was visiting a neighbor.

About the time we had considered various options as to why the door was opening and closing, Alan received a text on his phone.
The rental company representative of the home we rent had stopped by and brought an extra garage door opener for us. She didn’t think we were home and so she tried the opener several times and left it on a table on our front porch.

Mystery solved. Alan and I laughed and laughed. Then, I had to send a message to the nice lady explaining how she had given us the giggles and a true mystery with her actions.

Again, I thanked God for giving us laughter and joy. Amidst all the turmoil going on in the world, God provided something simple that caused us to pause and laugh.
Remember our family motto. “It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons”.
Have you ever been in a funny situation? Share with us.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson



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51 Comments
  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 08:07h, 06 July Reply

    LOL! I’m not sure I would have been as calm as you, Melissa. Hum…could there be a cozy mystery penned by you in the future? I’m working from home as well. Recently, I was in the house alone and I kept hearing a strange noise. At first I thought Derek had come home, but when I called out, there was no answer. As I crept down the upstairs hall, I continued to hear the noise. Once inside the bonus room, I jumped when I spotted a beautiful American goldfinch fluttering against the window at his reflection. For two weeks, he came to the same window. I guess he thought he was looking pretty handsome. 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:26h, 06 July Reply

      I thought I was hearing things and Alan probably thought I was hearing things, too. haha! A goldfinch! They are beautiful. We share a love for birds. Glad the sound was a bird and nothing else. 🙂 Have a blessed week!

  • Vickie's Kitchen and Garden
    Posted at 10:46h, 06 July Reply

    That’s wild! I was just reading a scary mystery and so I was thinking the worst. I’m glad that it was only the representative!
    Have a great day!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:27h, 06 July Reply

      Yes, wild! 🙂 I’m glad the mystery was solved. Have a blessed week!

  • J.D. Wininger (@JD_Wininger)
    Posted at 12:50h, 06 July Reply

    I can’t think of anything as comical as that mystery Ms. Melissa. Thank you for the smile this morning ma’am. Some strange things can happen around the farm, but I’ve never had the garage door seemingly operate by itself. When I lived in the city though, I did hear of neighbors that had to reprogram their openers as it would operate another’s garage from time to time. That would be disconcerting. Glad you and hubby could find the humor in it.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:56h, 06 July Reply

      I am thankful God gives us so many fun adventures in life. Amidst all the worry in the world, God definitely gives the Henderson family lots of ways to find joy. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Diana Derringer
    Posted at 13:34h, 06 July Reply

    Aren’t you thankful for those funny moments, Melissa? Blessings.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:37h, 06 July Reply

      Yes, definitely thankful for the funny moments. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Anne Mackie Morelli
    Posted at 13:36h, 06 July Reply

    Glad the story shifted for you and Alan – from being uncertain and scary to have a good answer and funny!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:38h, 06 July Reply

      Thank you Anne. I should have known there was a funny explanation. 🙂 Our family motto is “It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons”. Have a blessed day!

  • Josie Siler
    Posted at 14:09h, 06 July Reply

    That’s so funny! I’m glad the mystery was solved! Once when I was little, my family and I kept hearing something that sounded like a heartbeat. Telltale heart anyone?!) We searched the house and finally found my heartbeat baby doll under a pile of blankets. We still have no idea how we could hear that downstairs over the noise of the TV. Spooky! 😂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:13h, 06 July Reply

      Wow! That is spooky! Glad you all found the source of the sound. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 14:18h, 06 July Reply

    Hahaha! That is too cute. You and your husband sound just like us. 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:20h, 06 July Reply

      God gives our family many moments to laugh about. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Bettie G
    Posted at 14:28h, 06 July Reply

    Oh, those times of laughter are such a gift when they come! I’m so glad that our Lord has a sense of humor! Thank you for sharing these chuckles with us today, so that we can smile too!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:33h, 06 July Reply

      Thank you Bettie. I am thankful for all the funny moments God provides. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Karen Ruhl
    Posted at 14:31h, 06 July Reply

    I was just about to send you a note telling you that people sometimes have the same frequency on their garage door openers and be careful if someone is sitting outside when you mentioned the text! I agree with the others, you were calmer than I would have been. I would have been outside and around the house after the first time I heard the garage open. Cute story, thanks for sharing.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:34h, 06 July Reply

      Thank you Karen. You know how it is with the Henderson family. Always something funny happening. I wonder what laughter God will bring this week. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Stephen De La Vega
    Posted at 16:17h, 06 July Reply

    So funny! I thought you were going to say the van outside was up to no good. Hate to say, that’s were my mind goes sometimes. I should have more faith in people. 🙂 Thanks for another fun “always a story.”

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:33h, 06 July Reply

      Thank you Stephen. I don’t know what laughter the Lord will give me today, but I look forward to the fun. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 20:14h, 06 July Reply

    So funny. Glad you solved the case of the mysterious garage door opening and closing. 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:00h, 06 July Reply

      I am glad the mystery was solved quickly. haha! Always something happening here. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Mary Quigley
    Posted at 20:42h, 06 July Reply

    My sister had a funny situation like this. Her neighbors across the street got a new garage door opener and it somehow ended up being programmed with the same info as hers. So every time they opened their door, hers would open and vice versa. Took them a couple of weeks to figure it out because the garages don’t face each other. They all had a good laugh when they figured it out. It just had to be reprogrammed.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:01h, 06 July Reply

      Technology is amazing when it works properly. haha! That must have been a funny sight when the wrong doors opened. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Melissa McLaughlin
    Posted at 22:19h, 06 July Reply

    Melissa, what a cute adventure, from the comfort of your own home! I’m glad this had such a happy ending. It would make for a great chapter in a mystery novel! Thank you for the smiles!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:29h, 06 July Reply

      Thank you Melissa. I just might have to write a mystery. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Diana Rockwell
    Posted at 22:49h, 06 July Reply

    This was great, a good mystery. Blessings Diana

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:30h, 06 July Reply

      Thank you Diana. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • June Foster
    Posted at 02:59h, 07 July Reply

    What an intriguing story yet the mystery had such a simple explanation. So glad that it’s always a story with the Hendersons.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:12h, 07 July Reply

      Thank you June. Yes, “It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons.” Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Karen
    Posted at 05:11h, 07 July Reply

    A great story, amusing as usual, dear Mimi. Actually, when I was a child, our family experienced the same thing with our garage door. It would go up, sound like a car drove inside, and then go down. Nobody came in the house, so when we looked, the garage would be empty. Lots of other strange things happened in that house, and it spooked my mother so badly that my parents sold the house and moved out within six months of moving in. Not positive if it was haunted, but it makes a good story. I’m glad your house is free of ghosts, LOL. Blessings, sweet friend. xoxo

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:15h, 07 July Reply

      WOW! I would have moved from that house, too. How strange! Interesting how things happen sometimes. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Ava Pennington
    Posted at 05:33h, 07 July Reply

    I confess, my thoughts traveled to a more sinister outcome when you mentioned the car!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:16h, 07 July Reply

      Ava, that sure was a strange experience, especially when we saw the car. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Gail Johnson
    Posted at 17:09h, 07 July Reply

    Hehe. I would have been searching the garage for the culprit! Goes to show patience wins the day. Great story. 😄

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:22h, 07 July Reply

      We were definitely wondering what was happening. Thankfully, the mystery was solved. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 13:28h, 08 July Reply

    Oh my goodness. This would give me a scare but so glad you figured it out. Once, we had a neighbor reprogram their clicker so we used the same frequency. Every time we opened ours, there’s would open too. God is good to provide us humor in life. Thanks

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:38h, 08 July Reply

      The whole situation was a bit scary until the mystery was solved. I’m glad God provides humor in everyday moments. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Nancy E. Head
    Posted at 15:20h, 08 July Reply

    I love your stories! God bless, Melissa!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:10h, 08 July Reply

      Thank you so much Nancy. That makes me happy. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Candice Brown
    Posted at 00:01h, 10 July Reply

    This reminds me of what my wise fiance said the other day: most of the things we stress and worry about turn out to be non issues. Even if the things we fear come to pass, our God is bigger than the bogeyman. There’s no need to fret.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 00:11h, 10 July Reply

      Amen. No need to fret. God is with us. Great reminder Candice. Your fiancé is wise. Have a blessed day!:-)

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 20:38h, 11 July Reply

    That’s really cute! I can imagine that exact scenario playing out, complete with the yelling from the other room, the look of consternation on your husband’s face, the concern of you both when it continues to happen, and then, of course, the simple explanation. I love how you wrote this up. You’re a great storyteller, Melissa!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:01h, 11 July Reply

      Thank you so much Melinda. The experience was truly funny, once the mystery was solved. I appreciate your support and encouragement. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • debwilson2
    Posted at 15:28h, 21 July Reply

    LOL! I’m glad you got the mystery solved! That would have been a big distraction for me.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 15:42h, 21 July Reply

      We are still laughing about what happened. “It’s Always A Story with The Hendersons”. Have a blessed day!

  • Kristi Ann
    Posted at 19:55h, 30 July Reply

    Amen and Hallelujah Great Post Sweet Sister in Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah Melissa!!

    Love Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/

    Kristi Ann

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:02h, 30 July Reply

      Thank you Kristi Ann. Praying you are well. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Lorrie D. Grant
    Posted at 23:42h, 16 September Reply

    One time I changed the code on my garage door opener. The next time I pushed the button, not only did my garage door open, but so did the garage door of my neighbor across the street. I can only imagine what they were thinking.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:54h, 16 September Reply

      Lorrie, that is funny. haha! Have a great week! 🙂

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