Birthday Lunch…Wrong Car
“Let’s go to lunch and celebrate your birthday and my birthday.” A dear friend recently suggested we go to a local restaurant and celebrate birthdays. Of course, I agreed. After finding a time that suited both of us, we scheduled the day and looked forward to the special time together.
On the chosen day, my dear friend drove us to the destination. A lovely local eatery known for delicious food. Along the drive, we chatted about the recent happenings in life. From joys to worries, this is a trusted friend with whom anything can be shared.
We arrived at the restaurant, entered the building and the front desk person greeted us with a smile. Sharing that we had a reservation, the server took us to our table immediately. The place was crowded as it was lunch time. Sounds of conversations between patrons and staff filled the air. Laughter became louder as chats continued. Dishes of delectable food being delivered and placed on tables made me pause to see what people were ordering.
After placing our orders for food and beverage, my friend and I continued talking. Grandchildren are always a topic of conversation. The delight of living close to those special children was evident in our shared stories of the new school year, overnight visits, and more.
The food arrived and we enjoyed every bite. Dessert was chosen after we had finished eating our meal. Yummy to the tummy. In fact, there was so much food that we asked for “to go” boxes for the extra food.
The time had come for us to leave the restaurant and return home. After thanking our server, paying the bills, and grabbing our food to take home, we stood and walked to the front door. Continuing to chat and laugh, my friend and I watched for vehicles as we crossed the parking lot. All was clear and we headed to her car.
I walked to the passenger side and began trying to open the door. Nothing happened. Dear friend was on the driver’s side attempting to open her door. Nothing happened there either. A few moments passed and I heard her say, “This isn’t my car.”
Yes, we were so busy talking and enjoying the day that we attempted to enter the wrong vehicle.
There was a similarity between the vehicles. Same color, same brand.
Only problem was that it was a different model of SUV and definitely did not belong to my sweet friend.
Laughter began and we giggled all the way to the correct car. When we were seated in the correct vehicle, I turned to my friend and said, “You know, “It’s Always A Story With the Hendersons”. She laughed and agreed. Now, she feels like a Henderson, too.
Good thing we didn’t set off any car alarms.
This funny situation caused me to thank God for the laughter and blessed friendships He brings to our lives. We may try a wrong door at some point, but God will lead us to the correct door. I am thankful to know the door to God is open and available in every moment.
Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
New Neighbor Giggles
“Hello! How are you today? Nice to meet you. Welcome to the neighborhood! Where did you live before moving to the Lowcountry?”
These are some of the questions often heard in our neighborhood. The area is filled with friendly folks. Some have lived in the area for a while and others have recently relocated from another state. The same conversations are shared as each person is welcomed into the community.
A variety of ages is one of the things that makes our neighborhood wonderful. From young couples with new babies to seniors who have retired, we are blessed with caring, compassionate friends.
Recently, Alan and I met a lovely couple while taking our evening walk. Greetings were exchanged and a delightful conversation started. Sharing about children, grandchildren, and reasons for moving, the chat continued with laughter and joy. We talked about how we would easily remember their names because the man has the same name as our son, Mike. The sweet lady, named Joanne, reminded us that her name is the same as a craft store.
When time came for Alan and me to proceed with our walk, we said goodbye. We looked forward to seeing the couple again soon.
Days later, Alan went to the grocery store. He returned and mentioned how he had seen the man we had recently met. “I saw the new guy. He was at the store. He said they are building a house and moving to another part of the state.”
My reaction was shock and disbelief. “Wow, they just moved here. Are you sure? Houses sure do sell fast around here. I didn’t know they were building a home. They are so nice. I’ll miss them when they move.”
We talked more about houses selling fast in the Lowcountry. Some homes in our area are under contract the day the house is placed on the “for sale” listing.
I hoped we could chat with the couple again soon, especially before they moved.
Friday evening, Alan and I went to the local big box store to shop for certain items. As we walked through the aisles, we noticed our new neighbors shopping.
“Hello, hello. How are you all today? Are you really moving?” A perplexed look appeared on their faces.
At that point, Alan began to share the rest of the story. He had not updated me on the mistake he had made. Perhaps he was a bit embarrassed, but now the truth would be revealed.
Alan spoke. “Hey, funny story. I went to the store the other day and saw a guy who looked just like you Mike. I approached him and introduced myself again, reminding him how we met the other day while walking. The guy nodded and said he remembered. I carried on a full conversation with the guy. He told me that they are building a house and moving.”
Later that same day, Alan had seen our neighbors driving by the house. The man, Mike, still had his mustache. The man Alan had chatted with at the grocery store did not have a mustache. Oops.
Alan had enjoyed a conversation with a stranger and the person never corrected Alan’s mistake.
I had to laugh out loud as I shared with our new friends that Alan never told me the rest of the story and about his error in talking with the wrong person. We all laughed and continued with a joyful visit right there in the aisle of the big box store.
I do need to share with our new friends about our family motto.
“It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons”.
Have you chatted with someone who wasn’t the person you thought you were talking to? A case of mistaken identity?
What happened when the mistake was revealed?
Lord, thank You for new friends. Thank You for laughter. May we all find joy in each day.
Amen.
Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Ten and Ten
Lunch with friends brings conversation, laughter, sometimes tears, always prayers, delicious food and more. Recently I attended a birthday celebration gathering for a dear friend. The fun began while we were riding to the restaurant. Arriving at the establishment, we were promptly shown to our table and the server brought water and menus.
We inquired about the lunch specials, placed orders for food, and began chatting. Catching up on life events and sharing about children and grandchildren are usual topics of discussion. Of course, I have to give the latest update on Rowan and Eden. There is always a funny story to share with everyone.
Sharing life with these friends brings joy. Each person is experiencing a different life journey. In this special group, we know thoughts and prayers will be said for each person.
As we finished the meal and dessert, time had come to pay the bill. Each person was paying for their own food. The server was gracious in creating separate bills for each lady. Some paid with cash and others with credit card.
The nice lady who was taking care of us collected the payments and went to the register.
She returned with change and receipts for everyone. Well, everyone except me. I had paid with cash and was expecting some dollars back. I waited patiently and then inquired about my change. I had planned to give a nice tip, but still wanted the money so I could decide the amount of tip to give.
Several people at our table called the server. We explained how I didn’t get any change back. The sweet lady looked at me and said, “Oh, I know exactly what I owe you. Sorry about that.”
She walked to the cash register and found the amount due to me. Bringing the dollars back, she apologized.
I still wanted to give this woman a nice tip. She had worked so hard to help our group. She was polite, efficient, and quick with the orders. So, I gave a $10.00 tip. This sweet server kept saying, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
After the luncheon, I arrived home to find a wonderful email from a friend. The news stated that I had won a $10.00 gift card to use online. Wow!! What a nice surprise!
God is so good. I gave a $10.00 tip and He gave me $10.00 back. Thank You God.
Have you experienced anything like this?
Have a blessed and joy filled day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Alert and Ready to Act
Listen. Listen for any message that God sends. Be ready. Follow that gut instinct. Yes, I’ve said or written those words many times. I pray that I will always be ready to listen for His instruction and that I will follow through and act accordingly. Sharing His love with others is important.
Recently, I failed to follow my own instructions. I failed by not listening and taking action at that moment. My intentions were good. But, something odd happened and I didn’t realize the message God had sent until later.
The gut instinct was there, but I chose to hurry along with items on my “to do” list.
A strange thing happened. I opened my phone case to check for emails. Instead of my email list, a weather alert popped up. Big bold letters about the weather forecast for the Philippines. My first instinct was to say, “Why am I getting alerts for the Philippines? I didn’t put that setting on my phone.”
I quickly scanned the forecast and thought there must be a mistake. A typhoon was forecast for that area. Authorities called for everyone to take shelter as soon as possible. I paused and prayed for the people and animals in the path of the bad weather.
Refreshing the screen, the next window showed the local forecast.
Weather in the Lowcountry of South Carolina would be unusually warm for the next few days. Records could be broken. Temperatures in this area can change quickly.
I scanned a few emails and put the phone away.
The next morning, I awoke to the realization that the message on my phone about weather in the Philippines should not have been put aside. My “to do” list could have waited. God had sent me a strong message through that weather forecast on my phone. I should have been alert and ready to act.
The fact is that Alan and I sponsor a child in the Philippines. There was only one way a weather alert could have come to my phone. God. God was giving me a way to pray for our sponsored child and his family. I had neglected the tap on the shoulder from God.
Realizing my failure, I went to God in prayer and asked for His forgiveness for not being alert to His prompting.
I began praying for our dear sponsored child and his family. I prayed for every person and animal affected by the typhoon.
While a typhoon was hitting the Philippines, this country was dealing with horrible tornado outbreaks and loss of lives and property. I prayed for all those people and animals, too.
God teaches us the most valuable lessons in every moment. He provides opportunities to share His love with others and the ability to pray for each other.
The next time I feel a nudge from God, I plan to be alert and ready to act. My “to do” list can wait. His creations are more important.
Thank You God for forgiving me.
We await news on our sponsored child and his family.
I pray 2022 will be a year filled with love, laughter, and many blessings from God for everyone.
Have you been alert to His messages lately?
Happy New Year,
Melissa aka Mimi
Canopy Lessons
A glorious sunny Saturday in the Lowcountry called for a local fall festival to be enjoyed by young and old. Crafts, jugglers, homemade food, a scarecrow on stilts, and more brought a fall atmosphere. I signed up to participate and sell copies of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Preparing for the event took time and effort to make sure everything was ready to go. A plastic tub with supplies for the event was filled with books, stickers, bookmarks, and a few candy treats. I also needed a table and two chairs.
Each of these vendor events call for readiness before the actual activity. This time, tables would be positioned on a certain area of lawn. Folks would be ready to sell their items and make new contacts and possible friendships.
One new important part of my “list” of items to take to the festival was a canopy. Since I would be outside, a canopy would shelter me from the bright sunshine and provide a comfortable place for people to look at my books. A few autumn decorations completed the atmosphere of my “booth”.
A few days before the event, my husband Alan and I decided to open the box with the brand new canopy to make sure we knew how to set it up. Wait…notice that we chose a few days before the event to check on the canopy. I would have preferred to open the box as soon as we purchased the item. Yet, Alan felt he could put that canopy together without any trouble. He didn’t need directions. According to him, the photos on the box made assembly look easy.
Picture this. Alan and I are standing in the backyard. Canopy box opened, canopy, spikes, rope, and yes, directions, pulled out of the box.
The video online had shown one person assembling the canopy and lifting the cover with one hand. No problem. Well…
Alan decided not to read directions. He asked if I would stand on one side of the canopy and help to lift the 8 x 8ft metal in the air. No worries until we got the canopy base halfway up and realized we forgot to put the actual cover on the top. What good is a canopy without a cover?
Imagining the neighbors watching the situation, we looked around. A nice man across the street had been sitting on his back porch. “Do you need some help?” He asked. Chuckling, we said, “Thank you, we’ll figure it out.”
By the time Alan and I finally got the cover on and the canopy raised and secured, we were laughing at ourselves.
We should have read the directions first.
The canopy worked great at the event. The sunshine and the strong South Carolina coastal breeze didn’t cause any worries. I was safe and secure under the brand new canopy.
God provides directions for us. The Bible is the Word of God and we can find answers to many questions by reading His Word. Perhaps if we read His directions first, we can deal with troublesome situations more easily.
That canopy reminded me to read directions first, instead of trying to fix things on my own. God will guide us if we ask Him.
Yes, folks, “It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons”.
Blessings and giggles,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
Smashed Pumpkin Face
A strong breeze scattered leaves from yard to yard. Decorative flags danced in the air. Temperatures lowered to the upper 40’s last night. Autumn has arrived in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Will this cool weather stay or is this only a tease of what is to come?
One of our favorite family activities in October is carving pumpkins. In Virginia, those orange delights could be carved as early as September. Not in South Carolina. Warm weather stays longer in the south, so pumpkins need to be carved later in October so they will last.
When grandson Rowan asks to work on a pumpkin, that’s what we do, even if carving time should be put off for a few weeks. With the outside of the heavy orange pumpkin washed and dried, the time had come to create a jack o’lantern. This one will wear a scary face. Mimi and Rowan clean out the inside of the pumpkin. The guts are yucky and a decision is made for Mimi to finish that project. Once everything was clean, Bop drew the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and pointy teeth. Next, Bop went to work making small cuts in the pumpkin while paying special attention to the details.
When the jack o’lantern was completed, Bop carried the heavy creation outside to display in the flower bed. Yellow mums would highlight the fall decorations. Beautiful!
All was well for a few days. I put a battery operated tealight into the pumpkin each night. Rowan was happy with the jack o’lantern. Alan and I were pleased with how well the decoration looked in the front flower bed.
Then…it happened. Evening arrived and before nightfall, I went to put the tea light in the pumpkin. Lifting the stem of the lid, I was shocked at the yucky sight before me. Our nice creation had begun to mold and shrink. The once large, firm orange pumpkin was starting to deteriorate into a piece of mush. Looking at the front of the pumpkin, I noticed a smashed pumpkin face. Yikes!!!!
The beautiful carved decoration was shrinking and turning into a soft blob. Oh no!!!!
There was only one thing to do. That orange smashed pumpkin face had to be taken out of the flower bed and disposed of.
I wondered how Rowan would take the news. The next day, when he arrived, he asked “Where is my pumpkin?” I explained what happened. He didn’t get upset. He said, “That’s okay Mimi. We can get another one. This time we can draw a happy face on it for you.” Sweet boy.
When I asked God to help me find a lesson in this experience, He reminded me that there is a time for everything, even pumpkin carving. Even if we had to dispose of that pumpkin, the time shared with Rowan was priceless. Bop and I are looking forward to carving a pumpkin with Rowan and his baby sister Eden.
Do you decorate for autumn? What is your favorite fall activity?
FYI…the picture above shows our new pumpkin without a face. 🙂
Have a blessed day and put on a sweater if it’s chilly in your neck of the woods,
Mimi aka Melissa
Beach Buddies and Mermaids
“What is your name? How old are you? I’m six.”
“I’m six, too. I go to school. What grade are you in? My Mama says I can’t go too far in the water.”
“Did you know I am a mermaid?”
I stood at the edge of the ocean. Waves rolled water in and out bringing warmth and sand to my feet. The back of my sun hat slapped against my neck as strong breezes rolled across the ocean. A string kept the hat from escaping and flying across the beach and into the ocean.
Some of our family had decided to have an afternoon at a local beach. Time to let the children run and play in the sand and splash in the water. The adults stood laser focused on each child while watching for rushing water and any need for help. Sometimes sand or water gets in the eyes and the young ones need assistance in cleaning their face.
On this particular afternoon the children in our family played, giggled, hid their feet under the sand, looked for sea shells, and watched for dolphins. As the fun continued, I noticed a young girl moving closer and closer to our family.
This girl watched us and began smiling. After running back to the blanket where her parents were sitting, she rushed back to begin talking with us.
The questions and comments came pouring out of her mouth. She was six. Her Mama said it was okay to talk to us. Her Mama was on the blanket “up there” and she pointed to her family. She told the children in our family her name, age, and asked if they knew she was a mermaid.
Giggles, jumping waves, and sharing beach toys quickly became fun activities.
As I stood and watched the children, I noticed their ease of chatting, laughing and sharing toys. The conversation went from one topic to another. No fussing. No arguing. Just good summertime fun with new friends.
The warmth of sunshine and the ease of new friendships brought a smile to my face. I began thinking of how often we take for granted the simple things in life. Times are stressful and become more busy with each passing moment.
Yet, here on this Sunday afternoon, children who had never met and may never see each other again, began playing and chatting like they were best friends.
They shared toys, giggles, and stories. Some stories were true and some were “made up”.
I hope that I will always be open and ready to enjoy time with new and not so new friends. These children reminded me of the love God has for each of His children.
These young ones had a major impact on me that day.
I’m still smiling thinking about the joy of being with the group and watching them enjoy the wonders of life. The children became “beach buddies” for the day.
Have you played in the sand lately? Have you visited the beach recently? What makes you smile?
Blessings, sand, and giggles,
Melissa Henderson aka Mimi
Friend of a friend…
A deep breath in…and then, a quick jump backwards with a shout of “Wow! Oh my goodness! What are you doing there?” That was what happened on a recent morning at our home in the low country of South Carolina. My usual morning activities were completed and I wanted to sit in the rocking chair on the front porch. I looked forward to enjoying the beauty and quiet part of the day.
The sun had risen and the temperatures were forecasted to climb into the 90’s later in the afternoon. A nice time of relaxation before taking care of more things on my “to do” list would start the day in a positive way. Prayer time and listening to the birds singing. What a glorious morning!
As I walked to the white rocking chair, I reached my hand to adjust the location of the chair so I could see the beautiful hydrangea and plumbago. At the same time that I held out my hand, a bright green lizard appeared from under the red cushion that had been placed on the seat for decoration. Imagine my shock and surprise! I’m thankful that I didn’t sit on the lizard. I’m glad the lizard didn’t come crawling up on my neck. Yikes!!
I started laughing when I considered that this bright green lizard was a friend of a friend. Yes, this green creature must be a friend of the lizard in my book for children, “Licky the Lizard”. Remembering my first encounter with a lizard on the porch at another house, I continued laughing.
Yes, this was a friend of a friend.
“Hello, little lizard. You sit on the other chair while I sit on this one, okay?” The conversation with a lizard was nothing out of the ordinary for me. I talk to everybody, even lizards. His color changed to brown as he tried to secure his place on the rocker. Thankfully, he finally moved along to another spot on the porch.
When the coast was clear and the lizard had left my chair, I sat and relaxed. I thanked God for His creations and how He brings joy and laughter to my life every day. God reminded me of the importance of taking time to share conversation with Him. That little lizard could have distracted me from my morning time with the Lord. But, I persisted in getting that lizard to move off of my chair. Then, I was able to enjoy the sights and sounds of His creations.
Have you been distracted lately and made a decision to put off sharing time with God? Pause right now, even if you have a lizard in your chair, and share your praises, joys, concerns, and thoughts with God. He is listening.
Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson