Red Duct Tape
Thursday, October 6, 2005
(16:37pm) That Thursday was one of those perfect fall days, minus the beautiful colors of the trees (which seemed to have decided not to bloom with spectacular reds, oranges, and yellows, after all). And it was Mo’s and Ivy’s anniversary – their tenth. So they had weekend plans, which included a restaurant for that evening.
“Yes, well, we were discussing this morning whether or not we were going to exchange cards,” Ivy was saying, “and we pretty much decided not to. We’re so romantic, I know.”
Meanwhile, Ivy and Rosemary were discussing how one of the deacons (who shall remain nameless) used red duct tape to keep the lock open on the door to the YMCA building on the church property, as the lock would stick, instead of just fixing the door.
“Oh, please, I want to have a grown-up church,” Ivy laughed. “No more red duct tape.”
It was great working with Ivy. And Collette really liked Rosemary – she was one of the most down-to-earth, sensible, yet great sense of humor sort of person. They were two people in particular she was most happy to know she would spend eternity with in Heaven.
And that night Collette and OLeif talked of Salvation, the Cannon, the universe and other such fascinating things over dinner, including a nice pile of greens (fresh spinach leaves for Collette). And at the house, Dad would be dropping Frances off at Boy Scouts, Mom would be taking Linnea to swimming lessons, Carrie and Rose would be up to some gossip and beading and paper-writing, no doubt, perhaps over an old film, Joe would be at Scouts, and Dad would later read Dave Dawson to the kids and then pray with them and sing what he always sang, “Abide with Me.”
“Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”
It was a good life Collette had been given. There was nothing of which she could complain. God was so good and His grace became more real and amazing to her each day, and this was seen through the trials she was brought. He would never leave her or forsake her.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For Thou art with me.”
And thus the day was ended, ready to open to the eighth birthday of Linnea Snicketts, the lovely little one. Collette knew there would be a pile of bright balloons on her bed in the morning and the old chipped, but beautiful birthday plate would serve her breakfast, provided all the boxes of Total had been finished. And there would be cake and presents and laughter over dinner.