The Bathroom Stall

It was a good movie and rated PG! “Oz: The Great and Powerful” - clean, exciting, colorful, imaginative, had good acting, and was two hours and twenty-one minutes long! I chewed quite a bit of ice and “held it” until the movie was over (I didn’t want to miss any of the action) then raced to the Ladies Room. 

What a relief!

I turned the lock to exit the stall. It wouldn’t budge; I turned it the other way. It wouldn’t move even a fraction. Back and forth I went and got more panicky each passing second. Options went through my mind: Do I crawl out the little opening at the bottom? Do you think anyone would notice? Do I wait patiently until the bathroom is empty and then crawl through the opening? What if I get stuck? Mind you, the movie had just finished and everyone and their dog was in the bathroom. How about I just wait until the theater closes? Or maybe I should just YELL for help!?

How embarrassing.

After what seemed an eternity, I sheepishly tapped on the stall door and half-laughing whispered “Could someone help me please? I’m kind of stuck.” 

Fortunately a nice lady came to my rescue. “Let me get a key,” she stated. What? She has a key to the bathroom stall? She took a key, jammed it into the back side of the lock and after a few tries, pried it open.

I thanked her profusely and told her I was indebted to her for life! If you see the Oz movie, you will know the significance of my declaration.

About Being a Gammie

Friday, January  11, 2013 - Late last night I received a message from Audrey. “I have been ask to speak in church on Sunday on PARENTING. Do you have a journal entry about Gammie?”

The thing is, when life gets tougher, I tend to put off my journal (or blog writing) probably because I am trying to sort things out in my own brain and I have difficulty expressing my feelings in writing. Seventeen years ago when my mother was diagnosed with terminal ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) I had a year and a half of "sorting it out" and didn't record much about her endless courage and faith during that very trying time, or of my own feelings, knowing that I would be "without" her in a short time.

Then I remembered something I had written about her just before she passed away in 1998.

SONGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT

recollections of life and love

Attitude makes all the difference.

Practice makes perfect sense.

When you make fresh bread, always give at least one loaf away warm.

Always pray before performing, or before doing anything else, for that matter.

Love your husband and always hold his hand.

Keep your temple clothing clean, pressed, and ready to wear.

Each and every freckle is worth a million bucks.

Own a dog.

Don't be too quick to take the car; it's okay to walk or ride a bike.

Music is something that you cannot keep to yourself.

The conductor is always right... especially when he's your husband.

When you go out to eat, share a meal.

A "good-night" kiss is very important.

Run a tidy ship but not a sterile environment.

It's good to have a well-balanced meal ready at dinner time.

Turn and give your husband a kiss after the food is blessed.

A ready smile warms the home.

Everyone loves hot rolls.

Take the smallest piece and serve yourself last.

Wrestle with your boys.

Have a good water fight at least once a year.

Cold fresh-water swimming is best.

Don't cry over spilled milk.

Trust your children.

"Good morning, Merry Sunshine" makes a pleasant wake-up call.

There's something extra special about being a "Gammie."

Stop and smell the pine trees.

Bruises will eventually disappear.

Plant Seeds.

Share your testimony.

This morning, I sent my recollections to Audrey who responded, "I'm pretty sure you taught me all those things too. You must be a Gammie :)"

This touched me deeply. What a joy and a responsibility!