Annette Petrick

A Woman’s Prayer

Backstory

I enjoy reading letters, poems, and prose written long ago. The prose of old is so lyrical, especially when related to romance. How I enjoyed reading the letters sent by my grandfather Anthony to the lovely Stella. They met at an afternoon dance, and he was immediately smitten. I could just see their love grow, as the letters moved from witty to wistful to fervent.

Today’s show looks into some very old words in a prayer spoken nearly a hundred years ago. Marvel at its simplicity and humility.

A Woman’s Prayer

Elsie sent in a prayer written by Lillian Mayfield Roberts, sometime between 1921 and 1938. After 80 years, it still seems a relevant appeal. Lillian prayed,

“Dear God, I am a woman – no weaker and no stronger than the rest. And I ask this prayer tonight, for help and guidance in the little things.

“If I could feel your hand upon my lips on days when I am sick, or merely tired of all the trivial worries, perhaps the stabbing words would not dart out, to wound my child, and turning, cut into my heart.

“I do not want to nag. I only want guidance to understand that each of us has her small troubles, and that mine are not harder in truth than other women bear.

“And when the little troubles vex me so, I am too prone to turn and cry them out In maudlin tears upon my husband’s breast. Keep me from this; he has enough to bear.

“And one more prayer that I would make tonight: If I could only see the difference between the really big things and the little things. . .

“I do not ask for better, or for more, I only ask for this: God keep my soul from growing petty. It will be enough. Help me in this, and I am satisfied.”

P.S. I love this simple morning prayer because it expresses gratitude and children easily remember the words, due to the rhyme.

For this new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends.
For everything Thy goodness sends,
We thank Thee, dearest Lord. Amen.

[Show #633]

Reunion

Backstory

I met Bill’s relatives through their Christmas cards with scribbled messages of an idyllic childhood farm life. They all lived hundreds of miles away and plans to get together never seemed to work out. Finally, I lobbied for a visit with them. It did not take much to convince him to take a summer road trip back to the farm.

Reunion

My guy had mentioned it casually for years – He’d like to revisit the farms where he spent the summers of his youth: catch up with his cousins and their parents; meet children and grandchildren, show me the ole swimming hole and where they ran the combine.

And here we were on Route I-81, heading for upstate New York. He had contacted family members up north who made it happen and we were on our way to a fish fry; their family version of a reunion.

As we drove northward, I tried to picture how each would appear to the others. What would have changed; what stayed the same for all this time. Some of them had not seen each other for 40 or 50 years. For others, the visiting gap spanned at least a decade.

As they showed photos and swapped stories, it was evident that these were people who respected and admired what each had become. I could see how their shared experiences early in life had influenced decisions made in later years. They sang, laughed, and shed a few tears with their memories.

When it was time to leave, amidst goodbye hugs and promises of visits to come, I was really thankful for the folks who had not just talked about reuniting but made it happen. They closed the gap of people related by blood and separated only by geography.

P.S. That reunion has remained a fond memory for many years now. The in-person get-together sparked Internet communications and phone calls that have kept us all in touch. Someday we may even get around to Zooming.

[Show #221]

Buy Your Time

Backstory

“Overwhelmed” is how parents with careers have described their days during the pandemic. A constant dual between family and work. Kids can get caught in the middle. This little guy had a solution.

Buy Your Time

A man came home from work late. He was tired and irritated and was actually hoping that his 5-year-old son was already in bed. Instead, there was the child excited to see his weary dad and full of questions.

“Daddy,” he asked, “how much do you make an hour?” Well, dad had no idea of where the conversation would lead. “If you must know, I make $50 an hour”. “Oh,” the little boy said, disappointed. “Could I borrow $25?”. Well, the father was just too tired to continue the conversation. But later, he went into the child’s bedroom to tuck his son in for the night.

“Here’s the money you wanted to borrow son. What’s it for?” “If I add it to what I saved up,” the little boy explained, “I’ll have $50. Now I can buy an hour of your time.” His dad looked dumbfounded. His son continued, “I’d like to have dinner with you Dad. Show you how good I throw a ball now and ride my bike really fast. I know you have to earn money for us, but I could give you the money if you could give me your time.” So easy for us to work so hard that time slips through our fingers. Be sure to share your valuable time with those who count.

P.S. How do you spend time with your kids? It doesn’t count if he is playing his video game over there and you are playing yours over here! Time that counts is time spent in the present when you’re listening and she is too. Not easy. Start out by lifting your eyes off the phone, looking each other in the face, and smiling. Does wonders.

Private Moments for Mothers

Backstory

The role of mother has always been pivotal. Even more so in times like a global pandemic and dangerous disruption. Mothers are called on to calm fears, provide balance, keep moving things in the right direction. And they do. This is for you.

Private Moments for Mom

This is a little private moment for the mothers in our audience. Did you ever think you’d be able to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Where did we learn how to do things like that?

What magical power was bestowed upon us for the years when our families needed us 24/7? Where did we get the patience to sit and rock for hours on end soothing a crying baby who refused to be comforted? Sometimes we know exactly what to do . . . and sometimes we don’t.

So this is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them. This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peace-loving and now pray they come home safely from a war.

The emotions of motherhood are universal and our thoughts today are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation, and mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single moms and married moms. Mothers with money, mothers without.

Hang in there. In the end, we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them and show them besides. And pray and never stop being a mom. No, never stop.

P.S. As Mother’s Day approaches and you consider a gift for your mom, put at the top of the list – time with her. Go shopping with her, take her to the park, cook her favorite dinner – together. Realize that YOU are the best gift she could get.

[Show #288]

New Wardrobes

Backstory

Americans are generous givers. We donate to good causes more than our European neighbors. Besides donating money to charitable causes, we are willing to share locally. Some sell their stuff for cents on the dollar. Others give stuff away. This story is my experience in that genre.

New Wardrobes

In an earlier time, I had a job that required good-looking business clothes, high heels, and spiffy accessories. Now living in the country, my dress is more likely to be jeans and a comfortable top.

I decided that my business clothing should have a second chance at making someone look good. I created five wardrobes. Each contained six dresses, suits, and tops. I added matching shoes, scarves, jewelry, purses, and other accessories to each.

I put an ad online, offering a wardrobe to any woman in need of business clothes who would come and get them.

One wardrobe went to a woman going back to work for the first time in 20 years. She had gotten the job but had no idea what she would wear as she, too, had lived in jeans for years.

Another was shared by two sisters. Both supporting families, their budgets did not cover the luxury of good clothes.

The third went to a mother who was embarrassed to accept and sent her 10-year-old in to take the things. There was no need for that, my dear, but your son was a delight.

The fourth went to a young woman who had trouble finding business clothes in this size.

The final wardrobe went to a grey-haired woman who no longer was employed but liked to dress up for church on Sunday. We even added some hats to that wardrobe.

It was such fun to meet these women and hear how they planned to wear their new outfits. Good job, ladies.

P.S. Influencer Shelley Shiley recently listed the five different love languages – affirmation, quality time, physical touch, gift giving & receiving, and acts of service. She noted that “all of these languages of love start with one thing; time.“ Even if we can’t give money, cars or wardrobes, we can still give time. What cause have you chosen to give your precious time?

[Show #612]

The People Who Count

Backstory

This story came from the once-in-a-lifetime experience of having a surprise birthday party with lots of friends there, from across a lifetime. It got me thinking about how many of them have had a special place in my heart for so long. Perhaps you will recognize yourself among them.

The People Who Count

I was just thinking, yet again, about the folks who planned and attended my surprise birthday party. There were more than 60 in the room. I wanted to introduce each person to everyone else and explain why they were so special.

There was someone I wrote poetry with and we were published. . . Young ‘uns I’ve watched grow up. . . The couple who carried propane to our farmhouse in the dead of winter.

There was the person who corrects my errors. . . And the ones I turn to for digital advice. . . The couple who provided us lodging in Florida. . . And my role model for how to run a country home in Virginia. There were people with whom I had visited foreign lands and RV camping buddies.

There were new friends and old friends; fellow Canasta players and poker players. A family that welcomed me even though I turned their brother’s life upside down, after he spent 60 years as a bachelor. I saw the person who was with me on the worse day of my life. . . And dozens who have been with me on joyful days or were the cause of joyful days.

It makes me think about all the people with whom YOU have shared joy, or grief or those who were there when you were lost. When you think of those you love or admire, how they inspired you or moved you or were simply there for you – make sure they know. It will delight them, to hear what they have meant to you. Be sure they know.

P.S. My friend Elizabeth Cottrell https://www.heartspoken.com/ is an inspiring advocate of handwritten notes that comfort, encourage and send love. Imagine the pleasure of someone special to you receiving a note expressing appreciation of an act, service or advice that meant a lot to you. Especially one provided years ago that helped you grow or conquer. Send that note today. See Elizabeth’s Facebook group – “The Art of the Heartspoken Word.”

[Show #605]