THE EGGS AND I




My life is filled with miracles, big and small.  I shouldn't be surprised by them at this point.  I mean, my mother died when I was four months old and I was taken in by the coolest, kindest adoptive parents anyone could ever ask for.  They taught me to pray, and because the best prayers are simple conversations with God and I talk ALL the time, I'm experienced.

While working in Los Angeles, a mega-city filled with fast-moving strangers, I found the one man in the world who would understand my need for kids, cats, and chocolate - and he fell in love with ME.

Despite a body that refused to give me children, I prayed that we'd be able to adopt a baby, and two months later (when we were told it would be two years before we would have one child) we were gifted with a family of three, ages 4, 8, and 10.  Our family is now enormous with spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and wonderful in-laws.

I still have my husband after more than a dozen MRSA infections and diabetes that's grown erratic after a lifetime of predictability.  (It's no wonder women see firemen as such heroes.  They were here last week in the middle of the night when Ron's blood sugar dropped to 25.)  I was so scared, and they were so calm and competent.

So, I've grown used to the big miracles, but the little ones continue to confound me.  The most recent began when the larder was low and Ron was feeling too poorly to allow me to leave him to go to the store.  So I ran across the street to borrow two eggs for breakfast.  Curt, my neighbor, working under the hood of his car, pointed a wrench toward his house and said, "Take whatever you need."

I could not find one egg.  His wife is a caterer on the side and had been working at a conference on quilting since early morning.  I concluded she must have taken every egg in the house with her.

So I walked a few houses up the street and tried another neighbor who said she'd just used her last egg in a brownie mix.  I thanked her and walked home, thinking that if I couldn't have the egg, a brownie mix was a noble end for it.

I made hot cereal - not Ron's favorite - then took the dog quickly around the block.  By the time I got home - I swear this is true - Ron was at the door in his walker with a big smile.  "You've done it again!" he said.

All the possibilities of what I could have 'done again' ran through my mind.  Melted the tea kettle onto the burner?  Forgot to turn off the phone?  Left the ice cream out? But he was smiling.  Hm.

"Follow me," he said, and led the way to the kitchen.  On the counter were four dozen eggs.  I stared in disbelief.  There were two one-dozen cartons, and one 24-pack.

"After you left, Curt remembered that Rosemary had taken all the eggs," he explained, "so he went to the store to get us a dozen.  Barbara used her last egg, went to get herself another dozen, and got one for us, too.   Then, Rosemary (the caterer) came home from the quilt thing with two dozen eggs she didn't use." He grinned at me.  "You prayed for eggs, didn't you?" 

This is all attributable to God's goodness and the kindness of neighbors, but on the chance that my prayer skills play any part, I'm turning my focus to the Middle East, world hunger, and racial injustice.  But I might need some help.  Who's with me?

Comments

  1. Oh, Muriel, your post brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips. Yours is truly a heartwarming story!

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    1. Thank you, Kate. Blessings abound in my life, and one of the dearest is my association with my Heartwarming Sisters. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  2. Muriel, you dear lady. I'm sure your prayers have great power and you use them for such good things. I love your post and like Kate, shed a few tears this morning. I hope those eggs have healing properties.

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    1. Hi, Roz. Ron's doing well and looking forward to this morning's eggs, so I should get back to my other work. Happy weekend!

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  3. Muriel, I'm stunned. By both the humor and beauty of your post. You should turn this story into a children's book or short story about the power of prayer and/or how kindness is rewarded. Absolutely made my morning! On a side note--that's a lot of eggs. I have a great recipe for egg casserole...

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    1. I made a souffle' (wasn't bad, but one of you good cooks should have done it) and baked custard and many, many omelettes. Ron was in pig heaven. Have to give the children's book some thought. Have a great day!

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    2. Muriel, really I think you should! It is just a perfect story(:

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  4. Muriel, what a lovely way to start Friday. I smiled and laughed through your entire blog.

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  5. Muriel, what a sweet and touching post. I had just sniffed my goodbyes to a McDreamy memorial video and then read this which brought back the tears. Such a touching moment delivered in my favorite way - with heartfelt humor. This will not be the last of your blessings.

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    1. Thank you, Mel! I feel your pain about McDreamy! Maybe that's why one of the movie channels has shown Lover Boy so often. Have you seen 'Made of Honor'? That'll give you a good dose of him. He's now free to make more romance movies.

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  6. Reading your post reminded me we serve such a wonderful God. I kinda thought your neighbor might have brought over one dozen eggs, but 4! Awesome.

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    1. That's what I thought! This neighborhood is a living, breathing blessing. Happy weekend.

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  7. What a start to a weekend. I loved this. Hope Ron's feeling good now--and well-fed.

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    1. He's doing very well. Back to his old self - deeply immersed in the Patrick O'Brian books. (A reviewer called him Jane Austen for guys.) Have a good weekend.

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  8. Oh, Muriel! Your post warmed my heart and made my day!

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  9. I love it when God answers prayer so clearly--no subtlety, just a smack upside the head and He shows us how He uses his servants to bless us. Great story--thank you for sharing it with us!

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    1. Nan - I so agree! Sometimes, when I'm confused about what to do, I wish He had four foot neon signs with an arrow pointing the way. Other times, though, He makes things so clear. Happy weekend.

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  10. Wow, I am so in awe of the power of prayer and of you.

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    1. Weird, because I am in awe of you! Piece of cake. Ask and it shall be given unto you. He said it Himself.

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  11. As I'm reading, I'm tearing up and laughing and making a note to somehow send you a fridge full of eggs lol-what a lovely story and what amazing neighbors/friends you have:) xo

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    1. Ha! Thanks for the thought, Jen. I think I've boasted before about the richness of my life. It continues. Happy weekend, Miss Vacation Weight Success Story!

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  12. Love it! 4 dozen eggs. Now that's a story. Your community sounds wonderful. You have an amazing life, Muriel, with so many blessings.

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    1. I truly do, and it's wonderful to be able to share it with others who really get how great it is. Thank you. And happy weekend!

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  13. Thank you for sharing portions of your beautiful life with us. You have certainly experienced miracles both large and small. I agree with Carol Ross. Your life could be a book or short story. You've inspired me.

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    1. Thank you, Laurie. People in general are inspiring. You never know what's going on in someone else's life until you get them talking. And it's okay to do that because we can think of it as research! Happy weekend.

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  14. What a beautiful story, Muriel! I love how you focus on the blessings in your life. This is why they keep coming :)

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    1. Thanks, Amy. My mom was a serious positive thinker and that was poured in my ear over and over. Even at 70, I still hear her in my head. Happy weekend!

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  15. Muriel, I would say that your life is better and more thrilling, more awe-inspiring than any novel. God is truly blessing you every day. What a nightmare you have been through. I will keep you in MY prayers. My mother always used to say, "I don't just believe in miracles, I expect them--and I get them!" You take care of each other. What a lovely, generous post for you to share with us.

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    1. Thank you, Catherine. I'm aware every moment of how blessed Ron and I are to have each other. And thank you for the prayers; I'll return the favor. Prayers smooth my path every day.

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  16. Muriel, I would say that your life is better and more thrilling, more awe-inspiring than any novel. God is truly blessing you every day. What a nightmare you have been through. I will keep you in MY prayers. My mother always used to say, "I don't just believe in miracles, I expect them--and I get them!" You take care of each other. What a lovely, generous post for you to share with us.

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  17. Muriel, what a lovely story. And thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. Your family is so lucky to have you--and your gift for prayer!

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