Help

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

Saturdays were pretty predictable when Clara and I were young (this was before Deidra was born, but things didn't change all that much after her arrival.) We watched Saturday morning cartoons while eating some sort of sugary breakfast. Mom was not big into healthy eating, and we never complained about the Krispy Kreme donuts fried in butter or bowls full of Lucky Charms.

Not being able to flip the TV to Cartoon Network or the Disney Channel at any time on any day made Saturday morning cartoon viewing very special. We loved Scooby-Doo, Josie and the Pussycats, The Flintstones, and Fat Albert. We also loved Land of the Lost which was a live-action show rather than a cartoon. Fat Albert was usually the last show we watched before getting in the car with Mom and heading out on our Saturday errands.

Clara and Kim ready to go shopping

First, we would go to the Gulf Station and Everrett, the owner, would pump the gas, clean the windshield, and check the oil before taking Mom's check into the store and returning with her change.

On the way to Blacksburg, we would discuss where we wanted to eat lunch, because Saturdays meant lunch in town. We loved Pizza Hut, Arthur Treacher's, Western Sizzlin', and especially Lindy's.

After lunch we would go to Gables Shopping Center. Sometimes Cactus Joe would be there with his train, and Mom would let us take ride with him and his giant mustache around the parking lot. She was probably happy when Cactus Joe was not there. I'm sure she didn't love standing on the sidewalk waiting for our ride on the silly little train to end, but she never said no and she never complained.

Leggett was our first shopping stop. We loved Leggett. Monthly Leggett bills could be a source of contention at home, but that didn't stop Mom from buying us and herself new clothes and shoes much more often than she probably should have. Janice Jones was a great help in the Children's clothing department. Mom really didn't have to do a thing but chat briefly with her, and then Janice would take over and soon we'd be leaving with bag in hand.

After Leggett we loved to browse through TG&Y. I don't think Mom cared much for that particular five and dime store, but again, she was very patient and let us look around as much as we wanted unless she had a hair appointment at Marguerite's. If she did have an appointment, and I think they were pretty much every week during the 'high-hair' period, Clara and I would go in and wait in the reception area while she had her hair done.

Mom (during the weekly visits to Marguerite's period), Timmy, and Clara Sue

Sometimes we went to High's for an ice cream cone before getting groceries. We loved sitting at the counter with the tall stools. I almost always got black cherry ice cream. It was very good. Butter brickle was also a good choice.

Mick or Mack was at the opposite end of the shopping center from High's Ice Cream. There was also an A&P, but we usually went to Mick or Mack unless we left Gables and went to Kroger or Radford Brothers. Our friend, Tracey, was with us one day. When she went home, she told her mother that, "Carolyn let Kim and Clara Sue put anything they wanted into the buggy." That was pretty much true.

Kim and Tracey

My trip down memory lane is taking too long but thank you for bearing with me.

There was also a Sydney's at Gables. It was a narrow store with what a child considered 'big fancy doors'. When Mom needed something for one of the monthly dances she and Dad attended at Castle Rock, when it was a private country club, we went to Sydney's. They had a room in the back of the store filled with choices appropriate for dressy occasions.

At last, we come to the actual point of this post. One of the women who worked there was helping Mom find something that suited her when Clara, or I, or both of us needed to use the restroom. She asked another lady to show us the restroom. This lady took us to the restroom, opened the door for us, and left. Everything was fine until we finished and tried to open the door. It was another big heavy door like the ones at the store entrance. We couldn't get it to budge.

Our plan was simple. We counted to three and then yelled 'Mommy' as loudly as we could. I don't remember if we had to yell again or if Mom made it to us after only one call for help. I'm guessing she was there before we got to three a second time.

As dependable as Mommy was to come when we called, God is even more dependable. There is no door He cannot open, and there is no distance He has to travel. Our all-powerful God is already with us.

We can't forget to include Deidra. What a cutie!!

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20