We're only 6 months apart. Do I look old enough to be her mother?!

Wednesday, 04.03.2002
Is this your daughter?  Shari and I made it down to our first midweek service tonight. It was a quaint little gathering of about a dozen folks (and their kids) who really love the Lord. Although the evening started out with a nasty bout of loose bowels (tmi, perhaps?), I decided to tough it out and figured that we would get a seat close to the door in case I had to make a quick exit to the restroom. 

Needless to say, the room was full and, because we got there late, we ended up with a seat in the very front row, farthest away from the door. Murphy's Law, of course. "Lord, if you want me to be here, you'll settle my stomach because it really feels volatile right now... I'm going to need your help if I'm going to sit through this whole service..."  

Happily, I got a divine dose of Pepto Bismol. My stomach settled for the most part. Although I still had a mild gurgling in the pit of my tummy, I didn't find myself having to excuse myself mid-service to find a toilet. I enjoyed the service and the message was very timely and applied directly to my life. I felt motivated to put these principles of faith into action. 

When the service ended, the Division Pastor greeted us -- being the first-timers that we were. He turned to me and asked innocently with a warm smile, "Is this your daughter?" 

I'm sure my countenance dropped to my knees. I heard Shari giggling from beside me. 

"Uh, no," I said, probably with a little more tone than I really intended. My mind was screaming, "OH MY GOODNESS! DO I LOOK OLD ENOUGH TO BE SHARI'S MOTHER!?!?" 

"We're friends," Shari answered for me. I was too stunned to say much. "You're not the first to say that." [Indeed, she was right. There was another incident about 5 years ago that someone mistakenly thought that Shari had come forth from my womb.] 

He looked a little embarrassed and tried to cover up. "Oh, co-workers?" 

"No, childhood friends. We grew up together," Shari explained. 

He looked thoroughly embarrassed, gave a quick apology, tried to make light of it and changed the subject quickly. By this time, I was freaking out, trying to keep my composure and having thoughts about seeking out a good plastic surgeon in the morning. Aside from that little incident, I enjoyed the evening and plan to go back to the midweek service again -- despite the fact that the pastor thinks I'm pushing 40.

.top.

::Byte Me::
Breakfast: None
Lunch: Hamura Saimin, slice of Lilikoi Chiffon Pie
Dinner: Hoji-cha and Korean Senbei

::Bits 'n' Bytes::
Moving: None
Feeling: Old
Hearing: Silence
Tasting: Hoji-Cha
Pondering: Oh my goodness, do I really look that old!?

::Gratitudes::
Today, I'm thankful for the opportunity to attend a midweek service in my community and the freedom to worship the Lord. 

::Show your Love::
Please be a dear and  indulge yourself in a few grains from the rice bowl before you leave. Your clicks help to rank me higher on the Rice Bow Journal directory and that makes me happy. :)