Lessons by the Lake: A Story of Forgiveness, Love, and Compassion

By Debora J. McGill

When Oliver, a prominent resident of the small tourist town of Lake Side collapses from a heart attack and is taken to Mercy Hospital, the regular patrons of Jays Barber Shop react to the news by flipping coins to see who among them will visit their long-time friend. Events unfold quickly, initially taking an equally tragic turn when Rico and Dillon get into an automobile accident on their way to visit Oliver. After all three men are admitted to the very busy hospital, they discover they are patients assigned to the same room. One coincidence after another occurs; or is it coincidence? Is God in control of lifes events, or allowing them? Who is the woman whose kindness toward Dillon and his neighbors turns his obsession with her into good news for himself and his wife Gretta? How do the attitudes of the barber shop patrons change? Lessons By the Lake is a story about divine love, forgiveness and compassion. A few small acts of kindness, culminate with many lives having been transformed for the better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Dec 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462400256

Debora J. McGill

Debora J. McGill has been writing poetry and short stories since high school. She is the author of one previous novel, Faith Journeys with Hope and Love. A single mom of two adult daughters, she is a lifelong resident of Oregon and currently lives in the Willamette Valley city of Keizer.

Book preview

Lessons

by the Lake

A Story of Forgiveness, Love, and Compassion

DEBORA J. MCGILL

inspiringvoicesblack.ai

Copyright © 2012 Debora J. McGill

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This book is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0025-6 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0026-3 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011940938

Printed in the United States of America

Inspiring Voices rev. date: 2/17/2012

Contents

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

In appreciation for my family, friends, and neighbors, EMT’s, hospitals, physicians and nurses. Special thanks to local prayer centers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to the Cities of Salem-Keizer Oregon, individuals, clinics, organizations, and churches offering help and compassion to those in distress.

INTRODUCTION

AS A CHILD, I would sometimes accompany my dad to the barbershop in our small hometown. I found it entertaining watching the barbers shine customers’ shoes, meticulously shave men’s faces, and then cut and style their hair. Though I certainly don’t recall any of the conversations that took place during my visits so long ago, I do remember the talk was lively among the acquaintances and friends who frequented the shop. Thus, a barbershop seemed to be an interesting place in which to set this fictional story.

Lessons by the Lake was a project begun in 2009. It has been written and updated prayerfully with the intent that it encourage thought and inspire within the reader a desire to consider more deeply who God is.

There is a passage in Mark 8:27–29 where Jesus Christ asks his disciples, Who do people say that I am? They gave various answers, until he asked, "Who do you say that I am? Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (KJV). I wonder if being open to letting God answer that question more deeply for us might be the ultimate purpose of each person’s life journey. Reading this conversation between the Lord and his close companions was an inspiration to me as I wrote Lessons by the Lake.

CHAPTER ONE

Windows of Seasons

BLUE SKIES ARE A WELCOME change in the Pacific Northwest after a winter canopied with rainclouds. Though most residents would probably agree that water is one of their most treasured natural resources, during a candid moment they would also probably say rainy days can become tiring. Prolonged autumn and winter weather patterns give the impression that spring and summer will never arrive.

That’s what Oliver O’Dooley had decided anyway. He was bored. Living alone for the past twelve years was not his plan. In fact, according to his previous long-range goal, right about now it would be he and his wife heading from their lakefront dream home to jog on the path around the lake. Hmm, that sure didn’t turn out, he thought to himself as he picked up his pace. He was feeling a bit disgusted with the way his forty-seven-year-old body was responding—or rather, not responding—to the rigors of his new exercise routine. His doctor had recently suggested he start some kind of physical conditioning to lose the extra pounds he’d put on.

Mr. O’Dooley, I’m concerned about how this weight you’ve added may affect your heart. That had gotten Oliver’s attention and was the motivator that put him back on the exercise path. Here he was taking his daily jog around the lake for the seventh or eighth week in a row.

At first, Oliver believed the woman walking by the lake to be looking for something. He noticed how she lifted her designer sunglasses each time she bent forward. She wore black exercise capris and a light color T-shirt. He guessed her age to be between forty and fifty-something by her attire and slim figure. An older woman would probably be wearing a hat and more conservative clothing and eyewear, he supposed. As he got closer, he realized she was quite possibly a bit younger. Her skin had few wrinkles, and he didn’t notice any gray in