The Rebirth of Peggy Judge

By Gwendolyn GC Carter

I would like to introduce you to Peggy Judge. She is a middle-aged woman with a seemingly full and happy life, as happy as it can be since the accident happened that took her beloved parents away from her over a year ago. She has a loving husband, three adult children that she and her husband Nyles love beyond measure and are extremely proud of.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Go To Publish
• Release date: Sep 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781647495893

Book preview

cov.jpg

The Rebirth of Peggy Judge

Copyright © 2021 by Gwendolyn GC Carter

Christian Fiction, Inspirational

ISBN-ePub: 978-1-64749-589-3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

Printed in the United States of America

GoToPublish LLC

1-888-337-1724

www.gotopublish.com

[e-mail]

DEDICATION

I am dedicating this book to you, my dear and precious reader, because I want you to know that you are very valuable to me. I thank God for you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I must acknowledge our heavenly Father, the Lord God Almighty, to Whom all glory, honor and praise is due. Next, I gladly and gratefully acknowledge my daughter and son-in-law, Montoya and James Jeter. Thank you both for all the encouragement, understanding, and I especially thank you for the new computer which has made it easier and even more enjoyable to work. And I thank you my nephew, Jamal Finney, for being there and ready to help when I call. And there are so many others that have prayed with and for me, that have encouraged me, and that have taken the time to read my books. I am so grateful for you all and please know that you are in my prayers. And last but certainly not least, I thank you, Lyn and Victor. The two of you have been in my corner throughout this project and I thank God for our divine connection. A three-fold cord is not easily broken.

***Special thanks to Lyn Gholston and Good Publishing.

THE REBIRTH OF PEGGY JUDGE

INTRODUCTION

Hello my dear readers. I’m so happy that you have decided to read this, my third book. As I have worked on this project, God has planted so many hidden messages, whether through dreams or in the meanings of names certain characters are given. I ask that our Lord will open your eyes and your heart, my dear and precious reader, to the hidden messages that are waiting in this book especially for you, and that this book will minister to you in the ways you need it to. And now…

I would like to introduce you to Peggy Judge. She is a middle-aged woman with a seemingly full and happy life, as happy as it can be since the accident happened that took her beloved parents away from her over a year ago. She has a loving husband, three adult children that she and her husband Nyles love beyond measure and are extremely proud of. Peggy is one of those loving, nurturing, non-judgemental and trustworthy people that always tries to do what is right. Anyone who really knows her will tell you that she is truly one of a kind, especially her family and her best friend, Arlene Arley Davis. Her family and friends will also tell you that Peggy Judge always knows just what to do in any situation. And usually, that’s true, for she is a very wise and practical person. But when she begins to dream dreams that shake her to the core, she begins to question her sanity and she begins to find that maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t have the full and happy life she thinks she has. And maybe, just maybe, there is more. So much more.

A GLIMPSE OF PEGGY’S WORLD…

At Fifty-five- years of age Peggy Judge is still quite pretty. Her skin is smooth and Is the color of rich dark chocolate. Her salt and pepper hair is almost always styled in a bun as she hates wearing it down and having to bother with doing it every morning. She is 5 feet, three inches tall and she shows just the tiniest hint of middle age spread but is still be considered to be slim. She is strong and vibrant, confident, loving, encouraging and she is a really hard worker. She is a lady that, like so many of us, wears many hats from day to day, exchanging one hat for another with ease as the need arises and never regretting wearing any of them that she’s been given to wear. If you asked her, she would tell you that it’s an honor to wear the hats of wife, mother, cook, housekeeper, nurse to her family (more so when the kids were home), employee, office manager and friend. But one of the hats she had proudly worn for over fifty years has been taken away suddenly and without warning. She had once worn the hat of a daughter but since the automobile accident that had claimed the lives of her parents, she’s felt more like an orphan. Oh, how she has missed her mommy and poppy. She had been an only child, so she never had to share her parents’ love, time and attention. She always knew that she was very much loved and wanted even when they had to discipline her for some transgression she had committed, she knew they loved her. She knew because they always told her that they did and they showed it in every way they could, even when they corrected her, they said it was because they loved her. And Mommy always brought up that scripture about training up a child in the way they should go. Poppy always said, the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He expects no less from us as parents. Yes, she knew they loved her, but when she was being disciplined, she sure didn’t feel like they loved her. However, once she became a wife and her own children started to come into the world, she understood more and more what her parents had meant. She also understood how her children felt, though she couldn’t let that deter her from doing what was right. And she and her husband, Nyles, agreed on that point from the beginning of their parenthood. They loved their three children, more than words could ever say. But they were determined to not have them grow up to be spoiled, selfish people who thought the world owed them something. They knew none of their children were perfect, no one is. But none of them had given their parents one minute of real trouble in school, college or now that they were adults with their own careers and homes. Yes, they most definitely had children to be proud of. If she had anything to complain about where they were concerned, it was the fact that none of them seemed to be in a hurry to get married and start a family. But she hoped it would happen before she was too old to enjoy grandchildren. But they were all still young and concentrating on their careers.

Twenty-two year old Jesse, the youngest, was only twenty-two years old and when you looked at him you saw a pleasing mixture of his mother and his father. He was a muscular five feet, ten inches and kept his weighrt around the two- hundred- pound mark. From the time he was six years old, his dream had been to play professional football. He’d played football in and out of school, every chance he got. It was in his senior year, the first game of the season, that the injury happened. His right leg had been so horribly injured, broken in four places, that the doctors had had to put in multiple sets of plates and pins. And even with all that, coupled with months of Physical therapy, he still had a slightly pronounced limp. As expected, he was depressed for a while, knowing that his lifelong dream had been taken away. But he had taken heed to some advice his dad had given him when he’d entered his sophomore year in high school. Nyles had told his son how proud he was of him, as he said to all their children, and that he really hoped the young man would be able to play pro football, but it was best to have a backup plan just in case he got injured somehow or for some reason didn’t make it to the pros. The child had never told either of his parents that he had taken his father’s advice to heart until after the accident and he had decided to go into hotel management. So, for over a year now it seemed that he had been enjoying his work very much. He said his greatest joy was meeting people from all over the world.

The middle child was their only girl, JeNai, who was thirty-two years old and still as small as she had been in high school. She was 5 feet, four inches tall, weighed 120 pounds, a younger, taller image of he rmother, and was full of vim and vigor. It was no surprise to them when she announced that she wanted to be a nurse. When she was a little girl, the first thing she would say she wanted for Christmas was a doctor’s bag. And as she got older, she was always trying to bandage a hurt bird or the family dog, Ralphie. Once when she was six, Peggy had seen her trying to bandage one of the family’s goldfish because she was convinced it wasn’t swimming right. So to her young mind, it was sick and needed help. The real problem was that she had overfed the fish. Peggy thought it was a wonder they hadn’t all swam funny and died. And a couple of times she wanted to doctor on a neighbor’s hurt dog. It was limping, so little JeNai had been convinced she had to help it. Since she was always petting the dog and playing with him, the neighbors had let her doctor him back to health and even gave her three dollars to pay the doctor bill. Yes, they figured she would be a doctor or a nurse, something in the medical field anyway. She’d been a nurse now for eight years and seemed to enjoy her work more and more. She often said she felt blessed to be a part of other people’s healing processes. She said she felt like she was one of God’s instruments. When Peggy would ask her about dating, she said she dated once in a while, but she had never met anyone she was serious about. But she was young, so hopefully the right man would come along. Peggy always hoped so anyway.

And then there was their oldest child, Nyles, Jr., who was the spitting image of his father. Affectionately called Ny-J. He was thirty-four years old, 5 feet, ten inches, with a slender build just like his dad, who was only one inch taller. From his pre- kindergarten days he had loved drawing, and had always excelled in any art classes he took and was now working his way up the corporate ladder with Dais Ad agency. When he’d called last week, he had been entrusted with a potential three and a half million- dollar contract. He loved his career and worked until all hours of the night, whether in his office or at his home. When asked about dating his answer was always the same. Right now, I’m just too busy to date a lot. And the ones I have dated just aren’t right for me. I mean, they seem to be good, decent, upstanding women, but just not right for me. When I do meet the right one, I’ll let you know. But I’ll still take it slow and see what happens. These were the three children of Nyles and Peggy Judge.

And these were the three children that Arlene Davis, (known affectionatelt as Arley to only the Judges) had come to know and love as her grandchildren and would do anything for them.

AND NOW THE STORY BEGINS…

THE REBIRTH OF PEGGY JUDGE

Peggy suddenly awoke, shaking from her dream and startling her sleeping husband into semi-wakefulness. Peg, what’s wrong, asked a groggy Nyles. You okay? After a few slow, deep breaths to calm herself, she finally answered him. I’m fine, Ny. I was just dreaming, that’s all, she said while rubbing his arm. What in the world were you dreaming about to make you wake up like that? Peggy sat up straight and thought for a minute, trying her best to recall the dream. All she could remember was that both of her parents, now deceased, were in it. But she wondered what could have been happening in it to frighten her so? She shook her head as if that would jog her memory, but with no results. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. It was 5:53 a.m. She could at least lie there for another hour or so even if she couldn’t go back to sleep. She looked over at her husband who had already made his re-entrance into Sleepytown. She fluffed her pillows and got comfortable, but it was obvious that sleep had already made it’s escape until it’s next appointed time. She began to think, What could I have been dreaming? What could have frightened me so? And Mommy and Poppy. Why would a dream about my beloved parents make me feel this way? She looked over at the clock. It was now 6:28. She decided she would just shut off the alarm and begin her day.

Later, a freshly showered and dressed Peggy was in the kitchen making breakfast when Nyles made his entrance. Hey Peg. You alright now? You gave me quite quite a stir. I know, Honey, and I’m sorry. I had a dream, but I can’t remember what it was. All I can remember is that Mommy and Poppy were in it. I just don’t know why or what was going on. She sadly shook her head with the last statement. Nyles went over and hugged his wife. Baby don’t let it worry you so much. You miss your parents so maybe that’s all there is to it. Don’t let a dream you can’t even remember ruin your day, okay? I won’t Baby. Oh, and by the way, I couldn’t have given you too much of a stir because you went back to sleep pretty quickly Mr. Man. At that they both laughed, but Nyles could see that his wife’s laughter didn’t reach her eyes and it had that off-key sound of forced, polite laughter.

Once at the office, Peggy opened up and prepared for the day ahead. She was glad she didn’t have any appointments scheduled for the day. As it was, she knew she would barely be able to keep her mind on the spreadsheets she had to work on. The early morning dream that she couldn’t remember still seemed to find a way to occupy her thoughts whether it was welcome there or not. But why? She wished she could either remember the dream or stop thinking about it, but it seemed she was powerless to do either. Just as she was going over the spreadsheet for the second time her friend and the owner of A&J Bookkeeping and Tax Service knocked on her office door. Well, hello there, Pegleg. Looks like you’re hard at it this morning. How are you? I’m good, Arley. How are you? Arley was Arlene Davis, who had opened the bookkeeping and tax service with her husband, Jonathan Davis in August of nineteen seventy-four. When Peggy applied for a job some years later, they had both agreed that she would be a great asset to the agency and indeed she had been. Not only had she proven to be a loyal and dependable employee, but she had proven to be a true and dedicated friend. In March of 2000, Jonathan had suddenly fallen ill with what turned out to be an advanced stage of stomach cancer. Had it not been for Peggy they would have had to close the business because even though the other employees were good at what they did, neither of the other two women were suitable to keep the business going. With Jonathan going back and forth to various doctor’s appointments (when he wasn’t in the hospital, that was), there were days that Arlene could barely remember her name. With all the medical terms, medications, schedules and appointments she was having to remember, added to caring for Jonathan when he was home, she just couldn’t think of much else. There were stretches of time that she didn’t think of going to the office or even calling. And when she did think of the business, she felt guilty for the times that she didn’t think about it. But with the love of her life sick and suffering the way he was, all she could think about was trying to do whatever she could to ease his pain and suffering. It had only been by the grace of God that she had remembered to keep their monthly bills paid. She was so thankful that if there was anything that needed her attention at the office, Peggy was faithful to let her know about it. Otherwise, it was in Peggy’s hands and Arlene thanked God for sending that dear woman to work with them. It was during that time, without pomp and circumstance she had taken on the position of office manager. In Fact, two days before he died in 2004, it was Jonathan that brought it to Arlene’s attention that without them asking her to, Peggy had graciously assumed that position and her salary should reflect such. By that time, he was very weak, but managed to find the strength to sit up and discuss the details with his wife so they would be in agreement, and he even wrote out the details of the contract himself. So, Peggy was officially named the office manager and was given a raise that brought her salary to $25,500.00. It was a good salary yes, but she earned every penny of it with working long hours, missing meals at home, and more importantly to her, missing valuable time with her family. Still, she loved the Davises and thoroughly enjoyed working with and for them. And as for the three Judge children, the Davises had fallen in love with them and treated them as they would have their own grandchildren, had they been blessed with any. And in true grandparent fashion they had made sure that none of the children’s birthdays, Easters and Christmases passed without generous gifts for the children. When this first started, it made Peggy and Nyles a little uneasy, but when they sat and talked to the older couple about it, they both understood that Jonathan and Arlene were simply honest and loving Christians that had fallen in love with their family. And their family loved the Davises right back. After Jonathan’s death Arlene had continued to be a blessing to them. As each child prepared to enter college, they were presented with a check for five thousand dollars and was reminded that Grandma Arley was still only a phone call away, no matter the time or the need.

Pegleg, I’ve known you for a long time now, and I can tell when something is wrong. Want to tell me what’s on your mind? Peggy hesitated to speak, thinking what was on her mind might sound silly to eved her best friend. Finally, she spoke. Arley, have you ever had a dream that you couldn’t remember and yet it still disturbed you? I know it sounds silly, but for some reason a dream I can’t even remember is bothering me. She looked at Arley with a sheepish grin on her face. My Mommy and Poppy were in the dream, but that’s all I can remember. That, and the fact that something about that dream disturbed me. No. No, that’s a lie. It didn’t just disturb me. Something about that dream flat out frightened me and it’s driving me crazy that I can’t remember it. Both women sat silent for a couple of minutes. Finally, Arley broke the silence. My friend, I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. And I believe there is a reason behind you having that dream. I just don’t think that reason is one that you really want to know right now. Arley….. I know, Pegleg. I know. You don’t want to hear it. But I think maybe you need to seek the counsel of the only One that knows all things. Maybe you can’t remember the dream because the Holy Spirit wants to talk to you about it. Okay, Arley. We can change the subject now, Peggy said with an uneasy chuckle. Arley smiled a sad smile and said, I love you Peggy Judge and I only want what’s best for all of you. You’re my family. And, well….I just love you. She fought back the tears that were trying to well up in her eyes, willing herself not to cry. There were so many things she wanted to say to her dear amd best friend at that moment, but she knew Peggy didn’t want to hear those things right at that time. Well anyway, if everything is okay, I want you to have lunch with me. No talk of mysterious dreams and their meanings, or anything like that. Just two old gals having fun over some scrumptious food they probably shouldn’t be eating, she said with a laugh. For the first time that day, Peggy laughed with real heartfelt laughter. As she did, Arley thought of the scripture in Proverbs 17:22, A joyful heart is good medicine. Thank You Jesus for the laughter, she said under her breath.

As Peggy and Arlene were sitting down to lunch at their favorite place, Sammy’s of Norwood, Nyles sat at his desk thinking about his wife. He knew that Peg, like anyone else of course, would dream, but those dreams were very few and far between. And in thirty-five years of marriage he had never seen her as she was that morning. She had tried to brush it off, but he knew something about it had really disturbed her. But he also knew his Peg well enough to know that if she didn’t want to talk about something, she wouldn’t. And trying to force her only led to a bad situation. She could be really stubborn at times, his Peg. He’d learned early in their marriage that there were times when you just left her alone and let her talk to you in her own time and in her own way. But knowing that didn’t ease his curiosity one bit. He wondered if she knew what she had dreamed and didn’t want to tell him yet, or if she really didn’t remember. It was no surprise that she had dreamed of her parents. Since the automobile accident that had claimed both their lives, his Peg had endured many restless and tearful nights, no matter how much he tried to comfort her. She had been an only child and they had been a very close family. They had spoiled their little Peggy JoAnn Smith, but not overly so. She was disciplined when she needed it and she didn’t get everything she wanted. But one thing that was obvious was that she was never short of love, affection and encouragement. They loved her and had always wanted the best for their precious baby girl and that love grew to envelope their baby girl’s husband and children as well. Yes, John Tim and Christene Smith had been two of the most loving and kindest people Nyles had ever met and he was truly thankful to have been allowed to become a member of their family. He thought again that it was not surprising that his Peg had dreamed of her parents. But he couldn’t help wondering just what about the dream could have frightened her so.

Mm- mm, I just love the broccoli salad here, Arley said with her eyes closed and chewing with exaggeration, as if to savor every bite as only she could do. Peggy couldn’t help but laugh at her friend. Yes, it is good. But I don’t think I love it as much as you do, Peggy said as she laughed. Arley, you really do know how to brighten a person’s day. Thank you for that. I didn’t realize just how much I needed to laugh. I mean, my Nyles is really, really good to me and does the best he can, and I will always love and appreciate him all the more for that. But you have your own way of comforting others. It’s as if you instinctively know what people need. There was a moment’s silence between them, then Arley said softly and intensely, Thank you, Peggy, but it’s not me. I don’t know anything. I just follow how and where I’m led. Peggy thought she knew where this conversation was going and decided she’d rather it didn’t. Yes. Well, I still thank you for the laughter today. I’ve never in my life seen someone make broccoli salad look like such a joy to eat. She then imitated the way Arley had chewed the food and they both laughed so hard they were in tears, and they enjoyed the rest of their lunch time together. Arley had intended to have a serious talk with Peggy, but the Holy Spirit had told her to wait. And she was glad she had listened and obeyed. She’d had no way of knowing that something had been on Peggy’s mind that morning, but He did. He knew that what she had to say would have been a little overwhelming to Peggy. Arley knew that He would tell her the time, the place and the words to say to Peggy, who had grown to be more than an employee and friend to her. She was more like the daughter Arley had never birthed but had still been blessed to have.

Finally, it was five o’clock, and Cheyanne and Darlia were telling Peggy to have a goodnight. Peggy had thought she would stay for a while and catch up on some work she had fallen behind on while she was out with Arley. In actuality, she wasn’t really behind. She just wasn’t ready to go home. It was Thursday, which was almost always a long day for Nyles. He was co-owner of Judge and Weide, Electrical Services. On Thursdays, Mel Wiede and Nyles, along with their crew tried to wrap up as much as they could with the possibility of starting the weekends with their families no later than six p.m. on Friday. However, Peggy didn’t know that on this particular Thursday, Nyles had decided to surprise his wife and take her out for dinner. He knew she really liked that upscale restaurant on Baylor Street, Sammy’s of Norwood.

At 5:15, Peggy gave up trying to concentrate on anything else, and decided she would go home. She wished her hubby could be there with her so they could have dinner together and cuddle up and watch an old movie together. She decided she would make the best of her evening until he was home. She’d have a long bubble bath, eat dinner alone and find a movie to watch as she waited for her Nyles. As much as she wanted him with her, she reasoned that she couldn’t complain. Nyles Monroe Judge, Sr. had always been a hardworking man that loved, protected and provided for his family very well. Extremely well. And no matter how busy he was, he had always managed to be there for them when needed and to spend quality time with them. As she thought about it, she said to herself, To tell the truth that man has spoiled the kids and me rotten. And I am not complaining about it. Not one little bit. There’s nobody like my Nyles! She reached for her briefcase, then decided there was nothing she really needed to work on before morning. She grabbed her purse, saw that everything in the office was in order, set the alarm, locked the door and headed home for a long, leisurely evening. As she began the twenty-seven- minute drive home, she thought about picking up something for dinner. Maybe some ribs. She knew how much her Nyles loved his ribs, potato salad and collard greens, especially from Aunt Sal’s Rib Shack if it wasn’t from her own kitchen. But then she thought that by the time Nyles got home and showered, it would be too late to eat such heavy food, so she decided to just make something light at home.

When she got home and saw Nyles’ truck in the driveway she was a afraid something was wrong, hoping he hadn’t been hurt in any way. Then she thought that maybe their projects were ahead of schedule so they had ended the day early. Nyles had just stepped out of the shower when he heard her walk into the house. Is that my sweet Peg I hear coming in? Once she had heard his voice and knew that all was well, Peggy couldn’t for the life of her explain why his being home early gave her such overwhelming joy. She had known that she didn’t really want to be alone and she was always glad to see her man. But for some reason she was exceptionally glad to have him home to be with her on this particular evening.

Well, hello my handsome Hubby. How have you managed to be home so early on a Thursday? Well, I’ll tell you. I think it’s about time to take my favorite girl out on the town. So put on your high heel sneakers, because we’re going out tonight! They laughed and hugged each other, remembering the old song with that title. I don’t think I’m up for high heel sneakers tonight, but going out with my handsome man is a mighty fine idea she said flirtatiously. They laughed together again and as they did Nyles thought, I sure am glad my Peg’s got laughter in her eyes this time and not just on her lips. As she freshened up she told Nyles how she had almost decided to bring home barbecued ribs, but thought by the time he got home it would be too late to eat something so heavy. Honey that would have been really nice, but I’m glad you didn’t because it would have ruined my surprise. Surprise? Yes. Surprise. And don’t you think you’ll be finding out what it is before I’m ready for you to know, my sweet, nosey little wife. She chuckled and then said I’ve already gotten a wonderful surprise this evening. You’re home early, just when I need you to be. So Baby, whatever the surprise is, you know I’ll love it. And he knew she meant that too. His Peg had never been one to do a lot of complaining and she wasn’t one of those whiny women asking for everything and wanting to have her way all the time. Yes, his Peg was truly one of a kind and he was so thankful to have her by his side for thirty-five precious and wonderful years. No matter how hard and thin times got to be, his Peg was right by his side just as much as she was in the good times. She had given him three wonderful children, two sons and a daughter and had been and still was the best mother any man could want his wife to be. Yes, his Peg was quite a woman and he wanted to do everything in his power to let her know just how much he needed, loved and appreciated her until his dying day.

When Nyles turned into the parking lot of Sammy’s of Norwood, Peggy burst into a fit of laughter. Nyles smiled and looked at her in puzzlement, but she couldn’t stop laughing to tell him what was so funny. As soon as they had turned onto the drive leading up to the door of the restaurant, she had remembered the way their dear friend Arley had chewed so animatedly with each bite of the broccoli salad she’d had for lunch. For some reason the memory of it had struck Peggy just as funny as actually seeing Arley in the act of it. When she could finally do so, Peggy tried her best to tell Nyles what had been so funny, but all he could do was look at her and smile politely. Finally, she patted his arm and said, Baby, I guess that’s one of those things you had to see for yourself as they were getting out of the car.

As Peggy and Nyles were being seated at their table, Arley sat in one of her favorite places in her home, the window seat in her breakfast nook with her bible, pad and pencil in her lap thinking about her dear friend Peggy. She had no way to know that for the second time that day Peggy was going to Sammy’s of Norwood and had tried to tell Nyles how funny Arley had been while eating her broccoli salad during lunch. What she did know was that she wanted and needed desperately to talk to her dear friend. What she had to say wouldn’t be easy and she knew she would be asking a lot of the one true friend that had already done so much for her, her beloved Jonathan and the business. But she had no one else. She and Jonathan had wanted children but could never have them. In the early years of marriage they had spent hours upon hours planning for the children they would never have. Their home had been built to accommodate a large family, five bedrooms with three and a half bathrooms. They had hoped to have at least four children, sex didn’t matter, as long as they were healthy. That’s what they both said anyway, but she strongly suspected that her Jonathan wanted at least one son. (Didn’t all men?)

As they began to grow older and were still childless, they had talked about adoption, but by then they thought that at fifty-eight and sixty-two they had probably waited too long. They were too old and it was just too late for that. They knew that raising a child would take a lot of energy, especially a smaller one. And if they adopted an older child, he or she would surely be involved in afterschool activities. Considering their ages and keeping the business going, they decided it would be unfair to adopt any child. Two months before Jonathan became seriously ill, he had mentioned adoption again and wondered if they had made the right decision, feeling sad at the possibility of one day leaving his precious Arlene alone in the world. In that conversation they had actually re-considered and decided that maybe they could be good parents to an older child. If they could get a child around the age of say twelve or thirteen, they thought it just might work, with the help of the Lord. But by the time they had made the decision to go through with an adoption, it was too late. Before they could keep their appointment to start the process, Jonathan fell ill to the stomach cancer that would take him away from her. So, that was that. There would be no Jonathan and no child of her own. So, many times over the years she had thanked God for Peggy Judge and her family, who in Arlene’s heart had become her own family. And now she found herself needing to have a very special conversation with Peggy, who was not just an employee and friend, but who, though not much younger than herself, was more like the daughter she’d never had. Lord, tell me the time to talk to Peggy and just the right words to say. I can’t do this without you. This is probably going to be a surprise to her Lord, but she is the only one that I can turn to, on earth that is.

Peggy was enjoying her night out with Nyles, especially with being at her favorite restaurant for the second time in one day. But as much as she was enjoying herself, her dear friend Arley was on her mind and she didn’t know why. She wondered if maybe she should interrupt her evening with her husband just long enough to call her but decided that she would wait until they got home to check on her friend. Still, she couldn’t get Arley off her mind and was glad to get home to make the call.

Well, hello Pegleg. How are you my dear? I’m well, Arley. But the better question is, how are you? While Nyles and I were at Sammy’s, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to call you. Are you okay? Really okay? Arley sat with her eyes closed, holding the phone. Lord, what do I say? Is this the time? And if it is, why like this? Why over the phone? She then heard a soft, faint whisper say not yet just as she became aware that Peggy was frantically calling her name. She forced out a little giggle and said, So, did you have the broccol salad this time? They both burst into real laughter as they remembered their time together that day. They talked a little while longer then both decided it was time to say good night.

Feeling a tiny bit better now, Arley freshened up and got into her big, lonely king-sized bed to read until she got sleepy. The book she was reading was Lord, Change Me by Evelyn Christensen. She had found that little jewel in 2002 at a time when she wasn’t even shopping for books. All she had wanted was a birthday card and some butter pecan ice cream and some sweet black cherry ice cream. The butter pecan was dear Jonathan’s favorite and the sweet black cherry was her’s. On her way ro checkout she approached a book rack and a book title seemed to leap out at her. She stopped to read the back cover and decided that it just might turn out to be a good read. At that time, she hadn’t realized just how good of a read it would turn out to be nor how much it would help her grow closer to her Lord and Master. A sad smile came to her lips as she remembered what her Jonathan had said when she had shown him the book. Woman, if you buy any more books, I’m going to declare our house to be a public library! I do believe that together we have enough books to do just that. They both laughed as he hugged his precious Arlene and then said, I wouldn’t have you any other way though, Old Woman. She responded with, I guess I’ll keep you just the way you are too, Old Man, which brought out more laughter. That old memory made her smile, but it brought with it a deep sorrow because she missed her dear husband more than anyone could ever know or understand. If they’d had children, then maybe, just maybe it wouldn’t be quite as bad. But they didn’t have any, so she thought "Here I am all alone in this big, empty house. No love, no laughter, no children or grandchildren to cook Sunday suppers for and to babysit from time to time. Not even my Jonathan to share it with. Occasionally she would have thoughts of selling her home and moving into a much smaller place but then she would quickly dismiss that notion, feeling that she would be giving away the last part of her Jonathan that she had left. As empty and lonely as her house was, she just couldn’t bring herself the home they had built together. And she felt thteven thought he would always have her precious memories. It just wouldn’t be the same. In the house, there were some fond memories in every room. If he moved into another house it wouldn’t be that way. She decided that she just couldn’t stand to give up what she did have of her Jonathan.

Lord, all my adult life I have tried so hard to be the person You want me to be. I know that as the years went by and the children we wanted never came I resented Your decision for it to be that way. I finally got over that though. I repented and I know You forgave me. But then You even took my Jonathan away from me. Oh, I know that You always know what’s best. But Daddy, sometimes what You know to best best sure can hurt so much. And even though that’s true, I am glad that he is no longer suffering, he’s resting in peace. But Father, even knowing that doesn’t make me miss him any less. And I don’t know how it’s possible, but I even miss the precious children we never had. She sat quietly, trying to still her mind as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Finally, she said aloud, Daddy, forgive me for yielding to self-pity. Yes, I miss my man so much. It’s like he took the biggest part of my heart with him when he left. But Daddy, I’ll always have You. You will always love me and comfort and strengthen me, no matter what I may or may not be facing. And I must always remember to give thanks in all things. And I definitely thank You for bringing Peggy Judge and her family into our lives. We never had children biologically, but You blessed us with them and even if we’d had a daughter, I don’t think she could or would have treated us any better than our Peggy. For that, I am truly blessed and thankful. I know sometimes I mess up, but I do love You Lord and even though it does hurt sometimes , I still want You to have Your will in my life. You alone know what’s best. Just please give me the strength and the peace to stay in Your will. She looked down at her book again, and decided she wouldn’t start reading it for the seventh time right then. No, God willing, she would need to read that little jewel again at a later time. She fluffed her pillows and stretched out, hoping her mind would stop it’s roaming and let her sleep, at least for a little while. No thoughts. No dreams. Just sweet, peaceful sleep.

Peggy, is everything alright with Arlene? I know you were worried about her. She says she’s alright. Wait. Come to think of it, no she didn’t. That slick little rascal never answered my question. After silence for a minute or so, she joked about the broccoli salad, and we were laughing about that again. Even in our conversation she never answered me, and that’s not like her. Hmmm. Maybe she’ll come by the office tomorrow. If not, I’ll call her to see if she is okay. Okay, Honey Baby. Try to get yourself some sleep now like I’m getting ready to do. I love you my Peg. Good night, my Nyles. I love you too. Always have and always will. She turned off the lamp and laid down, but sleep was nowhere to be found. She still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with Arley. Then she thought it could well be that her dear friend was missing her husband, whom she had loved more than life itself. Yeah, that was probably what was going on. But even if it was, she still wanted to hear it from Arley so they could talk about it if she needed to do that. With that thought, she stretched and yawned and realized that sweet sleep was finally making its entrance into her world and for that she was thankful.

At 3:48 a.m. Peggy sat up straight with her heart pounding as if it were trying to beat its way out of the prison bars of her ribcage and she was sweating as though someone had thrown water over her. She thought she had awakened screaming, but she couldn’t have because Nyles was still sleeping beside her. She got up and headed to the bathroom to get a cold cloth to put on her head, but just as she reached the foot of the bed, she saw her mother standing in the doorway of their bedroom. Mommy? Mommy, what are you doing here? How are you here? Why are you here? Mommy, we bur…. Just then she saw her mother turn and walk toward the stairs so she hurriedly followed. She glanced at her still sleeping husband, glad that she hadn’t awakened him. She hurried down the hall, calling for her mother as loudly as she dared to, but with no results. Nowhere in the whole house was her mother to be found. She dropped to her knees, crying, Mommy, come back. Don’t leave me again, Mommy. Just then she felt someone shaking her. Peg. Peggy! Wake up Honey. You’re dreaming. Wake up Baby. She opened her eyes to a very concerned Nyles gently shaking her and calling her name. She sat up but was too confused to speak for a minute. Nyles was asking what was wrong, but she couldn’t tell him. He said