“Here I stand,
Upon this stump,
Come and kiss me,
‘fore I jump!”

–author unknown (not sure who to credit)

Each year for the Christmas program at church we usually had to memorize a bible verse and recite it. We also had a selection of songs that we’d all sing together with Julie leading us on the piano. We’d dress the part but I never got to be Mary, I usually got stuck being one of the three wise men. I always had an issue with public speaking, my heart pounds in my ears so I can’t even hear myself speaking and I sweat, so I had to practice over and over saying my verses to learn them. Sometimes I’d recite them to my dad and he would always tell me when I got up there to recite the above little ditty instead of delivering my verse.

Since Rosalie lived right next door, I was very comfortable with her, so I would look at her when I had to recite something. Pretending it was only her that I was telling it to, and somehow that’s how I’d get through it. In 1999 I got married in Signpost church and I was a nervous wreck. I know the look on my face was awful because my face never lies. The church was full, way more than our programs would bring. Metal chairs lined up in the back all full as well, but the ONE time I turned my head to look into the congregation, I found her immediately, just like old times, right in my line of sight, and smiling. ♥