Grace Note

There's this guy. This guy who came into my life about a year and a half ago. I'm prolly older than his mother and we've never had a conversation longer than about five minutes, never gone out for a drink, never hugged, never a lot of things. Our contact is sporadic. We act as though we know each other better than we do. Because despite all of the above, there's some very special connection that we don't talk about, not to each other, and not to anyone else. But I've introduced him to my husband as "my boyfriend," and they're both okay with that.

So yesterday, on my birthday for crying out loud, this guy posts this picture on Facebook. And it stopped me in my tracks.

Because it puts in words just who I've always been. Who I've sometimes been criticized for being.

For years and years and years, what I wanted was to be a person behind the scenes, connected with helping another be successful. I typed dissertations for Ph.D. students. I volunteered as a telephone responder at a crisis intervention center. I supported and encouraged new mothers through La Leche League. I was an assisting minister at church. I've worked as secretary to several executives.

I never wanted to be president of any organization; I was always the secretary. I never wanted to be a pastor: to preside, to marry, to bury; I wanted to be the chaplain at the bedside listening and supporting. I wanted to help others achieve their goals, become stars, because their win was my win.

Mr. Rogers put that all into words. And my boyfriend put them up on Facebook. On my birthday.

Oh, tell me you don't believe in grace.

Comments

stitchinpenny said…
I do believe in grace and it seems that you share the love and grace you have with others as it should be. Most of us are a little (in my case a lot) too selfish. Please continue to make the world a better place for the rest of us.
Karla said…
And that my friend is why I admirre you. You have achieved greatness in the most amazing way. A true role model. We were born to love and serve, and you my friend have mastered that without losing yourself. In doing so you have grown yourself in the most marvelous way. I my eyes and the eye of many, you are greatness.
Quiltdivajulie said…
Grace is so awesome - I loved Mr. Rogers gentle yet profound wisdom, too. Like Karla said -- you, too, are awesome for all the right reasons. Hugs, my friend!
Janet O. said…
This gave me chills, Nancy.
Working behind the scenes to serve others and help them reach their potential is what "the abundant life" is all about. You do it so well!
Barbara Anne said…
Perfect timing is a little personal miracle!

I'm there with you as my aspirations to help led me to become a nurse, not an administrator or any such, always a bedside nurse in ER, in surgery, and now, with making donation quilts. I'm happy in the background and in the cheering section.

Happy Birthday to you!
LoieJ said…
Lovely! Dear blog friend, quilter, and one who follows the path that our Lord led you to go on. Happy Birthday! From Brrrr Northern MN.
Millie said…
Wonderful.

And congratulations. Your team played better than mine did.
Anonymous said…
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suz said…
lovely - sounds like you!
What a guy. Happy birthday.
xx, Carol