A while ago I was searching for an eyeglass case to protect sunglasses in a beach bag. Since Nate was always careful with his glasses, I looked in his top dresser drawer, which I haven’t completely emptied yet. Sure enough, there were five snap-shut cases.
One had reading glasses in it. Two had prescription sunglasses. One was empty, and the fifth surprised me. Inside was a small, shiny pair of scissors.
Throughout the years of fathering 7 children, Nate had had trouble hanging onto a small pair of scissors he kept in our bathroom medicine cabinet and blamed different kids for its repeated disappearance. Eventually he’d always head to Walgreens to buy another one. Today I inadvertently discovered how he’d finally solved his dilemma. He’d hidden a scissors in a glasses case, which made me laugh.
Why did he want tiny scissors anyway? In all the years we were married, though I often heard about his scissors disappearing, I never asked what he was cutting. But now I know.
Tucked in with the scissors was a tiny comb resembling a Barbie doll accessory that triggered a memory of something that happened years ago.
We were enjoying a wedding reception when a young girl had approached Nate, asking if she could take his picture. Would he mind? His quizzical look made her finish his thought. “…because you look just like Donald Trump!”
Nate reluctantly agreed, even when the young photographer asked him to point his finger and say, “You’re fired!” He did it, albeit without enthusiasm. The rest of us enjoyed the moment far more than he did.
On the way home he said, “I hope that picture doesn’t turn up on the internet.” But my surprise came when he added, “I get that all the time.”
“You get what all the time?”
“Get taken for Donald Trump.”
And that, I decided, was what the mini-comb and scissors were all about. When his brows got bushy and the likeness became strong, he’d trim and comb them neatly. He wasn’t interested in being taken for Donald Trump.
Folklore says everybody has a double. I don’t believe it, because God is creative enough not to have to “ditto” anyone. But the concept of doubles is intriguing. Celebrity look-alike contests abound, and the side-by-side photos grab our attention. Some people develop flourishing careers based on looking like someone they’re not.
In reality, each of us is exactly who God made us to be, and he wants us to be ourselves, with one exception. He gives permission, actually urges us, to be a look-alike of one other person: him. Although we don’t need a scissors or comb to develop the resemblance, we do need something much more difficult to acquire: a non-stop attitude of sacrificial love.
Too bad that’s not available at Walgreens.
“Imitate God… in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Praising and Praying with Mary
- Please pray for tomorrow morning’s tube procedure to relocate it. I pray the pain will be gone but am trying not to get my hopes up.
- Praise God for answered prayer that the nausea is once again mild.
Haha! I remember you telling me that at some point. He does look similar in that picture. Great post, Mom!
Dearest Margaret,
I have been following your blog for a while now. I wrote to you once before to tell you how much your book had encouraged me after the passing of my husband Scott. He died at the age of 50 on Jan 5, 2013 after a diagnosis and battle with pancreatic cancer. We were high school sweethearts, married 27 years and have 5 children together. I felt so connected to you through so many similar things you have shared about Nate and your lives and love affair you had. I felt like I had truly burried all of my hopes and dreams for my future when I had to lay him to rest.
Well I am here to say that as you well know God does not abandon His children and I have seen signs of that over and over again as He is seeing me through this season of my life.
I know you didn’t have much time with Nate after his diagnosis. Scott and I had 14 months. Eleven difficult but precious months while enduring the Whipple procedure, non stop chemo and radiation,etc. And then there were those three excruciating months to follow where I had to be by his side to help him die. I will never be the same after enduring that process.
My reason for telling you all this is that you have a sister in the Lord who is praying for you as you again are presented with this horrible disease in such a short time after going through it with your husband. Now your beloved sister is being asked to fight this battle and you have to be strong to stand by her side and be the encourager. I can’t even imagine the depth of your faith that is required to go this extra mile in believing that God has a plan in all this, as I believe He does even though it does not make any earthly sense.
My heart is breaking for you and for Mary as you all suffer through this together! Please know that there are others who care and pray for complete healing and comfort and endurance and joy in the midst of it all for you and your family. God bless you this day and always.
With the Love of our Father,
Gretchen Carraher
I echo your thoughts, Gretchen. My experience is very similar to yours, though my Ted was nearly 64 and we had been married almost 42 years. Margaret has been such an encourager and inspiration, and I also am praying for her, Mary, and their families. What a privilege to be part of God’s caring family!
Dear Margaret and Mary. My internet has been on and off for months but now I have a new modem and trying to get caught up with my email and caught up with your blog, I think of you often, Mary and pray for you too. My beloved Ray has been gone 1 year and 1 month- it’s been a hard year but my children have been helpful and friends too but most of all God has been faithful and so good. When sadness comes I try to praise Him for the wonderful memories, the great person Ray was and the extraordinary life, and blessed life we had together
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Love,Nancy D