Mom knew how to take the initiative, even as a little girl. Born in 1912, she was only four years old when on a stifling summer day her mother entertained several women from their church. Little Evelyn loved having company and had helped her mother prepare the parlor for their guests. When the women arrived, Evelyn was cordial, greeting each one with her best smile.

Knowing she enjoyed being mama’s helper, her mother asked if she’d like to bring a glass of cool water to each lady as they chatted together. Evelyn was delighted and hurried off to comply. Running back and forth to the parlor, she carefully delivered one glass of water to each appreciative woman.

After the guests had gone, Evelyn’s mother expressed gratitude for her willingness to bring so many glasses of water to the company.

“It was easy,” Evelyn said. “I just got them out of the toilet.”

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Things are not always as they seem. Those cool glasses of water wouldn’t have been quite so refreshing, had the truth been known. Just like the ladies in the parlor, all of us size up situations based only on what we see rather than waiting for all the facts.

As an example, quite a few people have assessed my living situation in Michigan to be an isolated, lonely arrangement unsuitable for a new widow. But the fact is, I’m living here as a result of God’s decision rather than my own.

My first experience with summers in Michigan came long before I met Nate. My parents, along with an aunt and uncle, purchased a small cottage only six blocks from the one I now live in, back in 1946. Mary, Tom and I, along with four cousins and countless pals, made memories in that little three bedroom house until we were bursting at the seams with seventeen children between us, several in-law children and the beginnings of grandchildren. It wasn’t difficult to decide we needed a second cottage!

Nate and I bought our current home ten years ago, continuing to enjoy the same childhood beaches and neighborhoods but adding more space (and especially beds) to the mix. Basing in Chicago, we wished we could spend more time in Michigan and had talked about retiring here one day, away from Chicago traffic, high taxes and the hurried lifestyle we’d always known.

Putting our Chicago area home on the market in 2004, when the real estate bubble was still rising, we hoped to sell quickly. But not many buyers were interested in a 100 year old farm house when new homes were being built on every street. A year passed, then two and three, without a sale. Although we did have several contracts, the economy was tanking, and potential buyers couldn’t secure financing.

Meanwhile Nate’s back began to flare up, and he found himself working less and less. In 2008, we decided to put the Michigan cottage on the market, too, eager to sell one house or the other, unsure of what his health future would be. The outcome would be in God’s hands, and we were willing to live in whichever house didn’t sell. (See Part II, tomorrow.)

”My steps have held to your paths [O Lord]. My feet have not slipped.” (Psalm 17:5)