TERRE HAUTE —
Dateline: Aug. 4, 1971. Nixon was in the White House, and Watergate was only a hotel in D.C. James Taylor and the Doobie Brothers were blasting from state-of-the-art eight-track tape players. “Gilligan’s Island” and the “Partridge Family” were making way for the soon-to-be-formed “Brady Bunch.” Captain and Tennille were singing about Muskrat Love. I was 19 years old and very much in love. Sigh! Would someone please pass the Necco Wafers?
Gathered in my parents’ living room were assorted aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of my family. My grandmothers were sitting side by side on the couch. They had assembled for one purpose: to look over Doug Davis. To a cousin, they all knew he was “the one” for me, and they were inspecting their future family member. I was confident that Doug would receive the highest approval rating. How could they not love him? He was as cute as a bug’s ear and sweeter than a hot fudge sundae.
Doug nudged me. “Where’s the one that’s a preacher?”
“Oh, that’s my cousin, Tom. He’s not here; he lives in Georgia.”
He looked over his shoulder at the boy behind us. “I thought his name was Tom.”
“Different Tom.”
He pointed across the room. “The twins over there — are they related?”
“Sure, they’re related. They’re sisters.”
“No, silly. Are they related to you?”
“First cousins.”
With a look of horror, he said, “Do twins run in your family?”
I couldn’t resist. I said, “Well, sometimes they run, but most times they just walk.” (His approval rating took a giant leap when he laughed!)
Meanwhile, my grandmothers were comparing notes. “He’s a little bow-legged, isn’t he?” “Sure enough, but he’s got the prettiest curly hair.” “I agree. Sure wish I had hair like that.” “He looks awful young, doesn’t he?” “Verna Rose said today is his birthday.” “How old is he?” “I think she said he was 19.” “Nineteen? I have shoes older than that!”
Finally, the evening drew to a close and the relatives drove out of sight.
My father leaned over and said, “What did you think of our clan, Doug?”
Doug said the first thing that came to his mind. “They’re kind of loud, aren’t they?” (Oh dear. Approval rating plummeted.)
Dateline: Aug. 4, 2012. Doug passed that “family meeting” test. Today he turns — uh — well, you can do the math, can’t you? I think I will help him celebrate his birthday by letting him take me out to dinner.
I’ll graciously let him choose the restaurant, because that’s just the kind of wife I am. Lucky man, isn’t he?
In Matthew 19:3-6, Jesus said, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
Happy Birthday, honey. I’m so grateful God has joined your life with mine.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: What God has joined together, let man not separate
- Religion
-
-
Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
-
The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
-
Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
-
Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
-
THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
-
Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
-
THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
-
Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
-
Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 20, 2013
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
-
THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
-
Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
-
THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
-
African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- Religion briefs: March 30, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 23, 2013
-
Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
- More Religion Headlines
-
Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Jersey Shore Open for Business
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Today in History May 24
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
