Monday, August 12, 2013

Perfect Change


 

When we moved from a city of millions to a rural farming community, I expected change. But not this kind.

Our first week in a town of nine thousand people and three stoplights, we visited the farm and garden supply. At the checkout stand, my city-girl eyes grew two sizes when I saw the counter display. I was used to chewing gum, celebrity magazines, and breath mints. Now I stared at udder salve and chocolate-covered caramel patties in the shape of cow. . . well, you know.
 
When I let the cats out one morning and a grotesque creature greeted me by waving its claws in the air, I panicked. “There’s a huge insect on our back porch,” I cried to my husband. “Come quick before it attacks our kitties!” As Kevin rubbed sleep from his eyes, his chuckle grew loud, then louder. “That is a crawdad, Jeanette—I learned about them in fourth grade. It must’ve crawled up here from the creek bank after the rain last night. It’s more afraid of your cats than you are of it.”

But we got the shock of our lives two days after Christmas, when Kevin’s car spun out of control on the icy highway and landed in the ditch. A neighbor let him into her house and allowed him to call the towing service, then me. She wasn’t afraid Kev would rob her, and she didn’t make fun of him for setting the cruise control while driving on ice. “Every winter, three or four people land in the ditch on that curve—welcome to the club!”

Our insecure world changes by the minute. Although God promises protection, the changes are not always good. So, when we discovered kindness amidst the cow patties and crawdads, we realized we’d found the perfect change.
 
 
“Nutty with a dash of meat” best describes Jeanette Levellie’s speaking, writing and life. She has published hundreds of humor/inspirational columns, articles, greeting cards, and poems. A spunky pastor’s wife, Jeanette is the mother of two, grandmother of three, and waitress to four cats. Her debut humoros devotional book, Two Scoops of Grace withChuckles on Top, released in April, 2012, and is now an Amazon bestseller. Find her mirthful musings on www.jeanettelevellie.com

5 comments:

David said...

I have always said, well, for the last few decades anyway, that if you really want to find out what the U.S. is all about, get away from the cities. Your story is a shining example of our true nature when the "sealed for your protection" coating is peeled back.

Caroline said...

You never fail to disappoint, Jen! :) Loved your post. And yes, what a difference between city and country life. Both have their points, but excuse me if I lean more toward the country. lol cow patties and all!

Unknown said...

We've moved from Las Vegas to Briian Head, Utah, population 130. Lots of changes, mostly good. Everyone waves at one another, and people have time to talk.
KP

Annette Bergman said...

I was raised on Tybee Island, Ga in the 40's and 50s and it was like all the adults were your parents. Even the police would scare the daylights out of me by threating to call y parents. Everybody looked out for their neighbors and being a resort island in the winter when all of the visitors left it was like a family reunion.
I feel so blessed to be raised on an island that is only one mile long and two miles wide, it wasn't considered country but it did have an isolated feeling, especially in the winter.

Jeanette Levellie said...

David: I agree with you.

Caroline: I HOPE you mean, I never disappoint! LOL!

Kevin: That IS a big--or should I say SMALL culture shock!

Annette: How far is Tybee Island from St. Simons Island, GA?

Thanks everyone, for your comments!