The one I said I was writing...
Well...this is where it all began.
I'm in the doctor's office almost 4 years ago.
I'm there because I think I have a stomach ulcer.
I keep losing weight and I hurt all the time.
I look around the room and I am at least 3 decades younger than anyone else present.
I think to myself,
I am too young to be dealing with this stuff...
Directly across from me sits the most adorable couple I've ever seen.
She was giggling
And he was to blame.
They were not using their inside voices...
and they didn't care.
They were so absorbed in each other...
in their own world..
nothing and no one else mattered.
She had on a white sequined beret, red dress and big smile.
He had on denim overalls, plaid shirt and ball cap.
I could not take my eyes off of them.
If they weren't married,
they were the best of friends...
I soon found out they were both.
They were called back before me and finished before I was called back.
They left the office and exited
into the hall...
what came over me,
I don't know,
but I went after them.
Excuse me,
can I ask you a question?
They said yes.
I need to know why you're so happy.
I need to know what you know.
I just divorced and I'm scared.
What if I'm in a doctor's office 40 years from now
and no one is there with me.
I want to get it right this time.
Please help me.
Tell me your story.
Bless their hearts.
They were probably thinking I need a psychiatrist instead of an internist.
They were so gracious.
I took their name and number and they said
I could call anytime and they would tell me their story.
Weeks past and I could not stop thinking about
Mr. and Mrs. Cole.
Earline and Nathaniel.
I finally decided to call and got an invitation to their home.
I asked her why she would let a complete stranger into her home,
and she said,
"I know you're okay. I just know."
I wrote out some questions, grabbed my laptop and headed to Midland.
I drove up to the sweetest house and Miss Earline was standing at the door with
that big beautiful smile ready to greet me.
Mr. Cole was napping,
otherwise known as "reluctant".
She talked...
and talked...
and I listened....
and listened...
We still talk regularly.
I call and know to give her plenty of time to get to the phone.
Mr. Cole has warmed up to me...
he even gave me the secret to his delicious cornbread recipe.
They love me..
and I love them back.
They remind me to trust Jesus and
they pray for me and my girls.
There is so much more to the story,
but I will save it for the book.
It's worth reading....
and The Coles are worth knowing.
Their story was more than I ever expected and
I was so glad I asked.
A story that broke my heart and mended my soul at the same time.
I am in love.
With them.
with their story,
with life.
~gina
