OUT TO PASTOR: It was a snarly kind of day

Last week, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had another one of her girl days with our daughter and granddaughter.Don’t let this get around, but it’s one of my favorite days of the year, including my birthday. It’s a day which I can do what I want to do.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 81

Tears gathered, and she could go no further.Corrina got up and hugged Mama again, and, for the first time that I can remember, they cried together. I don’t know if Mama had ever told that whole story. Those were the things you seldom talk about. You don’t bring them up.

OUT TO PASTOR: How much sleep is too much?

I have noticed recently that sleeping has become a very important part of my life.This just snuck up on me overnight.When I was young and living at home, I tried to come up with excuses and reasons for not going to bed at night.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 80

“We enjoyed our family so much,” Mama continued.” We went to church together, and while Zeke wasn’t interested in preaching or anything, he studied and knew his Bible with the best of them. He made sure his boys were at church, too.

OUT TO PASTOR: The journey of 1,000 miles begins with an apple fritter

Life has many paths, and I have discovered that traveling any of them takes a lot of energy.Unlike The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, my energy comes from those wonderful apple fritters. I can’t remember the first time I had one, but I vividly remember the last time.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 80

Corrina and I walked back down the hill face to face with the burnt orange sunset and found Mama waiting for us with a soft smile. Grandma had fixed her a hot cup of tea and stacked pillows behind her so she could sit up in bed, and she waited patiently.

OUT TO PASTOR: Sir Procrastinate-A-Lot rules my day

I must admit that I procrastinate a lot. The biggest example is when I get up in the morning. I wait until the very last minute to get up. My goal is to get up before lunch.This is the primary difference between me and The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 79

I am sure Corrina needed our moments over at our vacant lot much more than both of us realized. That time gave us something to reflect on later when things were not as worry-free as they were on that third Friday of July, the year 1973.

OUT TO PASTOR: Money, money, money... where’s all the money?

I can’t keep count of all the phone calls informing me that I won millions of dollars and a brand-new Mercedes-Benz. All I have to do is send them $15,000 to cover the income tax and processing fee, and they will be able to send me millions of dollars.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 78

“Did you ever tell Corrina the hard part about your daddy, Popman?” Cheyenne asked. “Even though you're telling the story to me now, it seems you are almost putting it off, as if you don’t want to ruin your story.”I had to work that thought in my mind because I knew he was onto something.