A Thanksgiving Gift

I went to Carlton United Methodist church in Waterport (just north of Albion) last week to see Mark Randall as Charles Dickens in a one man performance of A Christmas Carol with my Dad, Ruth, and her Mom. After the show, a woman approached me and the following conversation took place:

Woman: "Hi, by any chance is your father's name Paul?"

Me: "Yes, he is."

Woman: "I thought so. You probably don't remember me but I knew you when you were a little girl and this tall. [lowers her hand above her knee]. I just wanted to tell you that you've grown into a beautiful woman."

While we were catching up about the last 20 + years, I was trying to figure out why I didn't recognize this woman at all. I've had this conversation many times when I come home to Albion but I'm usually able to recall at least one memory with the person who remembers me. I felt bad that this woman was so kind and I felt like I had never seen her before.

On Thanksgiving, my Dad told me that he was also surprised that this woman picked me out of the crowd. She remembered me from Albion United Methodist church - the church where I was baptized, the church I attended with my Mom and Dad, and the church my Dad and I left shortly after my Mom passed...

My Dad was so surprised that he approached her later that evening and had the following conversation:

My Dad: "I'm very curious. You haven't seen Melisa since she was 3 years old. How did you know that was her?"

Woman: "I recognized Barb."

Loaf & Ladle

I had so much fun yesterday with my Aunt Annette. Last month, I started volunteering with her at the Loaf and Ladle soup kitchen. This is is the second time I've gone and I'm starting to recognize the regulars. It is amazing how appreciative people are when I don't feel like I'm doing enough.

One of the perks is that she is giving me cooking lessons. She taught me how to make butternut squash soup (one of my favorites), a pasta bake with homemade sauce, and apple crisp. YUM!

Christmas Dinner!

The crowns were in our Christmas Crackers. Here I am with my family just before Christmas dinner:

From left to right: Jessica, Melly, Ruth, Hunter, Aunt Ellen, Granddad, Stephan, Auntie Margaret, Alex, Dad Not Pictured: Uncle Scott

Study Sanctuary

I have a midterm a week from Tuesday which means I'll be anti-social until approximately 10:00 pm on October 21st.

I'm spending this evening at the "Stoffel Study Sanctuary" to prepare for my upcoming exam. Aunt Sue always has dinner on the table, snacks in the cupboard, and a never ending supply of dark chocolate desserts. I also love that she doesn't think I'm too old to get tucked into bed.

She taught me how to focus when I was little and now my study sleepovers keep me disciplined. Thank you, Aunt Sue, for the hospitality that helped me earn two financial licenses and waive the GMAT. :)

To read more about my wonderful aunt, check out Sarah's tribute!

Packing Procrastination

Instead of packing for my move to the bachelorette pad of the century as well as my upcoming hurricane relief trip, I'm uploading photos and catching up on speeches from the convention last week.

Thanks Sarah, my younger and more beautiful (not by much) cousin for designing my custom header and footer! If you would like your own, you can get one here. You'll get extra special attention if you tell Sarah that her older and wiser (not by much) cousin sent you...

Lesson In Brevity

While working on my Simon application essays, I received the following note in the mail:

"Melisa,
Thanks a lot for the money. I really appreciate it. Can't wait to bug you about being so short. Miss you.
Love,
xxxx" -written by my cousin who recently graduated from high school

It made me smile as I was trying to make my own sentences concise and clear.