The Bright Side

Back stories intrigue me. How did the dots connect? How did the timing happen? How did the doors of opportunity open? How did all things work together for the good?

There was a Christmas luncheon, an annual event I look forward to every December. After a gourmet meal, our hostess, my dear friend Sondra, has a conversation starter. Sometimes it’s a hand written letter of encouragement, or something she wrote for each lady to read out loud. Every year, Sondra comes up with a clever way for the 10 to 20 ladies to interact, laugh, cry and pray together. It is my favorite part of these luncheons.

This past year, at Sondra’s long, beautifully decorated, dining table, she asked us to share our year with the group, what we are doing, what we are doing next. This is an amazing group of accomplished ladies, such beautiful and inspiring stories were told of God’s irrevocably gifts and callings, in each of their lives.

My big 2023 story was that I would be retiring in February of 2024, after 42 years as a real estate appraiser and business owner. Also, 2024 was bringing my 70th birthday, I would be declaring a platinum jubilee, ready to do something new.  A question was asked about what I would be doing with the free time. I shared that I enjoyed writing and had been writing stories over the past 10 years.  I wanted to put together a book of short stories, about my childhood, married life, motherhood, stuff I think about and of course my beloved sidekick, Barney, the Wonder Dog.  I read one of my little stories, Sondra said they might be a fit for a section of her website and asked if I would send her a few stories. She also asked me to come up with a name, and suggested something like “Carol’s Corner”.  Tears filled my eyes, I was overwhelmed. Her response and suggestion were so kind and unexpected.

The task to think of a name rolled around in my head, but nothing bubbled to the top.  A few weeks later, my husband and I went to Athens, Texas with two other couples to see the 1 mile drive of 4 million Christmas lights. The 6 of us were in a SUV, my friend Brenda and I were in the rear seat for the 1 hour drive from Buffalo to Athens. We talked about a website name for my stories, Brenda told me the right name would come to me, I love her faith.  Brenda also gave her husband wrong directions to Athens, we were heading the wrong way. After a quick reroute, the detour added an additional 15 minutes to our trip, and we were traveling on a completely different highway.  Brenda felt terrible, I said God probably redirected us on purpose, we will never know what He spared us, to protect us … then Brenda said “Leave it to Carol to look on the bright side”.  I knew at that moment  “The Bright Side” was the name.

All things work together for the good of who love Him… In every situation, all things are working together for our good. I embrace this promise, my stories reflect this promise … this promise is how I live, always and forever looking for The Bright Side.  Romans 8:28.