Shirlie
Jean (Starling) Ford, 41 years old, a career minded registered nurse joined the
group two Sundays after Milly joined. "How did you become a nurse?" asked the
Captain. "I felt that I could serve GOD by helping others. Jesus told us to heal
the sick, and love your neighbor."(Matthew 10:8 and 19:19} Shirlie Jean was the
only member that had been married. "I divorced two years ago. He was alcoholic
and abusive. I had to. And I'm never getting married again."
Milly responed,
"I don't have time for a man, and I don't need one either. My mother needs me."
"Oh, you take care of your mother, how wonderful," said Shirlie Jean. "I'm
afraid of marriage; I've seen too many unhappy women," added Milly. Shirlie Jean
spoke again, "And after the divorce I was left alone. No one from my family or
church helped me." "How sad," said Charles. "Doctor Abernethy has invited me out
several times, but I told him 'No.' He's so old and old." "Shirlie, Do you watch
ER?" "Heavens no, I see enough at work." "Didn't Saint Mary's Hospital's float
win an award this year?" asked Charles. "Yes, the Community Service Award,"
answered Milly. "Shirley Jean, can I ask you a medical question in private?"
asked the Captain.
A few minutes later they rejoined the others who were
talking to Buddy. "How long have you had Buddy?" Milly asked Charles. "Two
years. Do you have any pets?" "My mother has a Persian cat," answered Milly.
They continued to talk and played scrabble. "I go jogging every morning in the
park. Would anyone like to join me?" asked Charles. "I will," replied Shirlie
Jean. "O.K. meet me in the parking lot at 7."
The next morning they met at
the park. Charles thought Shirley Jean was pretty in jogging shorts. Shirlie
Jean felt secure and important jogging with the Captain.
The next Sunday
everyone met again for food, fellowship, and scrabble at the Captain's. "How are
things at the hospital?" asked Charles. "Mr. Parker in 304 kept calling for a
pill for pain. We can't give anyone anything except when scheduled. He kept
crying "I'm dying! Help me!" "Well, we knew he was o.k. so I gave him a placebo,
and in a few minutes he said, "Thank you. I feel much better." "Shirlie, Do you
think medicine could ever make us immortal?" Shirley Jean answered, "I wouldn't
want to spend eternity here. And the Bible says man's life span is
limited.{Psalms 90:10 and Genesis 3:24} "Amen," said Albert. "And what's new at
the schools?" asked Charles. Albert answered first. "One of my eleventh grade
students, Matthew brought some photographs to class. He is also in my Explorer
Scout Troop and this was a project that will earn him a science badge. He
connected a digital camera to his telescope that he built last year. He put the
pictures on a CD disk so the whole class could see them." "I would like to see
them sometime. How was your week Shirley?" "Something funny happened Wednesday.
I asked all the kids to bring something for 'show and tell' to class. One boy
brought a superman costume and a pair of his superman underwear. Everyone
laughed at him, and he started to cry. I had to tell the class that it was
unkind and rude to laugh at him. I told the children that Jesus never made fun
of others. And I made them all one by one apologize to Dion." "It's a shame
Milly isn't here this week," said the Captain. "Well, I would rather be in
Hawaii too. I hope she is having a good time even though it is a business trip,"
said Shirley Jean. "Ready to play now?" asked Charles. "I don't like loosing; it
always makes me feel bad," said Shirley Jean.
Three months passed since the
first scrabble game. It was summer; school was out. Charles and Shirlie Jean
were still jogging around the park. But Shirlie Jean and Albert had started to
date. Albert found Shirlie Jean very attractive. After a few movies they went to
the flea market where Albert told her, "You are beautiful." Shirlie Jean was
knocked off her feet by the lively, intelligent, fun, kind and generous, and
sexy looking science teacher.
Shirley Hill was hurt, but too shy to express
her feelings. Secretly she wished she could be with Albert, and she was jealous
of Shirlie Jean. "I can't let this get me down," thought Ms. Hill, "There are
things that I need to do. GOD knows what's best for me."
All five in the
group were Christians. Albert, Shirlie Jean, and Shirley Hill all went to the
same church. Albert and Shirley Hill "seemed" to be a better match, but Albert
and Shirlie Jean were dating each other.
Charles and Milly went to another
church. They "seemed" to be a match.
**continue**
