Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FERHOODLE (confuse or mix-up) (03/03/16)
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TITLE: Katrina's Prayer | Previous Challenge Entry
By LeslieJean Anderson
03/10/16 -
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“Grandma! I am stuck at work again. Can you pick up Lizzy at school and keep her until dinnertime? Please?”
Katrina sighed. No nap again. “Of course, dear. Um… I was just getting ready to go grocery shopping, but Lizzy and I can do that together.”
“Thanks, Grandma – you’re the best. Maybe you can read her some of your favorite Bible story books. She still likes for you to do that.”
“I like it too, dear. Don’t worry. Just come and pick her up when you get off, ok?”
“Thanks again. Bye!”
Katrina groaned as she rolled off the bed, looking for her shoes. She would be eighty soon, and everything ached. All the time. But she could still drive and generate enthusiasm for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And for God.
For many years after her early retirement Katrina had enjoyed an active lifestyle. She traveled, took classes – lots of Bible studies - and worked part-time when she felt like it. But just ten years ago, when the new government took over, life had suddenly changed. Prices had soared, the new currency wasn’t worth nearly as much and everyone over seventeen and under sixty worked six days a week for the State.
What a crazy ferhoodled world it had become, in her opinion. The worst part was that State employment required working on Sundays. Religion itself had not been outlawed, but it might as well have been, since church attendance got so low that most churches had quickly run into financial problems. The government had jumped at the chance to buy the buildings to turn them into community centers.
All this was making family life very hard for everyone. After decades of easy living for the retired crowd, grandparents were being called back into service. It was almost like life in the old country. So Katrina had moved closer to her children and grandchildren, doing what she could. Today it was picking up Lizzy, her youngest great-grandchild.
Hurrying out the door, Katrina suddenly realized that she’d forgotten the car keys. In her haste to retrieve them, she left the door to her little house open and the cat streaked out the door.
“Oh no,” Katrina muttered to herself. “Noodle got out. Lizzie will be upset.”
Grabbing the keys off the table, Katrina made her way to the car then to the school, getting there just in time. She showed her ID to the officials and stood in line, waiting.
Soon Katrina and seven-year old Lizzie were on their way to the government grocery store. When they got home Lizzie helped Katrina bring in the groceries, which included a box of rationed doughnuts, her favorite treat.
“Just one for now, Lizzie. We’ll save the rest for later, ok?”
“Ok. Where is Noodle, Granny-Ma?”
“She went outside, but I am sure she’ll be back soon.”
Katrina eyed her great-granddaughter worriedly. Even Lizzie knew that stray animals were quickly caught and turned over to the rescue groups who paid good money to the finders. To retrieve a lost pet required committing to several hours of animal care counseling and paying a fine. There were also additional charges for boarding and veterinarian examinations.
“You know Lizzie, we could pray for Noodle to come back soon,” said Katrina.
“Like in the Bible stories?”
“Yes. Let’s do that right now.”
“Ok.”
So they both got down on their knees by the couch. Lizzie prayed for the cat, and Katrina prayed for Lizzie’s faith to bear fruit.
“Amen,” said Lizzie as she hopped up to finish her doughnut. As Katrina heaved herself up to her feet, they heard a meow at the window.
“Thank you, Jesus,” breathed Katrina as Lizzie opened the window and let the cat in.
“Noodle! I’m so glad you came home,” exclaimed Lizzie as she carried the cat to the table. “You can have some of my sugar doughnut.”
Soon Katrina and Lizzie were sitting together on the couch, reading Bible stories with Noodle sleeping soundly beside them. When Lizzie’s mother finally arrived, they were drawing the animals in Noah’s ark on paper plates and singing “Jesus loves me.”
Kicking her shoes off at last, Katrina sighed deeply and lay down on her bed. She smiled to herself as she closed her tired eyes, folding her hands over her satisfied heart.
“Our Father, Who art in Heaven…” she began to whisper. Then she drifted off to sleep.
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