Repent Before Exiting

Today was the funeral of Billy Graham. Someone on TV said it was time for the world to share a story about Billy Graham-- and I do have one!

I grew up in a family where humor was rewarded. You know how some dads will push kids in sports and make a big deal out of wins and trophies? Well, that wasn't my dad.

My dad LOVED a good joke. If you told him a good one, he'd repeat it to every friend and acquaintance with the shine of pride. As a little girl, I always tried to make my dad laugh. The first joke I remember thinking I had nailed was this: why don't blondes play horse shoes? They eat the stakes.

That was a fail. My dad did the obligatory parent-laugh and tried really hard to pretend that was funny. Then there were the old jokes I'd hear and try to recycle. But my dad wasn't the kind of parent who allowed you to lean back on your heels. If I started an old joke, the master of funnies would always fill in the punchline. "Where does an 800 pound gorilla sleep?" Dad would quickly answer, "Anywhere he wants to."

One day, we were driving to my sister's in South Carolina. From West Virginia, you drive through North Carolina. Somehow, we got off our route and onto the Billy Graham Parkway. This was back in the day, where you had to check the paper map for directions. I had the map. And honestly? I was about thirteen and already showing signs of being directionally challenged.

In exasperation, I sighed and said, "It's the Billy Graham Parkway. You have to repent before you can exit."

My dad laughed. Like full-on belly laugh that caused after-shock chuckles hours later. I had arrived-- not geographically, we were still lost-- but I had reached humor maturity. I still can't deliver a joke with any sort of mastery, but on that day, thanks to Billy Graham, I was funny.

RIP Billy Graham, though I'm sure he's having a good time in heaven.

Time for my small things check-in. Thanks to our hosts Lexa and L  .G  for this weekly reminder to look for the good things in life!

I went to the Price is Right Live with my mother-in-law and sister in law. I coulda been a contender!!! But was never called to the stage-- which I was actually happy about because I am pretty awkward and probably would have faceplanted climbing the steps.  

Boy #4, Conner, had a week off from school for the WV teacher walk out. He told me to tell all the teachers I knew to stay strong and not return to work. He knows first-hand, when a politician asks you to be reasonable and return to work (or the football field in his case) while they work out the problem-- you're being a chump and they'll screw you every time. 
*I'm certain he has no hidden agenda in wanting the teachers to maintain their walk-out...it's all about principle, I'm sure ;)

Join Misha for this monthly goal check in

This year, I am focusing my goal pursuit on what matters most as a writer-- finishing books. In January, I called Flip My Heart rough done. But you know how that goes. As soon as I shut off the laptop, tweaks, changes. and plot holes started running through my brain. So, during February, I re-read and fixed up some holes and hopefully added some polish. It's off to my agent. Fingers crossed!!