Buon giorno!
Reflecting on the past two weeks I must say I didn't expect the turn of events that entered my life. Pneumonia, a severe sinus infection, and an ICU stay in the hospital have really taken a toll on my thinking. Somehow a spirit of thankfulness overtakes all the demands of life, or what we deem to be demands.
It seemed just a few weeks back I was struggling with whether to continue my next book Rosalie Serving Country. I had been trying to perfect the Southern Belle dessert Apple Dumplings. It was on a Wednesday morning that I decided to try my hand at these little darlings just one more time. After making the dough and trying to roll it out on my counter, I could tell it was going to be disastrous. Aggravated, I swept dough an apples alike into the waste can. This was the fourth time of trying, and I was saying " I Quit"! I looked down at Cappuccino, my ShihTzu, and said "Come on Capps, lets take a walk".
I am blessed to have a gorgeous Gulf grounds near my house with a beautiful walking trail, so without further thought the dog and I headed there. It was a beautiful October 24th, and with the crisp air and lovely landscape, maybe one could feel some solace. Right into the walk I started to talk to the Lord out loud about the trying last few days. I told Him I just didn't feel that I had another book in me, and at the rate these crazy recipes were going, it would never come to fruition anyway. I said, " I Quit"! It was at this point that Capps looked up to me and cocked his head as to sympathize. I quickly looked down to him and said "Mind your own business, and look for squirrels".
After enough of the pitiful confession my conversation turned to repentance, and I began to thank God for my health, strength, and the greatest family anyone could ever ask for. I decided to enjoy the remainder of the walk along with Capps as he frolicked through the woods in hopes of seeing one of his rodent friends.
We got home about an hour later, and as I entered the kitchen and looked at the dough in the waste can, something rose up in me that said "Just try one more time". If you have been keeping up with my newsletters, you all know that this was the "Breakthrough of the Apple Dumpling Dilemma". This was the day the recipe was perfected and baked up so beautifully, I just had to step back and smile.
Heading to the hospital after the dumplings came out of the oven so that my trusty co-workers could taste-taste, I was feeling rejuvenated and back on track. Of course i wasn't going to Quit. I had a book to write!
It was the next day that I came down with the illness and many days thereafter to think about the statement "I Quit"! How grateful I was to see the days of recovery, and be able to thank God for the many opportunities he daily gives me to better my life as well as those around me. The great Abraham Lincoln lost almost every election he ran for until he was elected President of the United States. I wonder would have happened if he scummed to self-pity and quit?
Maybe we would still be in slavery. Thank God for those among us that will persevere in the face of adversity. So hang in there my friends, don't give up just yet. The Apple Dumplings are just waiting to be perfected, along with our failing business, home life, marriage, that wayward child, or our life-long dream that is still hanging out there and waiting to be fulfilled. So keep keeping on, and by all means don't QUIT! Remember, 2nd Corinthians,12:9... "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness".
Check my newsletter for my upcoming events, and God Bless!
Rosalie.. and keep serving Italian.
