good idea Joe.” That was all she said to me, leaving the interpretation to my thought process. Of course my thought process was flawed. She is most likely thinking, “Why would I want to go out with an old guy like you?”
Shot down and deflated, it took me a long time to get the nerve to ask her out again (after we were married, I discovered what she was thinking). Dodie told me it was, “You just went through triple bi-pass, I don’t think you would be in good enough shape to walk all over the Fair grounds.” Her answer was based in wisdom and her sincere concern for my well being, while my thoughts were of my being too old for her. Before we got married, I found much to my surprise, Dodie was actually four years “older” than me. Can you believe that??? But to the end, she never looked it!
It took a couple of months, but the idea of trying again seemed like the thing to do. There was a church in Largo, called Aldersgate Methodist, which offered a free concert of country Gospel music on Saturday nights. Being poor, I thought this might work. So I asked Dodie if she would like to accompany me to one of the concerts. A group of really good, talented, professional grade musicians put on the concerts. Dodie said she would be happy to go with me. Halleluiah! Look out Dodie! I’m going to get you yet!
At the first concert, as we were walking toward the building, I tried awkwardly to put my arm around her shoulder. She kind of shied away from that idea. This made me worry a bit, but still, after the concert had ended I asked if she had liked it. When she said she had, I quickly asked if I could take her to the next one. Much to my delight, she agreed. I did not know it then, but the romance I had envisioned was starting to bloom!
Chapter Four
Cupids’ Arrows Fly in Old Town
We had twice attended the Gospel Opry, but not as official dates. Still on the way home after the last time, in confidence, Dodie told me that she had feelings for me. Things are beginning to look up. Maybe there is some hope for me! Anyway, this is what I was thinking when at church it was announced in Old Town, Florida, a church was going to be having an all night praise, prayer and worship service.
I had heard of such a service but had never before attended one. Old Town was a very long drive and my old car already had lots of mileage on it. Could it possibly make it up to Old Town and back? These were the concerns I voiced, as I spoke with Dodie about how I’d like to attend such a service. “If you’d really like to go, I’m planning on going. I would be glad to drive you up there with me.” “Thanks God, (I was thinking) prayer answered.” I get her alone for a long drive. Maybe we can get to know each other better.
The day for our road trip arrived quickly. We had to bring with us a sleeping bag, and of course a toothbrush and toothpaste. It turned out to be a very long drive indeed. But what a fun trip! We laughed a lot telling stories about some of the funny things which had happened in our lives. Then something fantastic happened!
We were traveling on US Highway 19 north, going around 70 mph, as there was little to no traffic on the long stretch of road ahead. Then we came up behind one of those hauling trucks used to transport new cars. It was an empty double Decker with its ramp nearly touching the pavement. Being directly behind the truck, both of us doing seventy, Dodie suddenly made known what she was thinking.
“I wonder if I speed up, we can jump on the ramp and hitch a ride?” I replied by saying, “Oh my goodness! I’m riding with Clint Eastwood!” (This was a stunt performed in one of Clint’s movies. He was chasing the bad guy who was driving such a truck. He sped up and jumped the ramp on to the truck). I wondered if Dodie had seen that movie or this was an original idea. Then it occurred to me, what a great woman! She knows how to think like a man, but still is very feminine and exceptionally Beautiful! I began asking myself; could she be the one I have been looking to find all of my life? Meanwhile, Cupid was loading up a quiver full of arrows for our arrival at Old Town.
We had started out fairly early, around 10 A.M.; it was now after 6 P.M. as we arrived at the church’s grassy parking lot. The building was like a basketball gym. It looked that way both inside and out. We met and greeted the people who were there, many of them friends we knew. We also met many more fellow Christians as the night progressed. Poor Dodie, I was thinking that after having made this long drive, throughout the night she would have to stay awake till morning and then drive back.
You can imagine what a relief it was, when nearing 10 P.M. it was announced we would be allowed to sleep until midnight, at which time we would be awakened and then stay up all night, praising, praying, and worshipping the Lord. I was so happy to hear that news, especially for Dodie, who had done all of the driving. But my delight quickly faded when I learned they had fibbed about allowing us to get a little sleep.
There came a loud sound over the PA system. Someone brilliantly decided it would be a good idea to play music for us to sleep by. It was Contemporary Christian Rock music, which I like. But they played it full blast, so you could hardly make out the words – only hear the noise of music played full blast. You would literally have to be dead to sleep through this! Then there were the teens. They gathered together in groups around the gym and were talking and laughing loudly.
I should mention it was here our sleeping bags came into use. We were sectioned off, men in one row divided by folding metal chairs, with women in the next. This had Dodie attempting to sleep, laying in the row directly to my left. All I did was toss and turn as the noise made it impossible to sleep. I was wondering if Dodie were having the same problem as I. So I called out to her, asking if she could sleep. “Are you kidding? she asked. Who can sleep with all of this noise going on?”
Time seemed to drag on, especially as I looked at my watch every fifteen minutes. Finally, it got to be a quarter to midnight. It was then I heard a loud OUCH, come from Dodie. I reached over and touched her shoulder, as I called out with concern asking, “Dodie, are you alright?” With a voice sounding a bit of frustration, Dodie said, “Yes, I’m ok. I just bumped my head on the floor.” “Boy are you brave! I said. I thought of trying that about an hour ago; but with my kind of luck, I was afraid all I’d get if I tried, would be a headache.” At my remark, any who had been within earshot of us suddenly burst into laughter, including Dodie.
Our “sleep” now at an end, it was time to get the service started. First, was time to dance around the gym floor to the music while lifting up hands in praise to God; or, if you were like me, a man having no rhythm, you could stand in place and watch the others.
As I did, my eyes seemed to focus in on one dancer in particular. Dodie moved with such grace and beauty as her gorgeous female frame accented every beat of the music, everything in perfect flow with the music. Just like when we first met, she literally took my breath away!
Several times as I was watching Dodie dance, people came up to me offering a complement (I guess they noticed the focus of my attention). “Your wife sure dances well.” Sometimes it was “Your wife certainly is a beautiful lady.” With my thoughts concurring, I would answer by saying a polite, “Thank you, she sure does, (or) she sure is.” Then the reality of the fact that Dodie was not my wife (at least not yet) hit me. I would then say in apology, “I’m sorry, she’s not my wife, we’re just friends.”
But every time I made that last remark, I would be thinking, “Oh Lord, how I wish she could be my wife! Lord, I am certain beyond any doubt, Dodie is the woman I have been looking for all of my life. May I please be worthy to become her husband?” I knew I was deeply in love with this amazing beautiful woman; the head over heels kind, the filled with joy kind, the exciting kind of love I had always been seeking to experience. I had no reservations or fear about freely feeling love and devotion toward this wonderful daughter of God. But I wondered, did God think I was worthy of her? Also, what would she think if I were to so early announce my love and devotion? Would she think I was being way too bold, declaring my
