RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32966, 12 July 1972, Page 26

RANDOM REMINDER

LATE STARTER

Among the senior citizenry of Christchurch is a lady who is particularly well liked by all who know her, and who numbers among her virtues a staunch and devout support of her church.

For many, many years, she has been a regular attendant at the early morning service, but last month, for the first time, she wavered. It was a fearfully cold morning, and she woke rather later than is her habit. She decided to stay in the warmth of her bed. A second or two later, she conducted a little cross-examination of herself, and came up with a mental verdict something on these lines: “If you don’t get out of this bed and go to church, you are

finished. Once give way So out she climbed, knowing she was well behind schedule — and there were her clothes, all laid out ready for church. But on a mad impulse she decided to retain the very warm, brushed nylon nightdress she had on, simply stuffing it into appropriate places and covering herself with a heavy, camelhair coat. She felt comforted, both from the warmth of her apparel and from the knowledge that she had got herself to the church on time.

It was only when she took communion that she was, as it were, undone. It was necessary 7, of course, for her to extend her arms — and there, in

full splendour, were the frills of lace on the cuffs of her nightgown. Was it mere embarrassment which suggested the curate hesitated before administering the sacrament? It probably was.

But as she returned to her pew, she was convinced that she had probably made a bad job of tucking away the rest of her nightgown, and that it was probably showing from the back view. But there is a silver lining to most clouds. This experience has done her the world of good. Now, on those cold Sunday mornings, she is out and away especially early; no thoughts of ducking under the covers, only a firm resolution never to have to hurry again.