A Hat from Heaven

Anyone who knows me knows that I love hats. They are a daily part of my wardrobe. In fact, I even wear a hat to bed.

Well, yesterday, I came home from my meeting at the Good News Foundation for Christ the King Shrine. As I came to the backdooor of my home, I noticed a pretty black hat with a purple satin ribbon on it. It had a matching purple satin flower on the ribbon. Immediately, I put it on. Of course I had to remove Grampa's "Pork Pie" hat first.

Jim had just gotten home for lunch. I asked if he knew where the hat came from. He did not. I started to think of who my benefactor could be. Many people have given me hats over the years so I was really stumped.

A couple of hours later, I heard a knock at the door. It was my neighbor Howie. He had just lost his wife Doris last week. Howie asked me, "Did you get the hat?"

"Oh, was that from you Howie?!" I asked excitedly.

"No, that is from Doris. She got it for you before she took sick."

Immediately I had goosebumps.

"I just came across it, and I wanted to be sure that you had it." Howie said.

I could not get over this. Doris was my neighbor just up the road from me. She was an excellent seamstress. She was also a great cook. She was one of the most resourceful people who I have ever come across in this life. If I gave her something, she would give me something from her garden.

Doris also, like her husband Howie, had a huge heart. They would both take in foster children giving them a loving home. I remember them coming to the house when James was little - showering him with Christmas presents. Howie could be Santa Claus. He is jolly and good-natured. He has kind blue eyes and just a real lovable way about him.

My heart breaks. I was thinking of Doris when James and I went to visit her in the hospital. She said, "I love you." James and I prayed with her. She was too young to die - just a couple of years older than I. God rest her. God help Howie.

Thank you Doris - for my hat from Heaven.

Finding my new hat