After several Divorce Recovery meetings in the Church. Nancy became my new friend. Kindhearted and sad like all of us, but Nancy possesses a rare balance of introspection and extraversion.
She laughs and tells me the only reason is because of time. She also had her own Horror story.
Her husband had a six-month affair with her teenage daughter’s best friend (the same age as their daughter). He is now in Jail. The worst part- He was a Police Officer.
Nancy and I were walking out of our Divorce Recovery meeting heading to our cars in the Church parking lot when she suddenly stopped.
“Jillie,” she said, touching my arm. “Listen, do you have an Americn Express card.” “Yes.” “Great, she nods her head and then she looked up and smiled. “Do this tomorrow. Buy as many $100 gift cards as you can.”
“What? Buy gift cards, Nancy?” “Yes, because Jillie, your husband Nick will cancel all your credit cards. This will keep you alive with some money.” I hugged her so hard I think I could have broken her. “Oh my God, I would never have thought of that. Thank you so much.”
“Also,” Nancy said as she dug deep into her purse. “I want you to take this.” She handed me a small wooden box with a gold clasp.
“This is your Worry Box.” “Worry Box?” “Yes. Open it.”
Inside was a deck of 3×5 blank index card. I look up at Nancy puzzled.
Nancy pulled a pen out of her purse. Then she took an index card from the box.
”It gets rougher,” she said. “You will need a place to put all your worries. Start each sentence with–she started to write on the card.
“Dear Worry Box, please take all my Worries away.” Then date it and write today’s Worry.
“You will look back someday and be immensely proud of what you have accomplished by giving your Worries away. It will help to keep you resilient.”
This time the tears fell. “Nancy, I am almost embarrassed by how hungry I am for help.”
She laughed.
“At least, Nancy I have tissues. I’ve learned to carry these daily.
Thank you so much Nancy. Your advice and friendship you don’t know how much it means to me.”