Chapter Ten: "...Despite how things may change..."

It’s crazy how life happens, you know.
 
You never quite know how things are going to end up. It’s kinda like my daddy says, ‘Don’t unpack all your stuff whenever life takes you some place new because you never know when you’ll need to uproot.’  I used to think that was the craziest statement ever, but as I get older it makes sense.  You never want to give anyone all of your emotional baggage and you never put all of your eggs in one basket.  You never know when that stuff can be used against you or when all of your hard work can come crashing down.
 
I wrote in my last blog on Curves, Curls, and Cake that people are ever-evolving.  No one has arrived at anything yet.  Every choice we make, good or bad, takes us to the next step of our development.  I think I have made some pretty good choices in my life so far.  Since I still have more living to do, I will be careful to continue to choose wisely.  I always want my later to be greater.
 
But even this control freak can’t control everything.  I’ve come to accept that.  So I’ll just keep the words to the Serenity Prayer floating around in my mind:
 
“God, help me to accept the things I cannot change…
The courage to change the things I can…
And the wisdom to know the difference.”
 
I’ll especially need help with that last part, Lord.


                                                                                                                 -  Parker
 

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“No, Mom, I don’t know why they want to meet with me.”  Parker took a sip of her latte and leaned back in her chair.  “Yes, I’m nervous.  There’s been a lot of drama over here lately…Yes, I prayed about it…I know I shouldn’t worry if I prayed about it Mama, but still… Ok, ok. I’ll let it go…How is me having a date to Tricie’s wedding on the subject?!...” She laughed as she looked down at her clock, counting down the minutes to her meeting.  “Trust me, there is no one here at this office that I would ever go to McDonald’s with let alone my sister’s wedding…And if I don’t find a date I’m still gonna look fantastic, thank you so much!... Ok, Mama, ok.  I will try to find a date…I said try, I can’t make promises.  But I have to go, it’s two o’clock….Thank you, I appreciate your prayers…I love you too, Mama…Ok, bye.”  Parker put her phone in her drawer and sat at her desk for a moment.  It had been a few months since the first round of layoffs when her firm was bought out and Trina had been promoted.  Since that time, she had worked extra hard in order to keep her position in place.  I know Mama said pray and don’t worry, but I’m worried.  Trina has been trying to get me out of here since we first started right out of college.  She took moment to check her appearance in the mirror, making sure that her appearance was on point.  Ok, Lord, give me strength to handle and grace to accept.  Whatever it will be will be in my best interest.  I have to remember that.  Parker began walking down the hall to Gerald’s office.  Whatever will be will be in my best interest.  I trust….You’ve got to be kidding me!  Parker’s heart dropped as she saw Trina sitting in Gerald’s office.  She took a deep breath to compose herself before anyone noticed her initial expression and knocked on the door to announce her arrival.  “Gerald, you wanted to see me?”

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