Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

This is an article I enjoyed writing last January after coming home from church. I was impressed with this little girl and her ability to warm the hearts of people who know her. I want to share that experience with “For Another Day’s” readers.

This morning I looked for all excuses not to go to church. I had lots of them, but the most usable excuse was the weather. It was a little icy. “Oh Well,” I thought, “God takes good care of me, this is the least I can do for him.” So, off I went and found that Rev. Malchow had prepared his sermon just for me.

Little Leslie Hammergren came in about one-forth of the way through the service. I motioned for her to set with me, but she opted to set by herself. In her pocket was her small Bible, which she showed to Fern Schegg. In the Bible was a bookmark she had gotten for Christmas. She felt so comfortable with us and, as I watched her, I prayed of blessings from God, for her.

After the service was over, Rev. Malchow had a special children’s time. Leslie expected this and marched right up there and took her place beside him on the floor of the altar holding her little Bible. She listened to him and answered his questions and bowed her little head in prayer.

I talked to her as we all shook hands and talked in fellowship. She was proud of her new Green Bay Packer jacket. She said, “It fits my dad but he can’t get it buttoned.” I asked her what size shoe she wore. “Size one,” quickly came from her mouth, “You know you have to buy them a little big.” Leslie is a one-in-a-million child. She is quick to respond to the elderly of our little town. Giving all them a warm smile and a “What you doing?” Leslie will grow up in the same home the Donovan children grew up in, and before that, the Hart’s and before that the McGrew’s. Her folks are remodeling that beautiful house and doing a good job of it. I love to go there and see their progress.

She will have wonderful memories sleeping in the maid’s room of the banker’s house. It makes my heart feel good to know there is a child in that house once again. I so enjoy going by the house at night and seeing lamplight coming through the windows. Everybody loves Leslie. She is a God-sent child with short perky blond hair. She lightens our day and lessens our frowns. The little girl likes to get the mail from the box at the post office, go barefooted and go to the Community Center at Bloomington to see the adults who go there on Tuesday and Thursday to eat their noon meal. And, of course she likes to ride her bike and go swimming. Can you older folks remember when all you needed was a bike, a can of soda and a swimming hole to be as happy as you could ever be?

“Children and fools speak true,” “Endymion,” John Lyly

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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