Scene and heard at church

Entering the vestibule from the church auditorium after morning services yesterday, I noticed through the many windows that what had started as a sunny day, had become a rainy one.

I put away my suddenly superfluous Ray-Bans (they were already in my hand) and walked over towards where Audrey and Dagny were standing.

As I reached them, a little girl aged approximately four or five -- I didn't recognize her -- approached Dagny, asking her name.

She said she'd forgotten it and had resorted to calling Dagny "friend."

Assuming this was a carryover from interactions during children's church, I leaned down and told the child that her new friend's name was Dagny.

Then I asked what her name was.

Starla, she said.

Starla? I repeated. I love that name!

And I did. It was perfect for her.

Already walking away, being led by an adult hand, the little lass replied to my compliment.

Trust me, she said. Everyone loves that name.

True story. Every word.

I quoted Starla liberally throughout the rest of the day, and then I figured I'd better tell you about the remark.

Because it smacks of two things I prize: spirit and originality.

Anyone can sweetly say thank you. And there's nothing wrong with that; in fact, there's a lot right with it.

It's what I would have said if someone had complimented my name (which, because it is so common, no one in my memory ever has).

But Starla's rejoinder was spontaneous and illuminating and utterly lacking in the treacle upon which casual small talk so often floats.

And unbelievably cute, coming as it did from a person of her age and size.

We were still chuckling as we walked outside.

There's a generous portico where, during inclement weather, we ladies wait for our men to bring the cars up so we won't have to get any damper than necessary.

And there, someone had propped an unnervingly lifelike doll against a support column.

Seriously, it looked like a living child, wearing little clothes and sporting a dirt-smudged face.

Liking the creepiness factor, before TG arrived to collect me I whipped out my phone and took the picture at the top of this post.

You never know what you'll see and hear at church. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

So pay attention.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Monday