My Peppermint Cheerleader

For the large part of my life (from childhood to early adulthood), my family and me attended an independent Baptist church in central Ohio.[i] My late pastor’s wife of this church has remained a good friend of my family.[ii] She continues to be one of my loudest cheerleaders in encouraging me anytime we communicate.

The two of us are like kindred spirits in that we are both comical, love eating our sweets, are rather opinionated, and enjoy listening to good Southern gospel music. We have made an emotional connection with each other since I was a little boy trying to sit quietly next to her in the church service.

One piece of her peppermint candy was enough to make me smile, and try to be on my best behavior. I even fictionalized a character (Jonna Denton) after her as the pastor’s wife in my book, All for One.

She was one of the nine women I dedicated my first book[iii] to. This is what I said: “Church and my belief in God as a loving Father were a result of my life-long friendship with you. I develop my ability to boldly perform vocal solos in church because of you. I am an outgoing person in my life greatly because of you. I love you.”

Romans 12:9-10, MSG says this about such a close friendship: “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on to dear life for good. Be good friends, who love deeply; practice playing second [in command].”

On September 3, 2005 (when I was forty-two), I got a thank you card that reconfirmed every positive quality I know of myself (deep inside). I still cherish what was said below as an older man now. (The date on this card was a little over four years before my cancer diagnosis.)

Dear Robert,

“...I am proud of you. You have turned out to be a fine young man. I know we have had our ups and downs, but you and your family have always been very special to me.

You are a good father [and] make a [fine] living. You are really trying to live a Christian life, [and] are working hard to keep a good marriage. (Believe me, two people living together is not easy.)

You are [a] caring person. I’m also proud of you for going ahead with your dream in writing[iv]. May God bless your family in a great way….”

Love and Prayers,

Jean Dinoff

“Kindness inspires you to be agreeable. Instead of being obstinate, reluctant, or stubborn, you choose to cooperate and be flexible. Rather than complaining and making excuses, you look for reasons to compromise and accommodate…Kindness makes you willing to stop, think, and evaluate, not to immediately dismiss the other’s opinion.

When we are willing to listen, to share, and to consider others before ourselves, we open up the avenues of peace, love, and blessing. Yes, it takes wisdom and maturity to always take the high road, but it’s a path that leads to benefits we all want for ourselves…”[v]

Though the song, “You Were Loving Me,” is referring to the Almighty’s many wonderful qualities as a true Friend[vi], read the lyrics (below) in relation to a human pal. Who is your closest buddy here on Earth? Remember, your Heavenly Father is always there for you in any life situation. Is it time to offer up a prayer of thanks to Him (for all He continues to be in your time of need)?

Verse One

When my life was empty

You kept my dreams alive,

Day by day your love was there

And I was on your mind.

Verse Two

It was clear I needed you

But my fear kept me away.

If you had forgotten me

I couldn’t live another day.

Chorus One

(But) you were loving me,

Always there loving me.

I was to blame,

I felt the shame

But you were loving me,

Loving me, loving me

Verse Three

Through the long and lonely hours

When my tears fell like rain,

You were right there suffering,

You were feeling all of my pain.

Chorus Two

(But) you were loving me,

You kept right on loving me.

I felt you loving me

I was to blame,

I felt the shame

But you were loving me,

Loving me, loving me

Jean Dinoff giving Bobbi and me her "marriage blessing" at our 1993 wedding reception (as she enjoys a slice of cake). Our wedding photographer was Diane Carpenter.

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[i] See the post, “Church by Choice.”

[ii] See the post, “Farewell to Dr. Dinoff.”

[iii][iii]  My first book was originally titled LACY LESSONS, and was later renamed, WE’RE All JUST ALIKE,(when it was added as part one of ALL FOR ONE; THE TOWNS OF OHIO COMPLETE TRILOGY).

[iv] By this point in my life, my first book had been self-published with two more to follow. An earlier form of my blog was started in December 2014. Out of that, ENCOURAGE ME was eventually formed.

[v] The Love Dare Day by Day by the Kendrick Brothers, “Love keeps an open mind” (Day 51)

[vi] Performed by Lulu Roman