I decided it was time to buy a house and I mentioned it in the teachers’ lounge one day at lunch. Quickly I heard, “You should buy Deena’s house.”

Deena lived in a cottage style home, which just happened to be steps away from the home where I grew up and where my mother still lived. A small park separated my mother’s house and Deena’s. There were large oak trees in the front and back yards. The location would be perfect. 

What was I thinking? I couldn’t afford a house. This whole idea was so new to me. That night my curiosity got the best of me and I called anyway.

Deena’s husband, Harry, answered the phone. “Hi, this is Gail Cawley. . . Parks,” he didn’t know me by my married name. “I heard that your house is for sale.”

“Yes, it is,” he replied in a businesslike tone.

“Can you tell me about it?” I was almost embarrassed to ask.

He explained that they had done some remodeling and had added a master suite as well as extending the kitchen. 

I finally took a breath and asked, “And what are you asking for it?”

He gave me the price and my heart sank. “That’s what I thought it might be. I’m sure it is worth that, but it is more than I can afford, but thanks anyway.” I hung up the phone and the reality of purchasing a home set in. How did I think I could buy a house? That was a silly dream.

Just a few minutes later the phone rang. This was long before caller I.D., so I didn’t know who it was.

 “Gail, this is Harry Wood. Deena and I talked about it and decided for you we will sell the house for. . .” and he gave a figure ten thousand dollars less than the previous price he had given me just minutes before.

Choking back tears of joy, I said, “Oh, my. Really?”

“Yes,” he assured me.

“Perhaps I can manage that,” I said, almost unable to speak.

I went to see the inside of the house the following day. It was not new, but definitely had character and room for my family.

Ultimately, with a little help from Mom for the down payment and a loan for new first-time homebuyers I was able to purchase a house. In the years that followed it proved to be the perfect location. My mother could walk over, and she was always available for the kids. They developed a strong bond with her. Each child could get to the campus of their schools on bikes. The high school where I worked was right around the corner.

Sometimes it’s easier to see God’s hand than others. This time it was easy.

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Next entry will post in two weeks

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I raised three children as a single mother before I remarried. In 2007 I founded SMORE for Women, a nonprofit whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered. I’m also a Certified Professional Coach and my stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines. My book, Living Learning Loving is available on Amazon.  My Website.