The Shoe Box

A young lady planning her wedding, received this sage advice from her mother. "Never give in to anger, instead, knit a doll."

One day, Ruth confided to her husband that the shoebox on the shelf of their bedroom closet was her "PRIVATE SPACE." She obtained from him the promise that he wouldn't open it, until her death. After 60 years of marriage, Ruth became deathly ill, and the doctor advised Jim that he should get his affairs in order.

"The end was near so he searched throughout the house for valuables and important papers. His eyes came across the shoebox. He decided to take it to the hospital and let Ruth decide if this was a good time to open it. She agreed. Inside were two knit dolls and a stack of money. Tears filled his eyes as he cried out: "During our long married life, you were angry with me only twice!" Then he started to count the bills, $2,500. WOW! "But I don't understand? Where does the money come from?" She answered sheepishly, "That's from the sale of the dolls!

– Father Anthony, ETWN

February 25, 2007