6 Questions from the Porch Swing for Gwen Anders and Rebecca Peters

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Some secondary characters are well-drawn; others blur together. With limited time on the page, they don’t get much of an opportunity to tell us who they are. At Bible study meetings, Gwen and Rebecca don’t really sound much different, but in reality, they are, so I thought I’d put them on the porch swing together to answer the Bible study ladies’ questions.

Where will we find you when you’re not on the page of the book we’re reading?

Gwen: Volunteering at my daughter Alaina’s school or working on a project at home. I love sewing, knitting, crocheting and scrapbooking. Luckily my hobbies are quiet--my husband works at home, so I try to stay quietly productive during his business hours.

Rebecca: I like to keep busy. I work part time as a receptionist at an optician’s office, and, when I’m not working, I enjoy biking, swimming and going to the gym. In the evenings and on weekends, my husband and I enjoy trying different restaurants, and we try to plan at least one weekend getaway a month. 

What’s something we’d be surprised to know about you?

Gwen: I have a degree in English literature.

Rebecca: Wow! I did not know that! 

Gwen: You thought education, right? 

Rebecca: I did! I’ve always wanted to be a travel agent.

Gwen: You're so much more adventurous than I am!

What are your thoughts on children?

Gwen: I love them! I’d love to give Alaina a little brother or sister. 

Rebecca: I enjoy kids, but I haven’t been bitten by the baby bug just yet. 

What regrets do you have?

Gwen: Not a single one! I love my life!

Rebecca: I feel exactly the same way.

Whom do you admire? 

Gwen: My husband. He took a big chance starting his own business, and he's willing to work as hard as he has to to make it work.

Rebecca: Angel and Merrilee. Both of them are so sure of what they want from life.

Gwen: Aren't you?

Rebecca: In most aspects, yes. But when it comes to some things, I wish I were more decisive.

Whom do you think is the leader of the Bible study group? 

Gwen: No one. 

Rebecca: I think each of us has something to offer in that respect.

So there you have it! All the ladies of the Bible study. Right now, I'm working on figuring out how they fit into the third Angel and Marita story, as yet unfinished and untitled!

6 Questions from the Porch Swing for Nora Michaels

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Last week, Merrilee Marcus, one of Angel's Bible study friends took a few minutes with us on the porch swing. This week, I visited with another one of Angel's friends from Bible study, Nora Michaels. Nora, a friend and contemporary of Marita's mother Rosemarie, is of a different generation than most of the women in the Bible study. Perhaps that accounts for her somewhat standoffish style. 

Where will we find you when you’re not on the page of the book we’re reading?

NM: I lead a very active volunteer life and am on the board of several community organizations. Chances are good that you will find me in some sort of meeting or working a benefit of some kind.

What’s something we’d be surprised to know about you?

NM: A lady always keeps the element of surprise on her side.

What are your thoughts on children?

NM: Parents should know where children belong and where they don’t. Ah, but perhaps that addresses my feelings about parents more than my feelings about children. Still, children who find themselves in places they don’t belong have a tendency to make themselves unwelcome and make others uncomfortable. This should be avoided for the sake of all those involved.

What regrets do you have?

NM: None that I care to share. 

Whom do you admire? 

NM: The women in this group.

Whom do you think is the leader of the Bible study group? 

NM: This group was designed not to have a specific leader, but I think it’s fair to say that we often look to Merrilee for leadership. She has a way of grasping the unspoken and keeping the peace. 

6 Questions from the Porch Swing for Merrilee Marcus

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The ladies of the Bible study are Angel's support group, sometimes in more ways than they realize. Diverse in personality, each brings her own perspective to the group. This week, Merrilee Marcus joined me on the porch swing.

Where will we find you when you’re not on the page of the book we’re reading?

MM: At home, at church or running one of the many Mom errands that keep me busy.

What’s something we’d be surprised to know about you?

MM: As much as I love my own children, there are days I miss teaching. I loved walking into that classroom every day, looking forward to what the day would bring, and I loved watching the look on my students' faces when something clicked for them. On a more mundane level, I enjoyed getting dressed for work and interacting with grown-ups, too. Unfortunately, I found it impossible to be a teacher and a mother at the same time -- at least not up to the standards I set for myself.

What are your thoughts on children?

MM: I love them, which shouldn’t be surprising since I’ve spent almost my entire adult life as either a teacher or a mom. 

What regrets do you have?

MM: Oh, my. I think every woman has regrets of some sort, generally centering around the times when she encountered a situation that she handled with less grace than she would have liked. Perfection is unattainable, but we seek it anyway, especially when it comes to how we raise our kids and, sometimes, how we treat other people. 

Whom do you admire? 

MM: Mothers — in general. It’s an incredible experience, but it’s a tough job. I wish I’d understood that better early in my teaching career—back before I had kids of my own. It’s easy to be judgmental about parenting before you’ve walked that path yourself. I also admire teachers -- particularly those who are able to balance their career with their family life.

Whom do you think is the leader of the Bible study group? 

MM: I think we all have different strengths and lead in different ways.