Rita's Reflections: Blessed to work with Pastor Bill

Laurie Notaro, a comical female author, explained how she encouraged (bribed) her visiting nephews to eat their veggies. She devised the “Lucky Hair Game.” Whoever found a dog hair in their food got an extra scoop of ice cream. We'd run out of ice cream fast at our house. Evidently, the game got quite competitive as the losing child would bemoan, “Aww, I didn’t get the lucky dog hair.” My grandkids are smarter than that. They would plant the evidence.

While on the topic of dog hair in food, I’m suddenly sad thinking about the day I broke an irreplaceable mug. It was green and white with black dog paw prints with the words, “Everything tastes better with dog hair.” The mug was a testament to how well the Rev. William T. Kreichbaum knew me and how much I love dogs, especially pugs. Over the years, Pastor Bill gave me a pug clock, a pug picture frame, a pug ornament and a pug pillow. He also gave me a whole lot of spiritual inspiration.

Most significant things for me happen for a reason, a season or a just a moment in time. The best things often come out of the blue. This was one of those times. I was the secretary at the former First UMC, now Faith UMC, when Marguerite White, from the now closed Calvary UMC, called and asked if I would put an announcement in the Sunday bulletin that Calvary was looking for a part-time office assistant. Instead of saying what I had intended, "I would be glad to," suddenly my lips were moving and I said, “I might be interested in that.” Say whaaat? I accepted the position soon after meeting Marguerite and Pastor Bill. I am so grateful for what I call my God nudges. They keep the devil from smacking me around.

I was blessed to be Pastor Bill’s office assistant for 13 years. He's is a stickler for detail, as am I. And like my dad, Pastor Bill is a "what you see is what you get" kind of guy, a trait I greatly admire and try to emulate. I like keeping it real and appreciate others who do as well.

Pastor Bill preaches from the heart – never from notes. He is a fun and engaging speaker and always seems to know just what to say. Pastor Bill was my confidante many times. He was a father figure, big brother and fun uncle all rolled into one. Countless times, he was a balm for my weary soul. As a former Army chaplain, I am sure he was a comforting presence while serving our country. No doubt about it, Pastor Bill is a classy guy in every situation he is faced with. An honest man full of integrity usually is.

Pastor Bill and his wife, Cindy, had just celebrated a wedding anniversary shortly before Cindy passed unexpectedly. Cindy had great style, and I know she had a hand in picking out some of the beautiful gifts Pastor Bill showered me with over the years. Many times, Cindy and their daughter, Amy, would come to the office with Pastor Bill. Cindy was always ready with a story to tell. She had a great gift for gab, and I often got behind in my work while talking with her. Cindy will be greatly missed.

I cherish the words Pastor Bill wrote in one of my Christmas cards one year, that I was the best administrative assistant he ever had, private or civilian. It was especially meaningful as I was self-trained and still learning when we met. I had to brush up on my typing skills and learn to do things I never did before. Pastor Bill wrote in another greeting card that I made coming to work a joy for him. It goes without saying on my end: Ditto, my friend. Ditto.

Rita Wyatt Zorn is a wife, mother, grandmother and lifetime Monroe County resident. She can be reached at 7.noniez@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Rita Wyatt Zorn: Blessed to work with Pastor Bill