​

When I worked for government contractors, everything was a jumbled-up nightmare – or, in today's jargon, a hot mess. I started with Company 1, which was sold to Company 2. The contract ran out, and Company 3 won the new contract, except it turned out that they were owned by a Canadian company and could not work for the U. S. government. The contract then was awarded to Company 4. All this happened in the space of a little more than a year. 

​

It wasn't unusual to have to get up from my desk, walk to the restroom, and close myself in a stall to relax and unwind. On a particularly stressful day, I "slid into home base," as I called rushing into a stall, interlaced my fingers, and began to pray.

 

One day, I was greeted by a most welcome inner voice.

 

"Welcome to the old place," said My Dearly Heavenly Father.

"The old place?" I asked.

​

He reminded me of a scene from McMillan & Wife.(1) It seemed strange, for I had not seen an episode or thought about McMillan & Wife in several years, even though it had been one of my favorite television programs. 

 

An informant named Soup (Simmy Bow) left a message with Sally (Susan Saint James) for McMillan (Rock Hudson) to meet him at the old place. 

​

McMillan:  What old place?

Sally:  He said you'd know.

McMillan:  Would you know if someone asked you to meet them at the old place?

Sally:  Sure! Girl's john, third floor, across from the chemistry lab.

 

Well, guess where I was:  girl's john, third floor, across from the . . . equipment room. I laughed out loud – and the stress of the day was instantly relieved. 

​

So, next time stress gets you down, head to the old place. You'll be glad you did.

_______________

​

(1) “Husbands, Wives, and Killers” (Season 1, Episode 3), McMillan & Wife. Universal Television, Talent Associates, Talent Associates-Norton Simon, 1971.

​

​