The Second Chances in Life

 

                                   Jill Weatherholt

Do you believe in second chances? Can you recall a time in your life when someone gave you a second chance? Perhaps you made a mistake at your job, but your boss let it go. Maybe you wronged a friend, but she offered forgiveness. Life can be full of second chances.

Today, I thought I’d share a funny story about taking that second chance.

Many years ago, after my mother had spent the morning golfing with her friends, she shared a story.

It was a beautiful Tuesday morning—perfect for golf. She and three other women were playing their regularly scheduled weekly game. When they got to a par-3 hole (for you non-golfers, it means you have three shots to get the ball into the hole), and each woman took their turn.

The first woman hit her shot, landing it on the green. My mother and her other playing partner followed suit. Finally, the last woman in the foursome stepped up to the tee box. She took one practice swing and then another. After, she firmly planted her feet and addressed the ball to hit her first shot. She swung the club, striking the ball, resulting in a wild hook straight into the bushes. She proceeded to pull another ball from her bag and announced, “I’m going to hit again.” The rules of golf prohibit a player from hitting again without taking a penalty, but no one in the foursome spoke up.

She teed up her ball and readied herself to hit. Unlike the first shot, this time, the club made good contact. The ball soared toward the green. Everyone watched as the ball bounced onto the green and rolled straight into the hole.

My mother and her friends cheered, each congratulating her on a nice shot. The woman squealed and then proceeded to jump up and down, proclaiming she’d made a hole in one.

The three ladies looked at one another, confused. In golf, unlike life, there are no second chances. After a moment of silence, one lady spoke up. “That was your second shot, so it’s not a legitimate hole in one.”

Apparently, the woman believed she deserved a second chance. So, she took it. She marked her scorecard with a one and proceeded to the next hole.

Whenever the foursome reached that par three, in the numerous rounds of golf that followed that day, the woman would ask her friends, “Remember when I got that hole in one here?” My mother and her friends would smile.

In my current release, Searching for Home, you won’t find any reference to golf, but you will find my favorite trope. Perhaps it’s the romantic optimist in me, but I always enjoy writing a story that offers a second chance.

By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith, and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired.

Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia.

She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University.

She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard.

Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.

Visit:  https://jillweatherholt.com/