Marie Callenders and the Bakkers...THIS IS TRUE!!!

[DianeG5385]

Many years ago, like 1989 to be specific, I worked at an undisclosed location in Southern Calif(Torrance)and liked to eat lunch at a particular Marie Callenders. What's weird is I think the Bakkers were scheduled to appear on Larry King at that time as well, I think it was the night before (it's before Jim Bakker went to jail) so they were on my mind. They were also on my mind due to those occasional times I clicked on the PTL show and was taken aback by Tammy's tears. I remember at that time thinking, who the heck is this chick and what is her problem??? I am not an evangelical so I did not get it.

Well, back to lunch. One day as I sat at lunch, heavily pregnant, by the way, in trooped this family of four who sat at the booth across from me. What caused me to note them was that the kids were bickering and arguing with themselves and their parents. I thought the daughter was too precocious for her age.... I looked over and freaked!!! I maintained my attention to my salad but there they were... Jim, Tammy Faye and the two kids!!! sheesh!! They were white hot in the media at this time and there they were in the booth across from me being well, normal!!! Jim Bakker is VERY short but looked exactly like what I saw on TV. Tammy Faye definitely had the makeup thing going on but was not flamboyant, just a mom. My physical closeness to them and the fact that they were notorious at the time left an impression on me so I followed them over the years.

I remember being sad when Jim Bakker collapsed on his way to jail. (Oh, and by the way, just because I feel sympathy for what these folks went through doesn't make me a traitor to "the cause" so those absolutists out there save your ammunition for something meaningful). I have watched Tammy Faye's struggle with cancer and COURAGE, LOVE and FAITH are the words that come to mind. Her passing makes me sad. I think she was underestimated. Her son Jay, maybe he will be the redeemer. Note, I'm not a believer per se, I'm forever optimistic, however.

So that's my Tammy Faye story. I wish her family well.

[JeffR]

1. K & R

:kick:

[DianeG5385]

2. shameless bump

blimp!

[Spiffarino]

3. Bump seconded

My niece met Tammy Faye a few years ago at a restaurant where she waited tables. She found her to be very warm and genuine (and a decent tipper).

RIP, honey.

[Bjorn Against]

4. I spotted Tammy Faye once as well

Jim Bakker served prison time in my hometown of Rochester, MN and Tammy Faye would come to visit him. When I was about twelve years old or so my parents brought me to Pizza Hut for my birthday and Tammy Faye came in and sat at the table right across from ours.

[Zodiak]

5. After seeing Tammy on that Reality Show

I have changed my opinion of her. I do not think that she is a calculating swindler like her husband. She came across to me as a genuinely good person who might be a little naive, but that is about it.

I ceased saying anything bad about her after that. R.I.P.

[elehhhhna]

6. I always loved Tammy...watched PTL for the laughs but she got

under my skin. She was REAL. Eccentric enough to be interesting, but very, very sincere.