Do you know any chronic complainers, those people who are convinced the world is out to get them? They often blame their miseries on an unhappy childhood.

Growing older and somewhat wiser, I make an effort to replace complaining by looking for the good in every situation. When I get anxious or tangled up with worry, I try to step back and let things right themselves. They automatically do.

I’ll use one day last week to demonstrate how simply expecting good outcomes attracts those to us who can help, such as Physician’s Assistant DEBORAH BIBBY. I was immediately impressed with her manner, thoroughness and how she made me feel like her most important patient.

After my appointment, I went to Whidbey General Hospital where I met another highly-skilled professional named ANN MERRIMAN in the radiology department. She explained how images that might have appeared murky on an X-ray would be crystal clear through the CAT scan. She was friendly and didn’t mind my joking with her when she asked, “Are you allergic to seafood?” and I replied, “Why? Do you have the stuff pumped in from Penn Cove?”

My day was going great until my car stalled as I pulled onto Main Street in Coupeville. I turned the key and the engine revved up and quit. I repeated the key/start/drive/quit process a few more times before my angel took over and my car glided into Coupeville Auto Repair on Coveland. I was glad to see owner MARTY ROBINETTE. He has helped me out of a tight spot before.

When Marty asked, “Do you need a ride home? I can take you,” I glanced at the vehicles stacked up outside and said, “From the looks of things, you’ll be here all night fixing these cars. I’ll call a friend.”

Just then, customer AL MONTANO folded up his receipt and was about to leave. It was getting late and I’m sure he just wanted to get home and have dinner.

I took a chance and asked if he was going to Oak Harbor. “No, we just came from there,” he said, “we’re on our way home to Greenbank.” Then in the next breath he offered, “Where do you want to go? We’ll take you there.”

The wind was getting colder as evening approached and the warmth of his car felt good. That’s when I met his friend CINDY APPLEGATE, an attractive blonde with bouncy, golden locks. He works construction for Waldron and she is a radiology technician at Whidbey General. As we drove for about 10 minutes to my house, I could tell they were crazy about each other. I was curious to know how they met. “Did you ask the universe for someone special?” I was close.

“One night I just said, ‘Send him to me.’ He was at my door in a matter of hours,’” Cindy replied.

This story reaffirms my belief that when you expect the best, you cannot help but attract it to you. Try it for yourself. When you believe, you’ll find wonderful things happen in your life on Whidbey

Keepers of the past …

The Daughters of the Pioneers called one of the members of the Neil Tower Preservation Association to request a tour of the Orren and Ruth Ward Museum, located in the base of the tower, which resides in a pocket park of the City of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Avenue.

First, the ladies lunched at nearby Flyers Restaurant. LYLA SNOVER made the arrangements; three Libbey sisters, LYLA, JANICE COFFMAN and MARILYN BAILEY, came; as did DARLENE LIBBEY of Burlington and HAZEL KNOX PILKINTON of Burlington.

Members of the association are always ready to show off the museum. They are HELEN CHATFIELD-WEEKS, JAN ELLIS, JOAN BROSNAHAN, DEE HARBOUR and NANCY TULL.

Think spring …

It’s only four months away. The American Cancer Society is already planning its Daffodil Days, March 19 and 20. An irresistible Boyd’s Bear named HUGH R. HOPE has been designed especially for the event and many volunteers will be needed.

Call Phoebe Hostick at 800-729-5588, Option 3, for information on local participation, or e-mail phoebe.hostick@cancer.org.

What better way to honor a family member or friend fighting cancer than through volunteering? Find out more at www.acsevents.org and leave your name. You may also call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

I’d love to hear from you. Send me your news at lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call me at 675-6611. See you on Nov. 15!