The Cake Mixer Mishap
Guideposts|October/November 2023
I should’ve listened to Mom
THERESE MARSZALEK
The Cake Mixer Mishap

Tom and I had been planning a road trip to visit family in Idaho for weeks. So why did I feel as if we should postpone? We’d already put off the trip once. We had a new car with good tires. What could go wrong? I ignored the feeling, and we started off for Idaho, some 1,400 miles away.

Two days later, we were stranded in a diner in Montana. It was only snowing lightly, but our new car had broken down. Now we were waiting for the tow truck. As Tom took our Yorkie outside for a walk, I found myself thinking about a day years before.

I was 13 back then, standing at the kitchen counter, my long hair hanging almost to my waist. I’d been craving a triple-layer chocolate layer cake all week. Now that it was Saturday, I was determined to make it. I laid out everything I would need. Measuring cups, spoons, bowls. Ingredients including butter, eggs and baking chocolate. And the electric mixer that would combine them into a smooth batter.

This story is from the October/November 2023 edition of Guideposts.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October/November 2023 edition of Guideposts.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GUIDEPOSTSView All
In the Everyday
Guideposts

In the Everyday

Cooking, cleaning, breaking up the kids’ fights... If only I had a few minutes for myself!

time-read
3 mins  |
June/July 2024
Worst-Case Scenario?
Guideposts

Worst-Case Scenario?

I’d had nagging injuries before and always recovered. Why wasn’t I confident that I would get better this time?

time-read
6 mins  |
June/July 2024
Honor Thy Son
Guideposts

Honor Thy Son

I was a Marine officer, a lifer—or so I thought. Then came Patrick

time-read
7 mins  |
June/July 2024
Keeping It Real
Guideposts

Keeping It Real

In an age of social media, we're experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. Two friends who met online tell you how to grow an authentic connection

time-read
6 mins  |
June/July 2024
What You Wish For
Guideposts

What You Wish For

She never wanted to see her abusive father again

time-read
7 mins  |
June/July 2024
God's Pillow
Guideposts

God's Pillow

In 2016, the Soberanes Fire in Northern California was the costliest ever in the United States. It almost cost me my life, despite the promise I made to my wife

time-read
7 mins  |
June/July 2024
"I Heard You Praying"
Guideposts

"I Heard You Praying"

As a hospital chaplain, I had seen hopeless cases. But never one more seemingly hopeless than this

time-read
5 mins  |
June/July 2024
"I Love You, Dad!"
Guideposts

"I Love You, Dad!"

Some of your favorite GUIDEPOSTS writers share what they learned from their fathers

time-read
6 mins  |
June/July 2024
Harold and Me
Guideposts

Harold and Me

They’re nearly all gone now, the generation we call The Greatest.” This woman’s mission was to honor one of them

time-read
7 mins  |
June/July 2024
The Race Before Her
Guideposts

The Race Before Her

For this Olympic champion, success bred her greatest fear. How five verses set her free

time-read
9 mins  |
June/July 2024