Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Christmas Dinner for Mister Poe Sam - Installment Three
Chapter Three
For an opossum it is always a good idea to keep humans at a safe distance
Poe-Sam was startled from his thoughts by a large shadow in the window… it was the little girl, McLean! Then her father and then her mother! They were looking at him! He had been discovered!
Mr. Poe-Sam darted underneath a hedge then worked his way back to the safety of the thick woods traveling in the shadows.
“Daddy,” McLean remarked “wasn’t that the cutest little opossum! Did you see how he was staring at the Christmas tree?”
“It was almost as if he wanted to join us.” Mom said softly.
For opossums, it is always a good idea to keep people at a safe distance. So after that incident Mr. Poe-Sam did not venture out of the thick wood for several days. But eventually he found himself drawn back to the munchy morsels of cat food and the warmth of a little girl and her family.
McLean and Mr. Poe-Sam would soon have another encounter.
It was an especially cold night. In the fireplace was a blazing fire, the Christmas tree glowed with soft red and green lights.
McLean and her family sat drinking cups of hot cocoa as Dad read a story aloud.
Like a moth to a flame, Poe-Sam was drawn to the scene. As Dad read, Mommy and McLean sat captivated, staring off at the pictures in their minds.
Mr. Poe-Sam had to get closer. He quietly climbed onto the windowsill where he could feel the heat of the fire and could hear Dad speak in muffled tones…
“…for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ, the Lord!”
Poe-Sam sat through the entire story until Dad said, “…and that is the real story of Christmas! God gave His only Son, Jesus as a gift to us – that’s why we share gifts to celebrate the Christmas season.”
By then, McLean had noticed the visitor on the window ledge. She quietly made her way toward him.
Poe-Sam – again deep in thought – gasped as he looked up right into the eyes of a human!
For opossums, it is always a good idea to keep humans at a safe distance and never to look them in the eyes! But this human’s eyes were soft, even loving. For a moment, Poe-Sam had that “belonging” feeling; the kind he felt when Cedric was around. Poe-Sam lingered as long as he would dare then rushed to the safety of the hedge. But before he made his way back to the thick wood, he turned for one last look at the little girl with the loving eyes.
Poe-Sam headed for the woods feeling all wonderful inside. He thought about how good he would rest in his bed of moss. But his happy thoughts were interrupted by a shrieking - “CAW!”.
In the trees above him and hidden in the darkness was old K. Row. “Where are you going in such a hurry, you little – “Caw! Hey! What’s that noise? …. Hey-Hey Poe-Sam! I think I heard something!”
“ It sounds like… “
“Yeah! It sounds like a –a OPOSSUM crying!…” “Caw! – I think it’s little Cedric. “
“Caw!”… “Wha - nope… just the wind whistling…Caw-HAW-HAW!”
Poe-Sam could see the flash of the raggedy bird’s black eyes as he laughed brutally.
Poe-Sam wandered to his den to cry himself to sleep.
For several nights after that, Mr. Poe-Sam returned to the people house where McLean lived. He hoped to hear the story again and maybe to see McLean, but each night he found the house was dark and silent.
Poe-Sam began to worry for the little family. But what Mr. Poe-Sam didn’t know was that McLean and her family had suddenly become very busy!
Mr. Poe-Sam darted underneath a hedge then worked his way back to the safety of the thick woods traveling in the shadows.
“Daddy,” McLean remarked “wasn’t that the cutest little opossum! Did you see how he was staring at the Christmas tree?”
“It was almost as if he wanted to join us.” Mom said softly.
For opossums, it is always a good idea to keep people at a safe distance. So after that incident Mr. Poe-Sam did not venture out of the thick wood for several days. But eventually he found himself drawn back to the munchy morsels of cat food and the warmth of a little girl and her family.
McLean and Mr. Poe-Sam would soon have another encounter.
It was an especially cold night. In the fireplace was a blazing fire, the Christmas tree glowed with soft red and green lights.
McLean and her family sat drinking cups of hot cocoa as Dad read a story aloud.
Like a moth to a flame, Poe-Sam was drawn to the scene. As Dad read, Mommy and McLean sat captivated, staring off at the pictures in their minds.
Mr. Poe-Sam had to get closer. He quietly climbed onto the windowsill where he could feel the heat of the fire and could hear Dad speak in muffled tones…
“…for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ, the Lord!”
Poe-Sam sat through the entire story until Dad said, “…and that is the real story of Christmas! God gave His only Son, Jesus as a gift to us – that’s why we share gifts to celebrate the Christmas season.”
By then, McLean had noticed the visitor on the window ledge. She quietly made her way toward him.
Poe-Sam – again deep in thought – gasped as he looked up right into the eyes of a human!
For opossums, it is always a good idea to keep humans at a safe distance and never to look them in the eyes! But this human’s eyes were soft, even loving. For a moment, Poe-Sam had that “belonging” feeling; the kind he felt when Cedric was around. Poe-Sam lingered as long as he would dare then rushed to the safety of the hedge. But before he made his way back to the thick wood, he turned for one last look at the little girl with the loving eyes.
Poe-Sam headed for the woods feeling all wonderful inside. He thought about how good he would rest in his bed of moss. But his happy thoughts were interrupted by a shrieking - “CAW!”.
In the trees above him and hidden in the darkness was old K. Row. “Where are you going in such a hurry, you little – “Caw! Hey! What’s that noise? …. Hey-Hey Poe-Sam! I think I heard something!”
“ It sounds like… “
“Yeah! It sounds like a –a OPOSSUM crying!…” “Caw! – I think it’s little Cedric. “
“Caw!”… “Wha - nope… just the wind whistling…Caw-HAW-HAW!”
Poe-Sam could see the flash of the raggedy bird’s black eyes as he laughed brutally.
Poe-Sam wandered to his den to cry himself to sleep.
For several nights after that, Mr. Poe-Sam returned to the people house where McLean lived. He hoped to hear the story again and maybe to see McLean, but each night he found the house was dark and silent.
Poe-Sam began to worry for the little family. But what Mr. Poe-Sam didn’t know was that McLean and her family had suddenly become very busy!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A Christmas Dinner for Mister Poe-Sam -Installment Two
Chapter Two
A quiet cat named, Shank and the people house
A little girl named McLean lived in this house.
It was a fine home, with large picture windows and a warm rock fireplace.
On many occasions, Mr. Poe-Sam would eat his fill of cat food as the quiet cat named “Shank” would watch.
It should be noted here that ordinarily, cats are not very friendly to opossums and can do great damage with their sharp teeth and claws.
Shank, however, was different. He was not particularly friendly, but he wasn’t naughty to Mr. Poe-Sam either. In fact, Shank couldn’t quite seem to figure out this strange animal, so he would just sit and watch as Poe-Sam sampled his dinner.
After a few moments, Poe-Sam would nod a “thank-you” to the soft, black and white cat and work his way to one of the picture windows to watch the people inside.
At times, when the weather was very cold, the people in McLean’s house would not only have a fire in the fireplace, but also a beautiful green tree filled with colorful lights. The people always seemed especially joyful on those occasions. They would sing and laugh. McLean’s mother and father always seemed to be focused intently on her. How bright and warm everything appeared.
Talk in the thick woods was that this season was called Christmas. It was a special time for all people. They celebrated as they remembered that God had come to earth to share His love and give His life for them. Because of the great love of the season, the people often gave gifts to one another. In fact, it was said that sometimes even the animals could feel the difference of the season.
The Christmastime was approaching. Poe-Sam knew, because the nights came so early now and the air grew so cold.
The silver opossum gingerly made his way toward the people house where McLean and Shank lived. Along the way he found the corner of a wonderful cookie with green sugar sprinkles on it.
“What a treasure!” he thought. So he stopped a few moments to enjoy the snack.
Next, he sniffed around the people house until he found Shank’s bowl of cat food. Shank was enjoying supper but he stepped aside to let Poe-Sam nibble a few moments.
Just then something caught Poe-Sam’s eye.
A flash of light? No, more like a glare or something glistening!
It had come from the large window at the back of McLean’s house. Poe-Sam peered inside.
It was the tree!
“I knew it!” he said, “I knew it must be that time again!”
Shank had turned his attention back to his unoccupied bowl of cat food. Mr. Poe-Sam just watched the warm smiles of the little family as they gently placed the precious shiny objects on the tree.
Mr. Poe-Sam was mesmerized. For quite some time, he stared at the shimmering gold and silver tinsel and decorations. He thought of the happy family, just inside the house and he remembered his little brother. He remembered how they played together, laughingly chasing one another through the trees of the thick wood. Around and around they would go, stopping only long enough to munch on a few acorns.
How he missed Cedric.
Poe-Sam was startled from his thoughts by a large shadow in the window… it was McLean! Then her father and then her mother! They were looking at him! He had been discovered!
It was a fine home, with large picture windows and a warm rock fireplace.
On many occasions, Mr. Poe-Sam would eat his fill of cat food as the quiet cat named “Shank” would watch.
It should be noted here that ordinarily, cats are not very friendly to opossums and can do great damage with their sharp teeth and claws.
Shank, however, was different. He was not particularly friendly, but he wasn’t naughty to Mr. Poe-Sam either. In fact, Shank couldn’t quite seem to figure out this strange animal, so he would just sit and watch as Poe-Sam sampled his dinner.
After a few moments, Poe-Sam would nod a “thank-you” to the soft, black and white cat and work his way to one of the picture windows to watch the people inside.
At times, when the weather was very cold, the people in McLean’s house would not only have a fire in the fireplace, but also a beautiful green tree filled with colorful lights. The people always seemed especially joyful on those occasions. They would sing and laugh. McLean’s mother and father always seemed to be focused intently on her. How bright and warm everything appeared.
Talk in the thick woods was that this season was called Christmas. It was a special time for all people. They celebrated as they remembered that God had come to earth to share His love and give His life for them. Because of the great love of the season, the people often gave gifts to one another. In fact, it was said that sometimes even the animals could feel the difference of the season.
The Christmastime was approaching. Poe-Sam knew, because the nights came so early now and the air grew so cold.
The silver opossum gingerly made his way toward the people house where McLean and Shank lived. Along the way he found the corner of a wonderful cookie with green sugar sprinkles on it.
“What a treasure!” he thought. So he stopped a few moments to enjoy the snack.
Next, he sniffed around the people house until he found Shank’s bowl of cat food. Shank was enjoying supper but he stepped aside to let Poe-Sam nibble a few moments.
Just then something caught Poe-Sam’s eye.
A flash of light? No, more like a glare or something glistening!
It had come from the large window at the back of McLean’s house. Poe-Sam peered inside.
It was the tree!
“I knew it!” he said, “I knew it must be that time again!”
Shank had turned his attention back to his unoccupied bowl of cat food. Mr. Poe-Sam just watched the warm smiles of the little family as they gently placed the precious shiny objects on the tree.
Mr. Poe-Sam was mesmerized. For quite some time, he stared at the shimmering gold and silver tinsel and decorations. He thought of the happy family, just inside the house and he remembered his little brother. He remembered how they played together, laughingly chasing one another through the trees of the thick wood. Around and around they would go, stopping only long enough to munch on a few acorns.
How he missed Cedric.
Poe-Sam was startled from his thoughts by a large shadow in the window… it was McLean! Then her father and then her mother! They were looking at him! He had been discovered!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Any Ideas?
Okay I am working on an idea for a story for our kids for Christmas and I need your help.
I am trying to come up with a 21st century, Southeastern United States of America - version of a shepherd.
Any ideas?
I thought about using over-the-road tractor-trailer drivers:
"And there were in the same country - at a nearby rest area - over-the-road drivers, lying in their sleeper cabs, keeping watch over their freight by night...."
How's that?
I also thought of using deer-hunters in the place of shepherds:
"And there were in the woods nearby, deer hunters sitting in their tree stands, keeping watch over the woods by night - with a spotlight -oops, I think that's illegal!. . . "
No the whole thing just breaks down when you have them working at night.
I could use coon-hunters instead:
"...and suddenly there was with the Angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and yelling WHOOO-WEEEEEEEEEEE! Sic-em!..."
My only experience with working the graveyard shift for any extended period of time was during my stint as a short-order cook at the now defunct, Sambo's. Somehow 'keeping watch by night, over one's burgers, bacon, cakes and hash browns on the grill' - just doesn't seem to hold with the nurturing responsibility of shepherding.
Well, I am sure by now you have come up with something to grease the proverbial wheels of my twisted sense of creativity.
Please feel free to comment with the assurance that your ideas will be considered in the most non-judgmental ways.
While none of my ideas seem to quite measure up to the shadow cast by middle-eastern shepherds, they were just simple, common folks.
Isn't it amazing that God sought them out first to tell them the story of His Son's birth?
King Herod didn't find out for months and then he got his news from some distant travelers, not from personal couriers.
Perhaps He told the shepherds first because He always knew where He could find them. No matter what: day or night, rain or shine - they'd be out there with their sheep, watching over them.
Or maybe it was because this loyal fraternity had as their iconoclast - the noble shepherd king, King David - the "man after God's own heart"! Surely they would listen.
He may have just known the dedication of their hearts - that they were not men capable of just rolling over and going back to sleep when heaven spoke.
For whatever reason, God chose these "salt of the earth" types to be in on the secret and to be the first ambassadors for Christ.
He still musters those types into His service today - folks just doing their jobs day in and day out. Guys who don't throw up their hands and quit when things get mundane. Mom's who, when awakened in the night, don't wait around to see who will get up first to check on that calling child.
At times, I believe that in the middle of what seems to be absolutely unimportant. Heaven can come near and God can speak that which is eternally important.
No wonder it's hard to find the equivalent of a shepherd today.
I am trying to come up with a 21st century, Southeastern United States of America - version of a shepherd.
Any ideas?
I thought about using over-the-road tractor-trailer drivers:
"And there were in the same country - at a nearby rest area - over-the-road drivers, lying in their sleeper cabs, keeping watch over their freight by night...."
How's that?
I also thought of using deer-hunters in the place of shepherds:
"And there were in the woods nearby, deer hunters sitting in their tree stands, keeping watch over the woods by night - with a spotlight -oops, I think that's illegal!. . . "
No the whole thing just breaks down when you have them working at night.
I could use coon-hunters instead:
"...and suddenly there was with the Angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and yelling WHOOO-WEEEEEEEEEEE! Sic-em!..."
My only experience with working the graveyard shift for any extended period of time was during my stint as a short-order cook at the now defunct, Sambo's. Somehow 'keeping watch by night, over one's burgers, bacon, cakes and hash browns on the grill' - just doesn't seem to hold with the nurturing responsibility of shepherding.
Well, I am sure by now you have come up with something to grease the proverbial wheels of my twisted sense of creativity.
Please feel free to comment with the assurance that your ideas will be considered in the most non-judgmental ways.
While none of my ideas seem to quite measure up to the shadow cast by middle-eastern shepherds, they were just simple, common folks.
Isn't it amazing that God sought them out first to tell them the story of His Son's birth?
King Herod didn't find out for months and then he got his news from some distant travelers, not from personal couriers.
Perhaps He told the shepherds first because He always knew where He could find them. No matter what: day or night, rain or shine - they'd be out there with their sheep, watching over them.
Or maybe it was because this loyal fraternity had as their iconoclast - the noble shepherd king, King David - the "man after God's own heart"! Surely they would listen.
He may have just known the dedication of their hearts - that they were not men capable of just rolling over and going back to sleep when heaven spoke.
For whatever reason, God chose these "salt of the earth" types to be in on the secret and to be the first ambassadors for Christ.
He still musters those types into His service today - folks just doing their jobs day in and day out. Guys who don't throw up their hands and quit when things get mundane. Mom's who, when awakened in the night, don't wait around to see who will get up first to check on that calling child.
At times, I believe that in the middle of what seems to be absolutely unimportant. Heaven can come near and God can speak that which is eternally important.
No wonder it's hard to find the equivalent of a shepherd today.
A Christmas Dinner for Mister Poe-Sam - Installment One
Chapter One
The fateful night
The harsh December wind blew the limbs of the trees back and forth casting strange shadows in the twilight. Soon the darkness of night would ascend. The small fuzzy opossum lumbered down the tree in which he had spent the better part of the day and scurried about to make his nightly rounds.
Each night he would leave the thick wood and climb up the hill, to the narrow road. Crossing the road with great caution, he would then wander around the people houses in search of food.
On this particular night, upon reaching the top of the hill he was startled by a screeching “Caw!Caw!”.
It was K. Row, the wiry old crow that acted as a lookout for this section of the thick wood.
“Caw! Where are you going, little Poe-Sam? Are you looking for your brother? Caw –Ha-Ha Haw Haw!”.
The little opossum acted as if he did not hear him. K.Row was a mischievous sort and Poe-Sam had learned long ago that it was better to just ignore him. The ugly old bird loved to make fun of other animals. When Poe-Sam would pay him no mind, he would seem to quickly tire of his games.
On this night, however, he was especially persistent.
“Poe-Sam, I think I saw your little brother yesterday…”
Poe-Sam’s ears perked up and for the first time he acknowledged the old crow. “Y-you did?” he meekly inquired.
“Sure, he was hanging around in a tree!” K.Row gave a rye smile, “he seemed so peaceful, I thought he was sleeping.”
“Where? What tree? When was that?! Is he still there – ” Poe-Sam was getting hopeful so K. Row cut in. “-Yeah but I was mistaken…it was just an old wasp nest…hee-hee... haw!HAW!Caw!Caw!”
The greasy black bird was still laughing as he flew away. Poe-Sam’s eyes got blurry as they filled with tears. How he missed his little brother.
It was here, near the road that he had lost him long ago.
Sadly, Poe-Sam called to mind that fateful night:
It had been a blustery night and so dark… there was hardly any moonlight. Poe-Sam and his brother, Cedric were going up to the people houses to find food and to watch in the windows as the people sang and laughed around their warm fireplaces. Cedric was very excited and full of questions. “Do you think the people will sing tonight, Poe-Sam?”... “Why do they laugh so?”... “What do you think they will sing?”.
On that particular night, Poe-Sam had not been listening instead he was watching the dark gray clouds churning above him. It looked like a storm was brewing.
As they climbed the hill a soft slush began to fall from the sky. It grew colder and ice began to form on Poe-Sam’s whiskers. The situation became more desperate, as they carefully crossed the road. Cedric’s questions stopped. They both were very concerned about the situation. “Poe-Sam… I’m frightened,” he said, “let’s go back.”
Poe-Sam agreed but as they turned back, the slush and snow had accumulated on the ground and hampered their travels. In fact, a couple of times, little Cedric completely disappeared in the drifts of snow.
Then it happened. Poe-Sam would never forget.
As they finally reached the road, they were so concerned with their struggles that they never heard the roar of the oncoming car – that is not until they found themselves momentarily blinded by the bright headlights.
In their confusion, the two fuzzy little animals scurried in opposite directions. The huge machine tried to stop but only skidded on the solid ice that now encrusted the road.
The automobile lurched sideways and barreled toward them! Poe-Sam tried to reach out to his frightened little brother but he was too far away!
He saw the huge shining wheel as it passed between he and his brother. Then he heard the deafening thunder of the engine as the automobile slid over the top of him.
And he was unhurt.
Fortunately, he had been so near the ground that the machine had not hit him.
Cedric, however, was nowhere to be found.
The automobile had rumbled off the road and down the hill. The people emerged, excited but unharmed.
Poe-Sam had quickly scurried away to hide under some dry leaves until the people finally went away. Then he searched all night for his brother.
He never found him.
That is the reason K. Row’s little trick had seemed so cruel.
Mr. Poe-Sam swallowed back his tears and pressed on.
He lumbered across the road and up the path to his favorite people-house.
Each night he would leave the thick wood and climb up the hill, to the narrow road. Crossing the road with great caution, he would then wander around the people houses in search of food.
On this particular night, upon reaching the top of the hill he was startled by a screeching “Caw!Caw!”.
It was K. Row, the wiry old crow that acted as a lookout for this section of the thick wood.
“Caw! Where are you going, little Poe-Sam? Are you looking for your brother? Caw –Ha-Ha Haw Haw!”.
The little opossum acted as if he did not hear him. K.Row was a mischievous sort and Poe-Sam had learned long ago that it was better to just ignore him. The ugly old bird loved to make fun of other animals. When Poe-Sam would pay him no mind, he would seem to quickly tire of his games.
On this night, however, he was especially persistent.
“Poe-Sam, I think I saw your little brother yesterday…”
Poe-Sam’s ears perked up and for the first time he acknowledged the old crow. “Y-you did?” he meekly inquired.
“Sure, he was hanging around in a tree!” K.Row gave a rye smile, “he seemed so peaceful, I thought he was sleeping.”
“Where? What tree? When was that?! Is he still there – ” Poe-Sam was getting hopeful so K. Row cut in. “-Yeah but I was mistaken…it was just an old wasp nest…hee-hee... haw!HAW!Caw!Caw!”
The greasy black bird was still laughing as he flew away. Poe-Sam’s eyes got blurry as they filled with tears. How he missed his little brother.
It was here, near the road that he had lost him long ago.
Sadly, Poe-Sam called to mind that fateful night:
It had been a blustery night and so dark… there was hardly any moonlight. Poe-Sam and his brother, Cedric were going up to the people houses to find food and to watch in the windows as the people sang and laughed around their warm fireplaces. Cedric was very excited and full of questions. “Do you think the people will sing tonight, Poe-Sam?”... “Why do they laugh so?”... “What do you think they will sing?”.
On that particular night, Poe-Sam had not been listening instead he was watching the dark gray clouds churning above him. It looked like a storm was brewing.
As they climbed the hill a soft slush began to fall from the sky. It grew colder and ice began to form on Poe-Sam’s whiskers. The situation became more desperate, as they carefully crossed the road. Cedric’s questions stopped. They both were very concerned about the situation. “Poe-Sam… I’m frightened,” he said, “let’s go back.”
Poe-Sam agreed but as they turned back, the slush and snow had accumulated on the ground and hampered their travels. In fact, a couple of times, little Cedric completely disappeared in the drifts of snow.
Then it happened. Poe-Sam would never forget.
As they finally reached the road, they were so concerned with their struggles that they never heard the roar of the oncoming car – that is not until they found themselves momentarily blinded by the bright headlights.
In their confusion, the two fuzzy little animals scurried in opposite directions. The huge machine tried to stop but only skidded on the solid ice that now encrusted the road.
The automobile lurched sideways and barreled toward them! Poe-Sam tried to reach out to his frightened little brother but he was too far away!
He saw the huge shining wheel as it passed between he and his brother. Then he heard the deafening thunder of the engine as the automobile slid over the top of him.
And he was unhurt.
Fortunately, he had been so near the ground that the machine had not hit him.
Cedric, however, was nowhere to be found.
The automobile had rumbled off the road and down the hill. The people emerged, excited but unharmed.
Poe-Sam had quickly scurried away to hide under some dry leaves until the people finally went away. Then he searched all night for his brother.
He never found him.
That is the reason K. Row’s little trick had seemed so cruel.
Mr. Poe-Sam swallowed back his tears and pressed on.
He lumbered across the road and up the path to his favorite people-house.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Christmas Story
Over the next week or so, I will be publishing a Christmas story on this blog in seven installments.
On Ab's second Christmas, I wrote a little story about an opossum (around here we call them "Possums" and sometimes we call them "dinner") named Poe-Sam.
After feeling particularly inspired on Ab's first and second Christmases to write children's stories, I had ambitions of writing stories for each holiday. When the inspiration did not seem to keep up with my aspirations, I decided to try and write a story each Christmas.
When AA came along the next Christmas, my energy and inspiration - and quiet time were all dissipating fast! Since then, my stories have been on a "hit and miss" basis.
I believe God allowed me (and blessed me)to write the good ones. I can define them as "good" when I read them later and think - "how did I come up with that?"
Anyway, I hope you like A Christmas Dinner for Mister Poe Sam. If you want to let your kids read it, I think it will be okay - one objective of mine is to never include anything here I wouldn't want my kids to read.
Installment One begins tomorrow, the others will follow over the next week or so.
Merry Christmas.
On Ab's second Christmas, I wrote a little story about an opossum (around here we call them "Possums" and sometimes we call them "dinner") named Poe-Sam.
After feeling particularly inspired on Ab's first and second Christmases to write children's stories, I had ambitions of writing stories for each holiday. When the inspiration did not seem to keep up with my aspirations, I decided to try and write a story each Christmas.
When AA came along the next Christmas, my energy and inspiration - and quiet time were all dissipating fast! Since then, my stories have been on a "hit and miss" basis.
I believe God allowed me (and blessed me)to write the good ones. I can define them as "good" when I read them later and think - "how did I come up with that?"
Anyway, I hope you like A Christmas Dinner for Mister Poe Sam. If you want to let your kids read it, I think it will be okay - one objective of mine is to never include anything here I wouldn't want my kids to read.
Installment One begins tomorrow, the others will follow over the next week or so.
Merry Christmas.
Do Ya' Like Her?
Comfortable.
In this post, I will take a brief break from my holiday musings to go "personal".
As I was saying ... "Comfortable."
That was one of the benchmarks of our relationship in its early days. We were comfortable together. I have a scene, permanently engraved in my mind. . .
It was a Friday evening in the Fall, and she was coming home for the weekend, but I don't think we had exactly made plans together.
My older brother and I were in our paint store - no customers, of course - just us. We were doing what we did a lot in those days of little success and burgeoning hopes - we were entertaining one another.
Suddenly she seemed to just appear at the front window of the store.
I still remember the thrill of just seeing her. She really looked good in sweats ... she still does... and she made me feel comfortable.
I had so hoped she would "just happen by" that day and there she was - doing just what I had hoped she would do. She did that a lot in those days.
"I don't wanna' know if you love her..." Jimmy Stewart said to his daughter's suitor in the movie, Shenandoah, ... "I wanna' know if you like her!"
I can tell you that I liked her in those early days.
Now the first few times we met, she was quiet and reserved, uninterested it seemed and she had a boy-haircut. . . even then, I liked her okay. But several years later on a Sunday night with a bunch of church folks in a Chinese restaurant - a spark began in me. And I liked her!
I believe letters are the preferred means of communication between young people in love (and those on their way). Our relationship began in earnest, with letters. She sent a birthday card. I responded with another card and soon we were writing constantly.
For the better part of that summer, we communicated by letters; she was in school about an hour or so away. There were a few friendly phone calls and we got together a few times, but always with other people around.
Somehow we worked around to our first official date by September.
In the wee hours of the morning, following a Thanksgiving Day with my family, as we stood in the cold, in her parents' driveway - I confessed my love.
It was in a letter the next week, that she confirmed her love.
As I write this, I honestly still get butterflies.
By the next Holiday season we were planning for a big event.
Today we enter our third decade of marriage. I can truly say that I am most comfortable when she is near. There is no one that I had rather just spend time with than her (and our children).
I could go on and tell you how much I admire her. I could talk about the way she encourages me (and others). I could tell you how consistent and diligent she is. I could describe her ageless beauty that still makes me wonder how I snagged such a catch! I could point out her tireless pursuit of order in our home. I could tell you how she is just one of those people you want on your team, no matter what you're doing.
Let me just sum up with this; in contemplating the event of our 20th wedding anniversary, I asked myself the question: If I had it all to do over again, would I still want to be married to her?
Yes.
I wouldn't change a thing. Sure there were pits, valleys, skirmishes and some real shaky moments - but even those somehow brought us to places of redemption.
R. - I would still choose you.
I like you.
I love you.
Happy anniversary!
-D.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)