|
Hearts and Humor Archives Index
|
Subscribe
|
|
| << July28, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - Bucket Full of Holes |
August06, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - The Best Move >> |
|
I LOVE YOU!! Great words, aren't they? What power they have! I'm sorry for the lack of a new story last weekend. I have been selfish. Ginny and I have time alone now, so I have been giving her my attention and ignoring you. Please for give me. Perhaps this story will explain it. I looked at the recorder Ginny gave me for Christmas last night. There are more than 30 recordings on it. This means I have a lot of wonderful things to share with you. Enjoy tonights story. This is the first draft and probably loaded with lots of errors. I'll clean it up later. You can be assured of one thing, this story has more heart than error in it. Just Three Words July 1, 2005, I met my grandchildren and my stepdaughter, Heather, for the first time. Ginny and I walked through the airport in Oklahoma. "There they are!" she said. "Where," I asked, looking around. "There!" Ginny pointed. I saw a beautiful young lady and two boys - ages four and five. They were the oldest of three. The youngest, Benny, was two and at home with Sonia, his other grandma. They stood staring at me. Heather and Ginny hugged. Ginny turned to the boys and opened her arms, "Joshie! Seth Man! I missed you!" They ran into her arms. It had been almost a year since they'd seen their Gingin. Her hugs were needed. Grandmother hugs are the best. Ginny stood. Heather and the boys stared at me. I was the unknown. Ginny and I met and fell in love alone. We married simply. Ginny has not met any of my family. I had not met hers. We knew it was right for us. Our spouses became angels. We lived on earth. I believe our angels brought us together. Ginny introduced me to her daughter. Heather was polite, but I could sense the doubt. "Who is this man replacing her dad? " She didn't know. Her dad was angel. I wasn't replacing him. I was just a man who loved her mom. Ginny introduced me to Joshie and Seth. They stared at me. The look in their eyes said it all, "Is that my new Pappa?" We shared hugs and went back to their house, where I met Benny and his other grandma - Sonia. Benny was the youngest of the three and even more afraid of me. The next day, the oldest boys were doing flips over my lap and laughing. Benny hugged Sonia, still scared of me. The following day, we packed the kids in the car and headed for Jersey. A year later, I sit here and write this story. My life changed. My house was full of breakable and memorable things. In a few weeks they were gone. I hid them in closets. I hid them everywhere. Our bedroom became a storage room. There are only so many times you can tell a child not to touch something pretty, before you realize, they can't help it. I put it all away. Ginny and I would spend an hour or two talking or reading when I came home from work. That disappeared. I'd come home, Ginny and I would try to sit and talk, and would be interrupted by one of our grandchildren. Life changed. The quiet time we knew was gone. Two weeks ago, Heather and the boys left on a new adventure. The boys went to visit their dad for a few months, and will join their mom in Idaho soon after. Our house is empty. We have our life again - or do we? They were up at 5 AM for their trip to their dad. Their bags were packed and loaded in the car. I got up to see them off. We grabbed the last of their stuff, clamored down the steps and opened the car doors. Benny and Seth jumped right in, excited about the trip and seeing their dad. I gave them the best hugs I could, considering they were in such a hurry. Tears began to form in my eyes. They'd been a thorn in my foot, but I'd grown used to those thorns. I buckled Benny in his car seat, stood, and heard, "Pappa Mike! I love you!" There stood Joshie. He'd made his way around the back of the car and stood staring at me. "I love you too, Joshie," I said. Big tears began to flow from my eyes. "I love you too, buddy. I'll miss you. Be a good boy for your daddy." The car pulled away. They were gone. I came into the house and looked around. There were a few small toys scattered about. I saw a plastic block in a corner. In the kitchen, I saw a pack of Crayons. Behind the sofa, was a cart of Lagosİ. My shelves were bare of trinkets. put away long ago for safety. The house was empty, but memories were all around. A few days later, I sat in the living room and noticed the scratch marks on my teak coffee table. They were the marks from a "Bob the Builder" plastic saw. I remembered seeing those marks the first time and being angry. I thought of all the breakables, hidden in closet. Memories of a broken lamp, stomping feet, yelling, screaming, crying, interrupted conversations, and spilled drinks and food all flashed through my mind. It was a rough time for me. I had a hard time adjusting. A little boy walked around the back of the car and said, "I LOVE YOU!" Just three words - I LOVE YOU! All the stress, cries, scratches on tables, stains on carpets, table clothes cut with scissors, screams, nicks, marks, stress, and broken furniture, were forgiven. It took just three words. Three words said with meaning - I LOVE YOU! That's all it takes, just three words. I LOVE YOU! Michael T. Smith Share my stories, but please leave my link for more people sign up for my stories. To read my stories or to sign up for my weekly posts, go to: http://archives.zinester.com/86758/ I love your comments. Please send them to mtsmith@qwestonline.com Here are some wonderful somments from the past week. Many of them refer to my childrens' poem. I can't thank you enough. You people are so wonderful to take the time to say kind words about my writing. Mike See you soon. Keep on waving. I LOVE YOU (GREAT WORDS aren't they) Regarding my Tippy story Dear Michael, What a wonderful positive story. I sent it to my son to read to my two young grand-sons. Thanks. Peace&Love, Valerie ************** Regarding my story called "Bucket Full of Holes" Michael, This is so cute. I could just picture the illustrations to go with it. I think kids would love it. You chould make this one into a book, have you tried to get it published? You have great talent my friend. Patricia Pat, I did try a long time ago and had a few good responses. Maybe it is time to try again. Thank you Mike Keep on Wavin and never forget to say - I LOVE YOU **************** Dear Michael, I truly loved your children's story/poem about "Bucket Full of Holes", and as I re-read it for about the forth time, I was imagining what a delightful children's book it would make with colorful illustrations on each page. Your sense of rhyme and wonder are so well used, and I sincerely wish you would seriously look into finding someone to illustrate it and then locate a good publisher. It really is that superb! Your friend, Sandi ************* Dear Michael: Another great piece! I can just imagine what cute pictures could be included in your children's story. Keep up the great work, I so enjoy your stories! Love and hugs, Nancy ******************** |
|
| << July28, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - Bucket Full of Holes |
August06, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - The Best Move >> |
|
Hearts and Humor Archives Index
|
Subscribe
|
|
|
Archives powered by Zinester's Mailing List Service
Details on Hearts and Humor |
Browse for more newsletters at Zinester's Ezine Directory
Managed by Zinester's Mailing List Management |