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| << April11, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Beware The Neighbor |
April22, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - FEATHERED FIDELITY >> |
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Hi, Gang! What a wet day it is here in New Jersey. We have at least three inches of rain so far. It's not supposed to let up for another two days. I pity and pray for those who live on lower ground or near rivers. As promised, here is part two of "Beware The Neighbor." You get the inspirational part of the story this time. If you missed part one, please go to: http://archives.zinester.com/86758/127312.html and read it first. If anyone is interested in greeting cards, Ginny belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed together to market their products. Check them out at: http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com Ginny's cards and other crafts are at: http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational sites at the end. There's something for everyone. Now for today's story. Beware the Neighbor In the blink of an eye, one side of the tree burst into flame. The small green needles, full of sap, turned black and then grey, as they were consumed by the flames. Heat lifted the ash into the air. Like a snow storm, the flakes settled on my head and shoulders, turning my head prematurely grey. "It's all over, John!" I screamed. "We're all going to lose our homes." As fast as the flames incinerated the tree, they died off - perhaps because of the rain the day before. Two fire trucks bounced up our rutted driveway. Men clad in rubber jumped out, unreeled hoses, and rushed up the hill where John and I stood. "Where's the fire?" the captain asked. "I took care of it." I said and wiped my hand across my forehead. The charred remains of my eyebrows dropped from my head and drifted in the light breeze. He looked at my sooty face, "You put this out?" He surveyed the field and the tall trees that bordered it. "You did a great job. This whole place could have gone up in flames." "We should make him an honorary fireman." another said. ********************************* The smell of fresh mowed grass filled the air. Below my house, the sound of a chainsaw disturbed the peace. John was cutting the trees, to give him a view of the cove below our house. I pushed my mower toward the shed. As I crossed the road leading to his house, I heard the crack of a tree trunk snapping. To my right, I heard what sounded like the string of a bow being released. The power lines that crossed my property and provided electricity to the rest of the point, whipped through the air and landed in the bbrush. Georgia yelled out the window. "Michael, the power just went out." "I know." I yelled back. "John just broke the wires." I ran up the road, ducked the fallen lines, and yelled through the trees. "John!" His chainsaw went silent. "John!" I yelled again. "You cut the lines. The power is out." John came through the brush. Small twigs stuck from his bushy beard. "It's OK!" he said. "They're just guy-wires to hold up the poles." He bent and reached for one. "No!" I screamed and turned my back to him, afraid to see him electrocuted. "Don't touch them, John." I expected him to turn into a dancing ball of flame. "Why?" He asked. "They're just guy-wires." I turned to face him. John stood holding the wires. My heartbeat slowed. "John, look where those wires lead." I pointed to the top of the pole. "They're attached to the insulators at the top of the pole." John looked in the direction I pointed. His face turned white. I continued. "They must have crossed when they fell and blew a fuse down the line. You're a lucky man, John." ********************************* My friend and co-worker, Pat Carey, drove us home. We both worked for the same company in a different province. It was the day before Christmas Eve. "Thanks for driving me home, Pat." "No problem, Mike. I was going home anyway." He glanced in my direction. "How long has it been since you were home?" "It's been almost two months." "That's a long time to be away from your family." "It's been too long, Pat." I fought back tears. "I'm lucky to get home for Christmas. Do you have your Christmas tree yet?" "Yes, my brother brought one over and helped my wife put it up. You?" "No, not yet." I sighed. "I'll be climbing through the woods tomorrow." We used to cut our trees in the woods back then. "It's going to be a busy day. I'm not looking forward to it." Pat pulled his car into my driveway. "Merry Christmas, Mike. Enjoy your family." I opened the door, stepped out and leaned back in. We shook hands. "Merry Christmas, Pat. Thanks again. I'll see you in a couple of days." After being away so long, I knocked on my front door. I felt like a guest in my own home. Georgia opened the door and held out her arms. "Merry Christmas, Michael." I wrapped my arms around her. "Merry Christmas, Hun." We kissed. "I missed you so much." "Daddy!" Vanessa and Justin ran to me. I released Georgia and dropped to my knees. Tears filled my eyes. I wrapped my arms around them both. "Merry Christmas, guys. I missed you." Over their heads, I surveyed the room. In the center, where it stood every year, was a perfectly decorated Christmas tree. The sparkling lights reflected in the tears running down my cheek. I slowly stood. "Georgia?" I looked at her. "Georgia…" I looked at the tree again. Words failed me. "Do you like it?" She smiled at me. "Yes, but…how?" "John cut it for us. He got it in the back of our property." She hugged me. "He wanted to help. It's his Christmas gift." "It's amazing, a little crooked, but amazing." I pulled her into my arms, smelled her hair - the hair I hadn't smelled in months - and allowed my tears to flow freely. "I'll never be able to thank him enough." John scared me more than once, but his heart was pure. He always meant to do the right thing, but mostly failed. On Christmas Eve, 1996, John finally got it right. The tears spilling down my cheeks were proof. Michael T. Smith I like to end on an inspirational note. In this long story I think I succeeded. However, there's a bit more to this story that needs to be told. Christmas night, Georgia and I held each other in bed. I had to go back to work the day after Christmas. We didn't know when we'd be together again. We clung to each other and drifted to sleep. Four AM - I woke with a start, rolled onto my back, stared at the dark ceiling and wondered what woke me. Georgia stirred beside me. "You awake?" she asked. "Yeah!" I yawned. "I wonder what woke us?" "I don't know." she snuggled against my side. "Oh no!" I stiffened. "The tree!" "What about it?" I didn't respond, as I jumped to my feet and rushed from the room. "Michael?" Georgia ran behind me. "What is it?" I turned on the lights. We both froze. The tree lay on its side. Broken ornaments - many of them family heirlooms - sparkled on the hardwood floor. A few that survived the fall, rolled like pool balls in various directions. For two hours we cleaned, salvaged what we could, and discovered the tree hadn't been properly secured in the stand. Under the weight of the ornaments, it finally toppled over. We never told John what happened. His generous gift was appreciated. The only words that needed to be spoken were, "Thank you." Michael T. Smith If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. My only request is that you include the link for your friends to join our family. To join our family, go to: http://subs. zinester.com/ 86758/ REMOVE THE SPACES TO GET TO THE SITE. SPAM BLOCKERS ARE HURTING EZINES. DON'T LET THEM PREVENT YOU FROM READING GREAT STORIES. As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites. I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites. Run by my friend Carol, Storytime Tapestry at: http://archives.zinester.com/98907/ By my good friend Keith in Australia: http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/ My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/ Phil's awesome and brutally honest Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/ Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two wonderful story sites. http://hodu.com/ http://www.mydailyinsights.com/ www.ripplemaker.com http://www.sermonillustrator.org http://www.SkyWriting.Net Here's a newly discovered one I like: http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/ That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with more, I'll add them. Enjoy!!! I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com. I'll include some in every post. Here is a omment on the last story. It's the only one I recieved. Your silence tells me I am failing in my writing. Hi Mike... Great story so far, anxious for part two next week... and we are waving all the way from Campbell, CA...can you see us?? Take Care, and try not to work too hard! Blessings, Andy & Barbara Campbell, CA ***************** |
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April22, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - FEATHERED FIDELITY >> |
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