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| << June26, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - In The Garden of Grief |
July01, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Happy Canada Day >> |
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Hi, Gang We had major thunder storms roll through tonight. We lost power for a bit. We lit candles and started a game of Scrabble. Thank goodness the power came back on. In only a few moves, Ginny was up by more than 100 points. I said I had to post my story and ran. We saved the game though. She wants to win. Friday night, I'll have to finish my loss. It reminds me of a story called, "The Best Move." I'll repost it next week. A year ago, my little grandsons left for Idaho, many 1000's of miles away. We haven't seen them since. We miss the little boogers. This is my repeat night. I posted a story about my grandson, Joshie, a while back. I wanted to post this one tonight. As I reread it, I cried. The little booger made my day and everything right. If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. I only ask that you leave the link at the bottom for them to join us. NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING MY STORIES, PLEASE USE THE UNSUBSCRIBE LINK BELOW. PLEASE DO NOT MARK ME AS SPAM. MY STORIES ARE ONLY SENT TO THOSE WHO SUBSCRIBE TO MY EZINE. I Love your comments. Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com 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. Just Three Words July 1, 2005, I met my three grandchildren and my stepdaughter, Heather, for the first time. She was having marital problems. We were there to bring them back to New Jersey to live with us. 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 three and five - the oldest two. They stared 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'd been 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 - the unknown grandpa. Heather was polite, but I could sense the doubt. Who was this man? I would have to convince her, I wasn't replacing her dad. Her dad was in Heaven now. I was just a man who loved her mom. Joshie and Seth were too shy to look at me. They stood, side-by-side, their eyes passing from Ginny and Heather, with only quick glances in my direction. Their eyes said it all, "Is that our new Poppa?" We shared hugs and went back to their house, where I met Benny and his other grandma - Sonja. Benny was the youngest of the three and even more afraid of me. The next day, the older boys were doing flips over my lap and laughing. Benny hugged Sonja, still scared of me. The following day, we packed the kids in the car and headed for New Jersey. My life changed. My house had been full of breakable and memorable things. In a few weeks they were gone. I hid them in closets and drawers. Our bedroom became a storage room. There are only so many times you can tell a child not to touch something before you realize, they can't help it. I packed it all away! Ginny and I used to spend time talking or reading, when I came home from work, but with the grandkids there, we would be interrupted. It was a new life. The quiet times were gone. A year later, Heather and the boys are leaving on a new adventure. The boys were visiting their Dad in Oklahoma and would join their mom in Idaho in a few months. Our house is empty. We have our life again - or do we? I was up at 5 AM to see them off on their trip to see their Dad. Their bags were packed and loaded in the car. We grabbed the last of their stuff, clamored down the steps, and opened the car doors. Benny and Seth jumped 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 formed in my eyes. They'd been a thorn in my side, but I'd grown used to those thorns. I buckled Benny in his car seat, stood, and heard, "Poppa Mike?" I turned toward the voice. Joshie stood staring at me. He'd snuck around the back of the car. "Yes, Joshie?" "I love you." "I love you too, Joshie," I said. Big tears began to roll down my cheeks. "I love you too, buddy. I'll miss you. Be a good boy for your daddy." The car pulled away. I went into the house and looked around. There were a few small toys scattered about. A plastic block lay in a corner. In the kitchen was a pack of Crayons. Behind the sofa was a cart full of Leggos©. My house was almost bare of their toys but full of memories. 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. When I first saw those marks, I was so angry, I stomped out of the house and took a long walk to cool my temper. I thought of all the breakables hidden in closets. Memories of a broken lamp, stomping feet, yelling, screaming, crying, interrupted conversations, spilled drinks and sprayed food flashed through my mind. It had been a rough year for me. I had a hard time adjusting to having young kids in the house. A little boy walked around the back of the car and said, "I LOVE YOU!" The stress, cries, scratches on tables, stains in carpets, tablecloths cut with scissors, screams, nicks, marks, and broken furniture were forgiven. Joshie, the one who was the most troublesome, made it right. He was the middle child, struggling to be acknowledged before his brothers. He said three words. That's all it took, just three powerful words - I LOVE 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/ As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites. I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites. A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all in her latest book. Carol Roach M.Ed, B.A. Publisher: Storytime Tapestry Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485 Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at: http://archives.zinester.com/98907/ Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna Freelance Writer www.littleredmailbox.com www.griefcase.blogspot.com www.storybone.blogspot.com "...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life." 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/ If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns, struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com Janet's prayer group will respond. 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. Now for some comments on my last few stories: Hi Thank you for the link about Paul Potts (on Britain's Got Talent) I always watch American Idol and the X-Factor. Although I live in the UK I wasn't able to watch BGT. Paul Potts is amazing, I was smiling and crying at the same time. Thanks for sharing Kindest regards, Sadhana **********************8 Your stories just keep getting better and better! The parallels in your stories make me more aware of the ones in my life. Keep the pencil sharpened. Oops! That remark shows my age. We use computers now! :) Re: Paul Potts ~~~~ He is absolutely incredible. I had seen his videos several times before your email arrived but had to go back and watch them all over again. The tears arrive from my heart every time I hear him sing. Linda ***************** I always told you the bag of peas story was a winner and the video is a tear jerker, as well! That was from my other Mom - Liz ************** Dear Michael It's been a while since I've replied to your wonderful stories - thank you so much for the care you take to share your heart. I am so grateful to you for sending this link to Paul Potts' singing - it started my morning with tears streaming down my face and opened my heart a little wider. Bless you for that. And your story is very poignant today as my mum is dying, and all around our family there is enormous change as death brings its decay slowly and everything withers like the vegetables in your garden. However yesterday I picked a single vibrant flower and put it in a vase by my sink, reminding me to keep flowering and keep shining a light inspite of the many changes. Thank you for shining your light on me today. with love Rachel ************** This one is about a preious story used on another site. It was called "Life is a Bag of Frozen Peas. thanks Mike , glad to see your reply,you surely are doing a tremendous job with your inspirational stories,you could never know just how many lives you are touching and saving just by taking time out to write and reach out to people. i subscribed to receive your weekly articles and will be expecting them . thanks once again all the best . shingi *************** I've cried several times - not boo hoo crying, but lots of tears have welled up in my eyes. I can't believe he hasn't been discovered before this. I'm not an opera fan but definitely would pay for one of his CD's. I know Simon will help him along the way to true stardom. After all, it will be money in Simon's pocket. I think I heard that he'll start recording right away. Bedtime and it's even later where you are! Good night to you and your Ginny. Linda To unsubscribe, please go to: http://www.zinester.com/cgi/unsub.cgi?86758&0& |
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| << June26, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - In The Garden of Grief |
July01, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Happy Canada Day >> |
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