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| << July16, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Get on Your Behind and Slide |
July28, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Just Imagine >> |
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Happy Sunday, my family of readers. Our family is quickly closing in on 1400 members. It thrills me that so many wonderful people around the world enjoy my stories and sign up to read them. A few weeks ago, I posted a story about my young grandson Joshie. If you missed it, you can read it here: http://archives.zinester.com/86758/134071.html The story I have for you today relates to the "HooHoo Fraks" story. We all went through a rough time adjusting to living together. The story below is one of the rough times we had. See below the story for a comment I received on the original version of this story. Rosemary offered great insight. I actually sent the story to her before I posted it. I wasn't sure if I should share it with my readers. Rosemary encouraged me to post it. On another note, I never knew writing could be a dangerous business. On the second and fourth Thursday of every month I meet with my local writing group at Borders Books. We share our stories and offer helpful suggestions to improve our work. I have it on my outlook email calendar to remind me. It popped up a couple Wednesdays ago. I immediately grabbed my writing bag from the side of the sofa and put it on the floor in front of me. It's my reminder to pick it up and take it to the kitchen, where I'll grab it up in the morning and put it in the car. Well, the first time I got up, I stepped over it with one foot. As I lifted my second foot over, my toes caught in the handle. Gang, this 230 lb frame went flying. I stumbled, struggled to keep my balance and protect the glass I carried in my hand. I turned to the side as I fell, so I wouldn't land on the glass, and ended up slamming to the floor on my side and smashing the back of my head into the wall. The drink I carried spilled over my chest. In the process I somehow twisted my ankle and almost broke my big toe and probably broke something in my foot. It didn't hurt too much at the time, but the next morning, the toe was twice its normal size and was a lovely shade of red and purple. It might look good on a Christmas tree, but not on my foot. After a week and a half, the bruising is gone, but it still swells if I walk too much. I keep it wrapped and walk with the foot turned outward, so I don't bend the big toe, which clicks if I do. I was on my feet a lot yesterday. By walking like I am, I think it puts a strain on my back. This morning I could hardly get out of bed. Ginny is babying me. She won't let me do anything. "Just sit!" she scolded. "I'll get whatever you need." I love my woman. Who knew writing could be so dangerous? 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. This is one of my favorites. Are You Hiding Under Your Tent The blanket ruffled in the wind over my head. Blackie, my dog and best friend, poked her head under the blanket and stared at me. "Blackie! Come here, Blackie." I called. She curled up next to me and rested her head on my lap. When I felt bad, Blackie was there for me. My parents were fighting again, so I retreated to my make-shift tent - an old blanket, full of holes, propped up with a picket, and tied down at the edges with rocks. I cuddled with Blackie, tears in my eyes. "Blackie, I love you." My tent and Blackie were comforting. I could hide, protected by Blackie. She was the kindest dog I knew, but I imagined her growling and attacking anyone who tried to harm me. Under that old tattered blanket, I sat with my dog and listened to the sounds from outside, pleased no one could see me. I was safe. ******************* I climbed to the top of a high tree and watched the world around me. People passed below. I clung tightly to the trunk of my tree. It swayed in the wind, as I watched the people disappear around a bend in the path. I loved the isolation of my perch. No one knew I was there. No one could hurt me. ******************* I sat by a piece of timber. A storm had washed it up on a small hill by my grandfather's fishing shack. High up on the rocks and partially hidden by a small tree, it became my shelter. I poked nails into its rotting surface. They became switches and buttons for a spaceship. A rusty handle from a discarded saucepan, which I found on the shore, became my controller. It allowed me to dive and spin to avoid enemy spaceships. I imagined circling my spacecraft. Other kids wandered by, but I remained hidden. In my imagination, I soared high over their heads - unseen. ******************* I'm an adult now. The tent made from a worn blanket, my space ship, and the tops of trees are gone. I don't need to hide anymore. Adults don't have to hide, or so I thought. ******************* I sat in my bedroom with my computer in my lap. The screen went to sleep and turned dark. I wasn't typing or reading. Two years of unemployment and low-paying jobs took their toll. My mind felt as blank as the screen. It felt dead. Our financial situation was bleak. We were a month behind in rent and our phone service had been cut off. Thankfully, this kept the bill collectors from calling. My stepdaughter, Heather, and I were not getting along - mainly because of me. I was withdrawn and complained about the smallest things. She and her three young boys moved in with us until she could support herself. We were both in situations we didn't want to be. We had no control and took our frustrations out on each other. The stress took its toll on everyone, including my lovely wife. My step-grandsons were afraid. In a new home, without their familiar family circle, they tried to adjust to their new environment. Their new Grandpa was scary. His rules were different. It frightened them. Ginny was stuck in the middle. I'd come home from work, retreat to my room, and hide. Heather and her boys went to theirs. Ginny sat in the living-room alone. She was torn between two loves. I was a child again - hiding instead of communicating. Ginny took control. She called a family meeting. After the kids went to bed, she made Heather and me sit. She looked at us. "You two are going to work this out tonight! I've had enough!" She looked at Heather, "You want to leave? Fine! Leave, but you're not leaving until you and Mike make up. "If anyone is leaving, it's me. You two can either learn to get along or kill each other. That will be up to you, but I'm not taking this anymore!" Ginny turned to me. "And you! You should know better! Those boys need a grandpa! You're it! I'm sorry, but you're their grandpa. Don't mess this up." Ginny ranted at Heather and me for 30 minutes. When she finished, she said, "OK! I'm going upstairs. You two sit here and come to a decision!" She turned her back to us and disappeared up the stairs. We listened to her stomp down the hall over our heads and winced as the door to our bedroom slammed shut. I looked at Heather. "Well, we've just been told. I feel like a little kid who just left the principal's office after being scolded for misbehaving." "Tell me about it!" she replied. A tear rolled down my cheek. "Heather, I'm sorry. I've been an ass. I love the kids, but it's hard for me to adjust to three boys living with us. I love your mom more than anything in the world. I don't want to lose her. It's just that I miss my time with her. We used to be alone here. We talked and played. Now we don't have that luxury. "I know you want to move out, Heather. I don't blame you. Heck! I want to move out too." Heather looked at me. "Mike, it's hard on all of us." "No kidding." I sighed. "Heather, don't leave. I'll try to do better. We owe it to your mom. Stay as long as you need - at least until Seth finishes the school year. I think we can work it out. Don't you?" "Yeah, I think we can." We talked for a long time. The next day felt like a storm had blown through and took the humidity away. Hurricane Ginny woke me up. I was a little boy again. Instead of communicating, I hid under my tent, climbed my tree, and tried to fly away in a my driftwood spaceship. My grandchildren were afraid of me. Heather avoided me. I avoided everyone. I was relieved to go to work and stressed to come home. Ginny, the woman we loved, suffered. Our lives came apart. She lifted the edge of my blanket/tent and instead of curling up with me, she dragged my sorry behind out into the open to face the challenge. I couldn't hide under my tent anymore. Michael T. Smith To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://www.zinester.com/cgi/unsub.cgi?86758&0& 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/ From my wonderful writing friend, Jan. She writes wonderful stories about her life and losing her sight. Janet Perez Eckles Faith and Love with a Latin Flair www.janetperezeckles.com 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: Here's part of the response Rosemary sent me when the original version of the above story was posted. I've edited it, to remove personal information. My dear friend, I have never meet you, but I know you to be an honest and truly caring man. I do plan one day to travel, and knocking on your door, just so as I can hug you in person. Please do put this story up, it is very human and it is what we all do, it is just very rare to have some one find the courage to write in such a manner and give voice to what we all do. Your step-daughter may be just as frightened as you are and needing also a place to hide. She is lucky in that her Mum and you gave her the security, so as she could bring her little ones to a base of love. The base she sought out was one of love, acceptance and strength. You my dear friend provided the strength part of the triangle. And because of that, you feel drained and at times unable to be the strength each member of your household needs you to be. Not only did you not know this family that are now sheltering under your "tent", but this family now also shares everything within the "tent", including your beautiful Ginny. Worse than that in a way that you may had not considered, they had Ginny first. Your step-daughter has a relationship with your wife that you were never part of, they can play "remember when", and you sit on the side lines looking in. The little boys is a different story. They love you and you love them without the barriers of time and distance. Children when they see and feel love security and strength know that their little worlds are safe. You are the strong big man in their little lives, after the only other man they have ever loved walked away from them. You love them, they love you, and that may also be a part of the problem. On a sub-conscious level you are at odds with your step-daughter. She has loved a man so deeply that she gave life to his 3 children. Then that man hurt her badly as well. Worse he destroyed the security of her babies. A mother always puts the security of her babies first -no mater the age of the baby. Now she is under your "tent", and because her Mum loves you, she will also love you [I have never met you, yet in a way I love you as well], she will also love you because of the way you have rescued her babies and are on a daily basis teaching each of them to be the strength that you are. So now you have a mother seeing her babies respond to you, she is naturally greatful on every level that she is aware of, but on a level she may not want to know anything about, there is a question of "can I truly trust this man not to hurt me by hurting my babies?" There are complex sets of emotions going between 3 adults, on the surface there is love and trust, underneath though there are unspoken questions from each of you. You are thinking "is Ginny going to withdraw her love from me and give it to her daughter and grand children" Your step-daughter is thinking "when is Michael going to stop loving us and kick us out, and will Mum be strong enough to stand up for us?" Ginny is thinking "when will these two stop thinking about themselves and start to work together, I have more than enough love for a ll of them" Now I may be wrong in what I just wrote above. But everything I have been reading over the past few months has always lead back to the strength of love, the need of love and the ability of love to heal, once love is open though love is the only thing that can heal. Life is amazing, you met Ginny and formed a circle of love. Both of you came with children. In a way both of you ensured that your children were within the circle of your love. One of the children "fell" and was hurt. You both reached out, pulled the child to you, loved the child, and in doing so healed the child. Now you want to put the child back into the centre with her other siblings, and have order return to the circle of love. Circumstances have prevented that from happening, so the circle is still out of balance. You feel guilty and feel you must hide because you feel love for the child and at the same time you want the child to go away. Michael put the story up. You need to reach out to those who love and support you, and then a llow us to help you with our words of love and support. You do not need to hide in your bedroom, up a tree or in a tent. You need to be able to draw strength from those who offer freely their love to you. In doing so, you will learn that there are many blended families with in this beautiful world. Who know your words may well be the words that others also need to see and feel to start to heal their own circles. I hope I have not sounded as if I am lecturing you, that is not what I intended to do. My hope was to shine a different flash light into the situation from a great distance away. In doing so, I hope I have given you a different view of your current situation, as well as the knowledge that as my friend, you have my love as well. ....with forever love Rosemary Now that was a comment and more. Rosemary was right. I shared her thoughts with my step-daughter. *********************** Great story/lesson about your "father-daughter" climb up the side of the mountain, Mike, but also a tad scary thinking about the possibility of one or both of you tumbling and falling many feet below! Have a happy week, Sandi in FL. ********************** Thanks so much for sharing. Loved the pics, and the story. Diana ******************** "Dito" to all the good comments at the end. Good luck with Justine. God will get you through whatever it is and thankfully, he has given you Ginny. That was from Liz my other Mom ******************* Get on your behind and slide. What a wonderful saying!! Love it, love it!!! And thank you so much for the pictures. One of these days I'll learn how to download and send pictures then you'll be able to see your Iowa friend. Thanks again for the pictures. Linda **************** Dear Michael: This touched my heart just now as I read it. I'm glad things are better for ya'll now. And I hope the summer months are a blessing to you, and yours. Peace, and Love, (and kudos for your great stories, and your gift of sharing them! God bless you.) --DawnRose, mother to 4, nana to two boys |
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| << July16, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Get on Your Behind and Slide |
July28, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Just Imagine >> |
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