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| << May18, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - Just Look 'em In The Eye |
May29, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - Chris-T-Fur >> |
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Hello, my friends! Ginny and I had a busy Saturday. Friends were in town from Oklahoma. We spent the morning showing them Manhattan. At noon we left them to explore on their own, as we headed to Brooklyn, where we were meeting several members of our widow/widower group for an afternoon of fun and laughter. It is so wonderful to be with others who have experienced the loss of a spouse. There is a special bond between us. For many, it's the only time they can talk about their pain without feeling like they are dropping their burdens on others. ***************************** Last week I mentioned I was concerned about the lack of comments on the story I wrote for Ginny on Mother's Day. Well, a lot of you sure made up for it this week. I hope I didn't come across as begging for comments. I have included many of them below. There were too many to include them all. I wish I could. Your words inspire me to keep writing. Today, I have two stories for you. One was an idea that came to me during the Easter weekend. I just got around to putting it into words. The other is about the family tree. I hope you enjoy them. Mike The Learning Tree My grandfather baited the hook with a worm. He did it slowly, allowing me to watch and learn. He handed the rod to me, held my arms and taught me to cast my line into the blue water. Our bobbers floated together, as we sat on the shore hoping for a bite. "I remember when I could sit here and watch the fish swimming in the water." He said. "Sometimes, they'd jump out and land beside me. I didn't need a rod and bait back then." He was teasing me again. I liked it. The sun warmed us. We sat and talked. "We have to be patient." he continued. "The fish may come or they may not. It doesn't matter. We're out in the sun. It's a beautiful day. If it had rained, we wouldn't be here. We're lucky to have the warmth of the sun." He leaned back against a tree and sighed. "Yes, it's a great day." I watched our bobbers. No fish pulled them under that day. It didn't matter. I was with granddad. I felt grown up. Just being with him was special. Later, I sat in the back of the boat and watched as he rowed. His powerful muscles rippled with each pull on the oars. I wanted to be like him when I grew up. He was well liked by everyone. He'd struggled hard all his life for the little he had, but he managed to find time to laugh. Sim was an amazing man. In the short time we had together, he taught me many things: how to bait a hook, the love of a good laugh, the value of a good friend, respect for my elders, to work hard and to love harder. The list is long. He didn't always teach me directly. I pictured him with my mom, when she was a child, teaching and guiding her to maturity. The things he taught her would be passed on to me. The family tree is a learning tree. The larger, older branches support and guide the new smaller branches. They balance the family structure with their strength. Over time, the branches above grow large, join with other families, and shade the older branches below. The old branches grow weak from the lack of light, die and fall away. The branches above take over their role on the learning tree, supporting the new family members. Michael T. Smith The Sun Has Risen Stars twinkled in the sky, as the first cars pulled into the parking lot. Their headlights beamed over the ocean waters, competing with the circling light from the towering lighthouse behind us. Children yawned, as their parents lifted them from their safety seats. A light breeze chilled the congregation gathering on the rocks of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. Some shivered beneath heavy coats, which did little to block the pre- dawn cold. Our pastor climbed to the highest rock. We waited patiently for her to speak. The sky grew lighter over the eastern sky, turning the waters red. "Every day the sun sets." She began. "Every morning it rises again. We're disappointed to see it leave us each evening, but we're not sad. We have faith in our sun. We know it will rise again." She spoke for many minutes, touching our hearts and souls with her words of faith and love. The sky grew brighter. The choir assembled on the cliffs in front of us. They lead us in song. As the last words echoed out of the ocean, the sun appeared over the horizon. It was Easter morning. The Son had risen. Michael T. Smith Feel free to share my stories. I only ask that you include the contact information with it. It helps me gain more wonderful members. To subscribe to "heartsandhumor" visit http://subs.zinester.com/86758/ Hi Mike, I don't why you didn't get more responses on the Mother's Day tributes --- it was very good! Many times when it comes to expressing love to and about our loved ones we humans just don't. Why?? Who knows! Probably there are many reasons, and I can be just as guilty as the next one. Anyway! thanks for saying all the loving things about your mothers and Ginny. I, like you, have always liked to look people in the eye, give them a smile at least, maybe a "Hi" too One never knows how another is hurting and maybe a smile or a Hi is just what they need. Keep up the good work. I do enjoy reading your articles. Beth **************** You couldn't of said it better to many people are caught up in their own world to even think about just saying Good Morning to someone else and what it might mean. There is a story on the internet about a smile and passing it on.I think we should all try to do these things a least once or twice a day it might make someones day.Just by caring what a great world this could be. Yvonne ***************** Hi. I enjoy your stories and some of them really make my day. Patsy ***************** Michael I just read your your story for today and I learned you're a lot like my husband. He knows near everyone around us and seldom has difficulty striking up a a wonderful conversation with 'strangers' wherever we go. He always finds something they have in common and it goes on from there. He once admired a colorful carved cane a 'new friend' had and he gave it to my husband saying that he buys several at a time in Mexico to give away. Everytime it is used of course we think of him. I loved your Mother's Day story. I have read it several times and thought about the deep love you feel for your Ginny. I'm so happy for you to have found each other and appreciate the glimpse of your wonderful life together. Many will never experience that caring relationship. Thanks for sharing with us and keep those wonderful stories coming our way. Vel ********************** I am glad you posted the Mother's Day story. I think you probably didn't get many comments because of envy! We all want to experience a love like you described. It gave me hope that there must still be a few men out there that are capable of that kind of a love and not afraid to express it. I'll bet your words made Ginny "glow". It is such a great feeling to know you are loved so deeply and that your love wants to tell the world! Thank you for opening up and sharing your heart with us - not just Mother's Day - but with every story you write. Lisa http://www.zinester.com/cgi/unsub.cgi?86758&0& |
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| << May18, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - Just Look 'em In The Eye |
May29, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - Chris-T-Fur >> |
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