|
We walked along the shores lining the coast of Nova
Scotia. A wave crashed against the rocks, splashing us. We jumped back,
wiping our faces. "That was a big one!" I laughed.
The water retreated, leaving a bottle behind. Jimmy picked it up. He
looked at me. "Mike, what if we found a magic lantern? If we rubbed it
and a genie popped out, what would you wish for?"
"I'd wish for a TonkaŠ truck. I want one of those
big yellow ones to carry dirt around. We could build pretend cities and
roads." I said. "And a new bike - one with gears. I also want all the
candy I can eat."
"Cool!" Jimmy said. "I want to be a grownup with a car, a house and a
boat."
Years later, in my teens, a friend asked, "Mike, if you had three
wishes, what would you want?"
"I want a flashy car, pretty women, and a high paying job."
In my twenties, I wanted money, a house, and a chance to see the world.
I married and had children. I wished for the bills to be paid, a company
of my own, and for my kids to succeed.
I missed the mark! My jobs changed every few years. We moved many times,
never being able to really settle in one place. My wife took a trip to
heaven. I was alone with two teenagers, far from our original home.
One morning, I woke up, turned to my side and there was Ginny - my new
wife. In my dreams, I must have stepped on a lantern. A genie offered
me a wish. It came true. There she was- my new wife. She slept beside
me. Cars, money, and homes: who needs them?
LOVE!
The "Beatles" said it best in their song, "All You Need Is Love."
Love is all I need.
My wishes changed as I matured. I wished for many things. They could
only be obtained with money. One thing I didn't wish for was love - one
of the few things I could receive by giving it.
I looked at Ginny again. Her eyes opened and stared
at me. I opened my arms. She slid into them. Her heart beat against my
chest. Our lips touched. We were one - complete. I don't need anything
else.
I had it, but I didn't know it. When I lost it, I was lucky enough to
find it again.
I stepped on a lantern.
I got my wish.
Michael T. Smith |
Re: All Her Children, by Clara
Wersterfer
Makes
you wonder why some things happen in our lives that make no sense such
as these losses of loved ones.
Mark Crider
Re: The World is
a Changin', by Roger Dean Kilser
wow!
enough said. my husband would have done what you did. i am so proud of
both of you. there are not enough people in the world to be so kind,
but there sometimes is enough.
Diane Chambers
Re: Tell Me
Something Good About America, by Roger Campbell
Hi,
the title just made me email [without ...about America]. I'm always
saying, especially at the hospital to families, "tell me something
good." I try to have my families say what's good in their lives. it's
hard, especially at the hospital; but I believe with all the negative,
to look for something positive. i was going to title 1 of my stories
"tell me something good" about a patient who after hearing me always ask
her that, used to email me and in her subject line she would write "TELL
ME SOMETHING GOOD." take care,
keep
hope alive,
Mike |
