OddsnEnds

I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas.

But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them. I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself.

I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, "Are you sure I don't have enough money" She replied a bit impatiently, "You know that you don't have enough money for it. The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll.

After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said,"It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it." I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said "No, Santa can't go where my sister is...I have to give the doll to my Mamma to take to her". I asked him where his sister was. He looked at me with thesaddest eyes and said "She was gone to be with Jesus". My Daddy says that Mama is going to have to go be with her. My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, "I told my Daddy to tell Mama not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store".

Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he'd had taken at the front of the store. He said "I want my Mamma to take this with her so she won't ever forget me." "I love my Mama so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me". "But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister."

I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy, "Shall we count that money one more time?" He grew excited and said, "Yes, I just know it has to be enough".So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. Of course it was plenty for the doll.

He softly said "Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money." Then the boy said "I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Mama can take it with her to give to my sister." "And he heard my prayer. "I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Mama a white rose, but I didn't ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Mama." "She loves white roses so very, very much". In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away.

I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on whether to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story.

Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were some how connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store.

I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces.

~~~Unknown Author~~~

Please care!--Please don't drink and drive. MADD.org

How Moms Were Made

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into the sixth day working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands."

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel.

The Lord replied, Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have! "

"And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop the Lord "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower."

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?" Asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak." the Lord objected. "That's a tear!'

"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again, my friend. I created the woman, but she created the tear!"

~~~Unknown Author~~~

I've Learned..

I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night"..... Age 6

I've learned that our dog doesn't want to eat my broccoli either..... Age 7

I've learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back..... Age 9

I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up again..... Age 12

I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up..... Age 14

I've learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me..... Age 15

I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice..... Age 24

I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures..... Age 26

I've learned that wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there..... Age 29

I've learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it..... Age 39

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it..... Age 42

I've learned that you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little note..... Age 44

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others..... Age 46

I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies..... Age 47

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow..... Age 48

I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours..... Age 49

I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone..... Age 50

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights..... Age 52

I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills..... Age 52

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die..... Age 53

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life..... Age 58

I've learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, work to improve your marriage..... Age 61

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance..... Age 62

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to beable to throw something back..... Age 64

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happinesswill find you..... Age 65

I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision..... Age 66

I've learned that everyone can use a prayer. Age 72

I've learned that it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth, I've seen several..... Age 75

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one..... Age 82

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back..... Age 85

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..... Age 92

I've learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile. Ageless.

~~~Unknown Author~~~

WHY MOTHERS CRY

"Why are you crying?" he asked his mom.

"Because I'm a mother" she told him.

"I don't understand," he said.

His mom just hugged him and said, "You never will."

Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason.

"All mothers cry for no reason" was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry. So he finally put in a call to God and when God got on the phone the man said "God, why do mothers cry so easily."

God said, "You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times come from their children. I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and to take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them very badly. This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager's anxieties and fears. I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it is needed. It's their only weakness. It's a tear for mankind".

~~~Unknown Author~~~

WOMEN HAVE AMAZING STRENGTHS

They carry children, they carry hardships, they carry burdens... but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

Women wait by the phone for a 'safe at home' call from a child or a friend after a snowy drive home.

Women friends keep secrets you told them years ago and never bring them up again.

Women have special qualities about them. They volunteer for good causes. They serve in hospitals, bring food to shut ins, are child care workers, executives, attorneys, stay at home moms.

They wear suits, they wear jeans, they wear uniforms.

They fight for what they believe in, stand up for injustice and are in the front row at PTA meetings.

They vote for the person that will do the best job for family issues.

They walk and talk the extra mile to get their children in the right schools, their family the right health care.

They write to the editor, their congressmen and to "the powers that be" for things that make for a better life. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

A woman can wipe a tear, cover a cut and pat you on the back at the same time. She eats less so the family can have more. She rushes to school to pick up a sick child. She sticks a lovenote in her husband's lunchbox. She does without new shoes so that her children can have them. She goes to scout meetings and chaperones class trips. She goes to the doctor with a frightened friend.

Women don't make excuses for defending their family or friends. They give a friend some money in times of trouble. They love unconditionally. They are loyal, honest and forgiving. They are smart, knowing that knowledge IS power. But they still know how to use their softer side to make a point. Women want to be the best for their family, their friends and themselves. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They get teary eyed when others do great things. They save their anger for the unjust and the insincere. They tell people that need to be told to straighten up their act. They lend a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a voice to make suggestions.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a new marriage. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have so much sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is not any strength left. They can control situations that seem uncontrollable. They can round up energy when they are tired. They can stay up a little longer to talk to someone that needs a friend. They will rush to be by your side when you are lonely. They will give up their favorite TV show to help with homework or read a bedtime story.

A woman's touch can cure any ailment. She knows that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. She can make a romantic evening unforgettable. She can bring out the best in her husband, children and friends. She is not there to push, but to gently encourage.

Women are cheerleaders, teachers, lovers. They can whisper a kind word, scream a loud cheer and laugh away a fear. They can mend your broken spirit and give you back your self-esteem. They can knit a family back together after a break or a loss.

Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They live in homes, apartments, cabins and trailers. They drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. They have hearts that forgive and forget an injustice. They have hearts that remember a kindness. They have hearts that beat with loyalty and love. The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin. They can cry and laugh at the same time. They can be sad and hopeful at the same time.

~~~Unknown Author~~~

THE BOXES FROM GOD

I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold.

He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black,and all your joys in the gold.

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes both my joys and sorrows I store though the gold became heavier each day the black was as light as before.

With curiosity I opened the black; I wanted to find out why and I saw, in the base of the box, a hole through which my sorrows had fallen.

I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud, "I wonder where my sorrows could be."

He smiled a gentle smile at me. "My child, they're all here with me." I asked,

"God, why give me the boxes, why the gold, and the black with the hole?"

"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, The black is for you to let go."

~~~Unknown Author~~~

Written by Danny Dutton, age 8,
from Chula Vista, California, for his third
grade homework assignment to "Explain God".

One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things here on earth. He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way, He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk, He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times besides bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV on account of this. Since He hears everything, not only prayers, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off.

God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere, which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your parent's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.

Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.

Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind like His Father and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said OK.

His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore, He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important, of course. You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to hear you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.

You should always go to Church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun, like going to the beach. This is wrong! And, besides, the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.

If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim very good and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids. But you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases.

And that's why I believe in God."

S-H-M-I-L-Y

My grandparents were married for over half a century and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "shmily" in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving "shmily" around the house and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.

They dragged "shmily" with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers, to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio (where my grandma always fed us warm, homemade pudding with blue food coloring).

"Shmily" was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper, to leave "shmily" on the very last sheet. There was no end to the places "shmily" would pop up. Little notes with "shmily" scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. "Shmily" was written in the dust upon the mantel and traced in the ashes of the fireplace. This mysterious word was as much a part of my grandparents' house as the furniture.

It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparents' game. Skepticism has kept me from believing in true love - one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparents' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatious little games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affection, which not everyone is lucky to experience.

Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses, as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble. My grandma whispered to me about how cute my grandpa was, how handsome and old he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew "how to pick 'em."

Before every meal they bowed their heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings: a wonderful family, good fortune and each other. But, there was a dark cloud in my grandparents' lives: my grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared ten years earlier.

As always, Grandpa was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that way so that she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside.

Now the cancer was again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my grandfather's steady hand, they went to church every Sunday morning. But, my grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally, she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, Grandpa would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over his wife.

Then one day, what we all dreaded finally happened. Grandma was gone. "Shmily." It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time.

Grandpa stepped up to my grandmother's casket and (taking a shaky breath) he began to sing to her. Through his tears and grief, the song came (a deep and throaty lullaby).

Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. For I knew that (although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love) I had been privileged to witness its' unmatched beauty.

"S-h-m-i-l-y: See How Much I Love You."

Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for letting me see.

~~~ Unknown Author~~~

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This page updated August 19, 2000