E.C. Stilson's Blog, page 75
May 27, 2013
Remember that song Lodi from Creedence Clearwater Revivial?
This is a guest post for the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest.
Remember that song Lodi from Creedence Clearwater Revivial?
By Thomas M. Sullivan
“Oh Lord!, Stuck in Lodi again.”
Well, it seems that John Fogerty just didn’t run into the right stranger. If he did, things might’ve turned out differently.
An
online news magazine recently wrote a story about a kid from Lodi,
California who was raising money for a ski trip with friends. He was
going door-to-door selling newspaper subscriptions to raise money for a
ski trip with his friends. So he knocked on a door and a woman answered.
The
woman he encountered was a pharmacy tech who was out of work. She was
close to becoming homeless. She described her situation to the kid to
explain why she couldn’t afford to help fund his trip.
Did the kid just leave and knock on the next door? Nope, he offered to give the lady the money he had raised so far.
This kid is fourteen. Maybe it’s time to skip the elders and start learning from our juniors.
The woman declined the offer, but had this to say: 'Seeing on the news how badly people treat one another, my faith in humanity was restored. If kids like this are still around, it gives me hope.”
And that’s why I think we need more acts like this. We all need hope, especially when we’re feeling down.
For more about Thomas M. Sullivan, please visit his site HERE .
Also, please check out his most recent book:
Remember that song Lodi from Creedence Clearwater Revivial?
By Thomas M. Sullivan
“Oh Lord!, Stuck in Lodi again.”
Well, it seems that John Fogerty just didn’t run into the right stranger. If he did, things might’ve turned out differently.
An
online news magazine recently wrote a story about a kid from Lodi,
California who was raising money for a ski trip with friends. He was
going door-to-door selling newspaper subscriptions to raise money for a
ski trip with his friends. So he knocked on a door and a woman answered.
The
woman he encountered was a pharmacy tech who was out of work. She was
close to becoming homeless. She described her situation to the kid to
explain why she couldn’t afford to help fund his trip.
Did the kid just leave and knock on the next door? Nope, he offered to give the lady the money he had raised so far.
This kid is fourteen. Maybe it’s time to skip the elders and start learning from our juniors.
The woman declined the offer, but had this to say: 'Seeing on the news how badly people treat one another, my faith in humanity was restored. If kids like this are still around, it gives me hope.”
And that’s why I think we need more acts like this. We all need hope, especially when we’re feeling down.
For more about Thomas M. Sullivan, please visit his site HERE .
Also, please check out his most recent book:
Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest--An Angel at My Son's Grave
This is my first post for
The Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest
(Also--at the bottom of this post--there's a list of other bloggers who are writing inspirational stories as well!)
In November of 2011, The Golden Sky was released. It
was the most memorable year I've ever had--maybe even more so than when
Cade and I were homeless street musicians in Hawaii. From skydiving to
visiting the Bahamas; from blogging each day to getting a book
published.
Many tiny miracles
happened so my book could be in print. On Zeke's birthday, November
18th, I went to his grave and left a published copy of his book there.
It was my final way of saying good-bye. I can't describe how that
felt. It was so bittersweet. At the time I had a romantic notion that
God and Zeke were guiding me. I'd somehow leave the book and then the
right person would find it and read it. Silly idea, I know, but that's
still what I hoped for.
After returning from his grave, I wrote a Metaphorical Story
about it on my blog. That one tribute took so much out of me. I cried
and cried at the computer because I was finally saying good-bye--after
years.
Anyway, November
moved into December. Cade and I started fighting really bad. My blog
didn't see any of that because I cope with laughter. Then the washer
broke; my laptop died; one of my best friends found out she needed to
leave the state. Then to top all of that off, Doctor Jones put fish
tank chemicals in her eyes and we worried she'd go blind!
I sat on my bed and thought about how bad life sucks sometimes.
Seriously. I remember when Zeke was dying. The whole experience was
terrible, but somehow I got through. I prayed after remembering,
because God had been the one who helped me the entire time.
"God," I prayed. "I'm worried about everything. My life is falling apart. I don't know what I'm doing anymore."
The Scribe knocked on my bedroom door. "Mom? Are you okay?"
"Fine," I said. "I'm fine." I cleared my throat, then wiped the tears
from my eyes. "I can be strong," my voice came out as a whisper.
After all, it wasn't like Zeke was dying again.
I swear I can be such a pansy at times. Once my Aunt told me I'm her
hero. I nearly laughed. Can you imagine me being someone's hero, yet I
crumple when a washing machine breaks? What's my power, acidic tears?
Anyway, I went downstairs and hopped on the repaired laptop--that cost more than my life is worth, practically.
That's when the tides changed. I read a message on my Facebook Author Page--it was a random act of kindness!
This is what the message said:
I
loved your book and I left you a message here on facebook when you get
a chance, you are a very busy woman!!! Thank You so much for sharing.
May your family have a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring
you a lot of Joy. :)
I ended up giving the woman my e-mail address and you'll never believe this next part.
I'm crying again as I write this. Sometimes God's goodness is so
amazing, so overwhelming it's hard to process. We don't think He sees
each of us and our needs, but He does.
Here's the e-mail she sent to me (which she generously said I could share with you):
Hi, I am sure you do not know me. You see Zeke's grave is right next to my sister's grave.
I did go out to put some Christmas decorations on my sister's grave
and Zeke's, I have been putting a little something on his when I go
out there as well, and I came across a copy of your book. I did take the
copy and I will pass it on to my sister and my mom as well. It touched
me in ways that you will not know. I am so glad you let us share in
it. I cried when I read the part when Zeke passed as well as many other
times. You are a very strong lady, and I am glad you wrote the book. I
am sure you will help many moms and dads that have walked in your
shoes.
I hope my sister is up there enjoying Zeke as well as a lot of your family members are. She loved children too.
I just wanted you to know how I felt and to let you know that I
will continue to leave things on Zeke's grave if that is OK. I feel
even closer to him now that I know his story.
We lost my sister to Breast Cancer at the age of 45, and I was very close to her.
Once again, I just wanted to say thanks. You are very talented. God bless you and your family. Take Care
She
didn't have to read the book. She didn't have to send me a message,
but she did and her words have blessed my life for years now!
Not only had she read the book, but she'd been leaving things on Zeke's
grave. We live a good distance from him and just the thought that
someone visited him when I can't--that was a blessing!
Here's part of my response:
The fact that you got the book and read it seems like a miracle to me. It's just amazing how things work :) I'm so thankful that your sister's grave is next to my little boy's.
Here's her last response:
I
felt the same way when I saw the book there. It was like it was there
for a reason and I am so glad I was the lucky one to have picked it up.
I am so glad you will let me leave things on Zeke's grave, I feel like
he is part of us now too. What a great little boy and mom to have
touched so many people and you still have a long way to go.
Reading that e-mail, I realized something important. There's a
difference between letting go and saying good-bye. After all, when you
say good-bye, you know you'll see each other again.
This Memorial Day, I'm heading over to Zeke's grave with my four living
children. I hope we'll meet this wonderful women in person. Wouldn't
that be neat--to tell her how much she blessed my life.
Also, as a gift for the blogfest, I'm giving the eBook of The Golden Sky
away through Amazon. If interested, you can download your free copy
(from today until 5/31) HERE.
The Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest
(Also--at the bottom of this post--there's a list of other bloggers who are writing inspirational stories as well!)
In November of 2011, The Golden Sky was released. It
was the most memorable year I've ever had--maybe even more so than when
Cade and I were homeless street musicians in Hawaii. From skydiving to
visiting the Bahamas; from blogging each day to getting a book
published.
Many tiny miracles
happened so my book could be in print. On Zeke's birthday, November
18th, I went to his grave and left a published copy of his book there.
It was my final way of saying good-bye. I can't describe how that
felt. It was so bittersweet. At the time I had a romantic notion that
God and Zeke were guiding me. I'd somehow leave the book and then the
right person would find it and read it. Silly idea, I know, but that's
still what I hoped for.
After returning from his grave, I wrote a Metaphorical Story
about it on my blog. That one tribute took so much out of me. I cried
and cried at the computer because I was finally saying good-bye--after
years.
Anyway, November
moved into December. Cade and I started fighting really bad. My blog
didn't see any of that because I cope with laughter. Then the washer
broke; my laptop died; one of my best friends found out she needed to
leave the state. Then to top all of that off, Doctor Jones put fish
tank chemicals in her eyes and we worried she'd go blind!
I sat on my bed and thought about how bad life sucks sometimes.
Seriously. I remember when Zeke was dying. The whole experience was
terrible, but somehow I got through. I prayed after remembering,
because God had been the one who helped me the entire time.
"God," I prayed. "I'm worried about everything. My life is falling apart. I don't know what I'm doing anymore."
The Scribe knocked on my bedroom door. "Mom? Are you okay?"
"Fine," I said. "I'm fine." I cleared my throat, then wiped the tears
from my eyes. "I can be strong," my voice came out as a whisper.
After all, it wasn't like Zeke was dying again.
I swear I can be such a pansy at times. Once my Aunt told me I'm her
hero. I nearly laughed. Can you imagine me being someone's hero, yet I
crumple when a washing machine breaks? What's my power, acidic tears?
Anyway, I went downstairs and hopped on the repaired laptop--that cost more than my life is worth, practically.
That's when the tides changed. I read a message on my Facebook Author Page--it was a random act of kindness!
This is what the message said:
I
loved your book and I left you a message here on facebook when you get
a chance, you are a very busy woman!!! Thank You so much for sharing.
May your family have a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year bring
you a lot of Joy. :)
I ended up giving the woman my e-mail address and you'll never believe this next part.
I'm crying again as I write this. Sometimes God's goodness is so
amazing, so overwhelming it's hard to process. We don't think He sees
each of us and our needs, but He does.
Here's the e-mail she sent to me (which she generously said I could share with you):
Hi, I am sure you do not know me. You see Zeke's grave is right next to my sister's grave.
I did go out to put some Christmas decorations on my sister's grave
and Zeke's, I have been putting a little something on his when I go
out there as well, and I came across a copy of your book. I did take the
copy and I will pass it on to my sister and my mom as well. It touched
me in ways that you will not know. I am so glad you let us share in
it. I cried when I read the part when Zeke passed as well as many other
times. You are a very strong lady, and I am glad you wrote the book. I
am sure you will help many moms and dads that have walked in your
shoes.
I hope my sister is up there enjoying Zeke as well as a lot of your family members are. She loved children too.
I just wanted you to know how I felt and to let you know that I
will continue to leave things on Zeke's grave if that is OK. I feel
even closer to him now that I know his story.
We lost my sister to Breast Cancer at the age of 45, and I was very close to her.
Once again, I just wanted to say thanks. You are very talented. God bless you and your family. Take Care
She
didn't have to read the book. She didn't have to send me a message,
but she did and her words have blessed my life for years now!
Not only had she read the book, but she'd been leaving things on Zeke's
grave. We live a good distance from him and just the thought that
someone visited him when I can't--that was a blessing!
Here's part of my response:
The fact that you got the book and read it seems like a miracle to me. It's just amazing how things work :) I'm so thankful that your sister's grave is next to my little boy's.
Here's her last response:
I
felt the same way when I saw the book there. It was like it was there
for a reason and I am so glad I was the lucky one to have picked it up.
I am so glad you will let me leave things on Zeke's grave, I feel like
he is part of us now too. What a great little boy and mom to have
touched so many people and you still have a long way to go.
Reading that e-mail, I realized something important. There's a
difference between letting go and saying good-bye. After all, when you
say good-bye, you know you'll see each other again.
This Memorial Day, I'm heading over to Zeke's grave with my four living
children. I hope we'll meet this wonderful women in person. Wouldn't
that be neat--to tell her how much she blessed my life.
Also, as a gift for the blogfest, I'm giving the eBook of The Golden Sky
away through Amazon. If interested, you can download your free copy
(from today until 5/31) HERE.
May 26, 2013
The Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest is HERE!
As a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).
The Sword of Senack--FREE Download
Honk of Zagonk--FREE Download
Middle Damned--FREE Download
A Cat's Legacy--FREE Download
How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download
Bible Girl & the Bad Boy--FREE Download
The Golden Sky--FREE Download
Zombie Man--FREE DOwnload
Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales--FREE Download
Open Doors 1--FREE Download
Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv
Feel free to join up anytime from May 27th-31st. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life.
For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days
Here's the button for the blogfest:
After the blogfest (if participating authors are interested and posts are approved) Wayman Publishing would like to publish an anthology from the posts written during this blogfest. ALL profit for this (through 2013) will be donated to charity! The kindness will spread even more.
Please leave a comment or sign up here :
As a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).
The Sword of Senack--FREE Download
Honk of Zagonk--FREE Download
Middle Damned--FREE Download
A Cat's Legacy--FREE Download
How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download
Bible Girl & the Bad Boy--FREE Download
The Golden Sky--FREE Download
Zombie Man--FREE DOwnload
Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales--FREE Download
Open Doors 1--FREE Download
Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv
Feel free to join up anytime from May 27th-31st. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life.
For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days
Here's the button for the blogfest:
***
As a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).
The Sword of Senack--FREE Download
Honk of Zagonk--FREE Download
Middle Damned--FREE Download
A Cat's Legacy--FREE Download
How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download
Bible Girl & the Bad Boy--FREE Download
The Golden Sky--FREE Download
Zombie Man--FREE DOwnload
Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales--FREE Download
Open Doors 1--FREE Download
Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv
Feel free to join up anytime from May 27th-31st. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life.
For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days
Here's the button for the blogfest:
Grab this code (above) if you'd like to share this entire post.
The Sword of Senack--FREE Download
Honk of Zagonk--FREE Download
Middle Damned--FREE Download
A Cat's Legacy--FREE Download
How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download
Bible Girl & the Bad Boy--FREE Download
The Golden Sky--FREE Download
Zombie Man--FREE DOwnload
Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales--FREE Download
Open Doors 1--FREE Download
Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv
Feel free to join up anytime from May 27th-31st. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life.
For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days
Here's the button for the blogfest:
After the blogfest (if participating authors are interested and posts are approved) Wayman Publishing would like to publish an anthology from the posts written during this blogfest. ALL profit for this (through 2013) will be donated to charity! The kindness will spread even more.
Please leave a comment or sign up here :
As a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).
The Sword of Senack--FREE Download
Honk of Zagonk--FREE Download
Middle Damned--FREE Download
A Cat's Legacy--FREE Download
How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download
Bible Girl & the Bad Boy--FREE Download
The Golden Sky--FREE Download
Zombie Man--FREE DOwnload
Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales--FREE Download
Open Doors 1--FREE Download
Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv
Feel free to join up anytime from May 27th-31st. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life.
For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days
Here's the button for the blogfest:
***
As a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).
The Sword of Senack--FREE Download
Honk of Zagonk--FREE Download
Middle Damned--FREE Download
A Cat's Legacy--FREE Download
How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download
Bible Girl & the Bad Boy--FREE Download
The Golden Sky--FREE Download
Zombie Man--FREE DOwnload
Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales--FREE Download
Open Doors 1--FREE Download
Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv
Feel free to join up anytime from May 27th-31st. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life.
For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days
Here's the button for the blogfest:
Grab this code (above) if you'd like to share this entire post.
May 24, 2013
Calling ALL Bloggers and Authors: REMINDER for the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest!
Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest
May 27th-31st I'm having a huge blogfest where people can share love and joy, by writing about random acts of kindness that have been bestowed upon them in their lives. Imagine, visiting the blogosphere and reading about so much hope!
If you have a blog, would you sign up and write something for this? If you don't have a blog, would you refer people to this link, so the word will spread?
For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days, just make sure your main post is up on May 27th--that's the post I'll link to the blogfest :)
Here's the button for the blogfest:
Please leave a comment or sign up at the bottom of this post!
Random Acts of Kindness Anthology
After the blogfest (if participating authors are interested and posts are approved) Wayman Publishing would like to publish an anthology from the posts written during this blogfest. ALL profit for this (through 2013) will be donated to charity! The kindness will spread even more.
This is the donation Wayman made from the last anthology,
Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales .
Giveaway
If you add the following info in your blog post, then you can email your blog post link to waymansweepstakes(at)gmail.com and you'll get five entries, for a chance to win the iPad Mini!
Info to add (listed in italics):
Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books—some only 99 cents—and automatically be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv
Want to join the blogfest? Go HERE to sign up!
Will you join me?
I can't do this without you. Will you help me make this event an amazing experience for everyone involved? You've all been so kind to me. The iPad Mini was an AMAZING act of kindness. I want the kindness and joy to spread.
If you'd like to be part of this blogfest, May 27th-31st,
Please leave a comment or sign up here :
May 23, 2013
How NOT to Tell Your Child About Maturation!
"What's maturation?" my eleven-year-old Scribe asked me.
"Ur . . . Well . . ." Then I remembered, when in doubt, answer a question with a question. "Why, darling?" I asked, donning an awkward smile.
"My teacher says we're having a maturation class this week."
Oh. My. Gosh. I just knew I'd die. My own "maturation" lesson had been terrible. As a gangly youth--the tallest girl in my class--I was simply a twig with pimples. I laughed through the whole facts-of-life-speech. Then when I got home, I asked my mom, "What's sex?" My sister kindly volunteered to tell me. Thinking I'd already learned enough in school, she pulled out a college biology textbook and showed me something that looked like a funnel and something that looked like a test tube with veins.
"When these two beautiful things come together. A baby is made."
It seemed scientific AND confusing. And definitely NOT beautiful. Whatever the hell those things were, I hoped I'd never come across them in real life! Little did I know that--God forbid--I had one!
The Scribe brought me from my thoughts. "What is maturation?"
I had to distract her. "Your teacher finds out what's she's having soon, right? I bet she's so excited to be pregnant."
"Mom! Stop dodging the question."
What could I tell her? After all, being clueless once, I told my mom, "I can't believe each octopus has eight testicles." She turned so red that it looked like she'd eaten a frog!
"Tentacles, honey. Tentacles ."
I shook my heard and turned to the Scribe. "Fine." I swallowed hard. "Maturation is when you get to find out where babies come from."
The Scribe thought for a moment. "I hope my teacher will be able to learn from the class. Since she's having a baby, I bet she'd love to know where it came from."
I busted with laughter. Is that how my mom felt when I'd had the tentacle conundrum in my youth?
"Mom, do you want to tell me before the class?" the Scribe asked.
Was that a good idea? Especially after my own experiences of not knowing. Like the time in Jr. High when a girl told me she swallowed something and thought she was pregnant. I just kept wondering, "Swallowed what?" It'd come from a funnel or a test tube--I just KNEW it! Or maybe she'd swallowed one of those birth control pills!
So, maybe it would be better if I told the Scribe everything. "I'm not sure, babe."
"I understand," she said. "I've heard you might want to check me out of school after the class. It can be pretty traumatic for the parents."
I raised a brow. That's when I decided to give her "the talk." And apparently I suck at giving sex talks. Half-way through a realization dawned on the Scribe. She stared at me and yelled, "You've done this! YOU did this . . . and that's where I came from? Oh man! Man! And my teacher. . . . She's going to have a baby. Oh man!"
That poor teacher. The maturation class is today. She might get a lot of accusing glares from the kids today.
Anyway, now the Scribe knows I'm not a virgin--I guess you do too. But seriously--she didn't even like the tentacle story! Then this morning she refused to go to school, saying she never wants to see another boy again and that she never wants to have kids or to get married. She followed all of this up by saying I should've just showed her a funnel and a test tube!
This too shall pass, but for right now, I really hate talking about the birds and the bees. At least the Scribe finally went to school. I'm meeting her around two for the official maturation class at school. Can the apocalypse happen right before this? Please? Because THAT would be easier to deal with.
How did your first "sex talk" go when it was given to you or your kids?
"Ur . . . Well . . ." Then I remembered, when in doubt, answer a question with a question. "Why, darling?" I asked, donning an awkward smile.
"My teacher says we're having a maturation class this week."
Oh. My. Gosh. I just knew I'd die. My own "maturation" lesson had been terrible. As a gangly youth--the tallest girl in my class--I was simply a twig with pimples. I laughed through the whole facts-of-life-speech. Then when I got home, I asked my mom, "What's sex?" My sister kindly volunteered to tell me. Thinking I'd already learned enough in school, she pulled out a college biology textbook and showed me something that looked like a funnel and something that looked like a test tube with veins.
"When these two beautiful things come together. A baby is made."
It seemed scientific AND confusing. And definitely NOT beautiful. Whatever the hell those things were, I hoped I'd never come across them in real life! Little did I know that--God forbid--I had one!
The Scribe brought me from my thoughts. "What is maturation?"
I had to distract her. "Your teacher finds out what's she's having soon, right? I bet she's so excited to be pregnant."
"Mom! Stop dodging the question."
What could I tell her? After all, being clueless once, I told my mom, "I can't believe each octopus has eight testicles." She turned so red that it looked like she'd eaten a frog!
"Tentacles, honey. Tentacles ."
I shook my heard and turned to the Scribe. "Fine." I swallowed hard. "Maturation is when you get to find out where babies come from."
The Scribe thought for a moment. "I hope my teacher will be able to learn from the class. Since she's having a baby, I bet she'd love to know where it came from."
I busted with laughter. Is that how my mom felt when I'd had the tentacle conundrum in my youth?
"Mom, do you want to tell me before the class?" the Scribe asked.
Was that a good idea? Especially after my own experiences of not knowing. Like the time in Jr. High when a girl told me she swallowed something and thought she was pregnant. I just kept wondering, "Swallowed what?" It'd come from a funnel or a test tube--I just KNEW it! Or maybe she'd swallowed one of those birth control pills!
So, maybe it would be better if I told the Scribe everything. "I'm not sure, babe."
"I understand," she said. "I've heard you might want to check me out of school after the class. It can be pretty traumatic for the parents."
I raised a brow. That's when I decided to give her "the talk." And apparently I suck at giving sex talks. Half-way through a realization dawned on the Scribe. She stared at me and yelled, "You've done this! YOU did this . . . and that's where I came from? Oh man! Man! And my teacher. . . . She's going to have a baby. Oh man!"
That poor teacher. The maturation class is today. She might get a lot of accusing glares from the kids today.
Anyway, now the Scribe knows I'm not a virgin--I guess you do too. But seriously--she didn't even like the tentacle story! Then this morning she refused to go to school, saying she never wants to see another boy again and that she never wants to have kids or to get married. She followed all of this up by saying I should've just showed her a funnel and a test tube!
This too shall pass, but for right now, I really hate talking about the birds and the bees. At least the Scribe finally went to school. I'm meeting her around two for the official maturation class at school. Can the apocalypse happen right before this? Please? Because THAT would be easier to deal with.
How did your first "sex talk" go when it was given to you or your kids?
May 20, 2013
I dated a guy in a wheelchair
I dated a guy in a wheelchair. Yeah. I don't need any awards, not really. Plus, it was just one date. And I was hell-bent on making it a wonderful time for the guy. His legs didn't worked, but at least he had me. Part-way through the appetizer I decided I'd marry the guy.
I didn't particularly like his personality, but he'd become paralyzed in an accident, so--what the heck--I'd sacrifice my life to entertain him.
I was sixteen. Smart enough to realize our marriage might not be that great--solely because my torso was longer than his. When we went to a movie later that night, he sat three inches shorter than me. I bent my giraffe-like neck, trying to rest my head on his shoulder. But his shoulder was far lower than mine, and after a while my crooked neck pulsed with pain.
The movie looked weird sideways--but who cared--I was putting my head on this guy's shoulder 'cause he was in a wheelchair. My vision blurred. Blood went into my forehead and I nearly blacked out.
We still didn't get along too well, but it was more romantic than dying in love's embrace. So I kinda grew teary-eyed, thinking how bad my neck hurt for love. Someday we'd get married. I'd be in a neck brace and he'd be in his wheelchair. Yeah.
When I was sixteen, I had the best intentions. It's a good thing the guy didn't marry me--the worst thing that could've happened to him. He may have been in a wheelchair, but I was the one with an underdeveloped brain.
Anyway, I thought about this memory and laughed out loud. Did you ever do something completely stupid when you were a teenager on a date?
I didn't particularly like his personality, but he'd become paralyzed in an accident, so--what the heck--I'd sacrifice my life to entertain him.
I was sixteen. Smart enough to realize our marriage might not be that great--solely because my torso was longer than his. When we went to a movie later that night, he sat three inches shorter than me. I bent my giraffe-like neck, trying to rest my head on his shoulder. But his shoulder was far lower than mine, and after a while my crooked neck pulsed with pain.
The movie looked weird sideways--but who cared--I was putting my head on this guy's shoulder 'cause he was in a wheelchair. My vision blurred. Blood went into my forehead and I nearly blacked out.
We still didn't get along too well, but it was more romantic than dying in love's embrace. So I kinda grew teary-eyed, thinking how bad my neck hurt for love. Someday we'd get married. I'd be in a neck brace and he'd be in his wheelchair. Yeah.
When I was sixteen, I had the best intentions. It's a good thing the guy didn't marry me--the worst thing that could've happened to him. He may have been in a wheelchair, but I was the one with an underdeveloped brain.
Anyway, I thought about this memory and laughed out loud. Did you ever do something completely stupid when you were a teenager on a date?
May 17, 2013
Random Acts of Kindness Week #7--A Fisherman With Mike's Fishing Charters
My dad and I decided to catch some fish. We got on the boat and
introduced ourselves to the three-man crew. Captain Joaquin had a handshake I'll never forget. So much kindness and confidence shone in his eyes as he told us about his boat, Isabela, and how that particular day was Mother's Day in Mexico. The two other hands--who'd help us fish--quickly introduced themselves as Pablo, the captain's nephew, and Mariano.
After sailing farther into the
open sea, the Mexican waters rumbled underneath us, making the boat rock
left and right. The sun beat down and a few fish jumped out of the
water in front of us, their scales sparkling like a frozen margarita I drank the night before.
As we skipped across the endless ocean, I sidled to Isabela's prow and instantly remembered a story I had told my daughter after my son passed away.
My Dad took this picture in that moment.
“Why did he leave us, Mama? Why?” My daughter asked years ago. I couldn't believe how she could ask such hard questions, even at the age of four. She sniffled and I held her closer.
“Hush,” I crooned as she clung to my arm.
“I don't understand.” She
cried hard.
“Why didn't he wake up? Why did he go away?”
I
wanted to tell her it's because life is hard, because life isn't fair.
It's because I couldn't keep my baby, no matter how hard I wanted to.
But, even though I wished I could tell her all that, I didn't. I
remained quiet for a long time. Then I cooed to her,
sang into her golden curls. That's when I told her Zeke's story one
more time.
“Once, in a faraway land, there was a strange castle by the sea. In that castle lived some very special children named Ruby and Zeke.”
“I like this story. Can Zeke stay with me this time?”
“I wish he could, but that's not how the story goes.”
She hesitated. “Well, then, I want to go with him.”
That
made my heart tighten. I hugged Ruby. I couldn't imagine her following
her brother--couldn't comprehend losing her too.
“Tell me the part about when the witch comes,” Ruby said.
“Well, one day, a deadly, powerful witch found the castle. She was
cunning and wise. She knew how amazing the children living there were, and
that's when she decided to take one of you deep into the ocean.”
“But I was too smart.”
“Yes, you were,” I said. “You outwitted that witch.”
“But Zeke?”
“He had to go away.”
“Why, Mama? Was it because the witch was too smart for him?”
“Oh, no,” I said. I always had to breathe deeply when I got to that part. “Zeke let her take him.”
“But why?”
“Because he knew how to really defeat the witch. He
knew if he went, he'd bring about her doom. You see, she thought she'd
take his life, but he knew better. He knew that, if he went, he'd get to
meet pirates, mermaids. He'd have sword-fights and battle sea
creatures.” I looked at the cloudy sky. It reminded me of my conflicted
emotions. Somehow, every time I told the story, I saw something symbolic
to Zeke's months on Earth. “Adventure awaited him.” I sighed. “If he
went with the deadly witch, then, and only then, could he truly live.”
I blinked the memory away and looked out at the glistening Pacific Ocean. Death can be terrible. I felt so alone then, wondering if anyone sailing in the ocean that day knew what it's like to lose a child. For a moment I wished someone on that boat could understand. Was I just hurting because it was Mother's Day? And why was I still hurting about something that happened so many years ago. I stood straight and told myself to knock it off! "God," I silently willed Him to help me celebrate life that wonderful day in Mexico, "please let something amazing happen." As I prayed we cruised into an entire army of birds. They dive-bombed the water's surface, cawing and splashing. I thought one might poop on me. I couldn't help laughing--was this God's idea of irony?
Then Captain Joaquin suddenly yelled and pointed. "Ballena! Ballena! Delfíns!" I looked to the side of the boat and saw two humpback whales and a group of dolphins.
My dad ran up next to me and we could hardly believe our good fortune. Whale watching season had ended two months before--yet a mother and baby swam right by the boat on Mother's Day!
Then it was Mariano's turn to yell with excitement. "We've hooked two big fish!"
My dad and I started reeling them in. With Pablo and Mariano's expert help, we were able to pull them in rather quickly.
My dad is such a Viking--he makes fishing for forty pounders look easy.
That gift wasn't genetic!
Here are some fish we caught.
Well, I bet you're wondering what this has to do with random acts of kindness. It's all because of the crew, especially Mariano.
Whatever fish are given to Mariano, he gives to people in need. We caught ten big tuna, and he planned to give them to Mothers on Mother's Day. He knew one woman in particular who'd just had a baby and couldn't find a job. He hoped a large fish like that would help them for quite a while.
He laughed and joked with my amazing father. Then it was my turn; I told him how I'm an author and how I wrote a fantasy story about pirates and mermaids--about a boy who went deep into the ocean. "I'm writing the sequel," I confided, "and I think the three of you might end up as pirates!"
He laughed so hard.
I thought again about Zeke and decided it had been so silly to wonder earlier if anyone sailing the ocean that Mother's Day knew what it's like to lose a child. Why had I been so sad when so much joy was waiting there the whole time?
It wasn't until later, when we were about to say goodbye, that Mariano pulled me aside. He said he felt like telling me something; that's when he shared the story of his courageous daughter who'd bravely fought cancer before she went to Heaven at the age of fourteen. "Hard times can happen," he said, "but they happen for a reason."
I wanted to hug him. A load lifted from my heart. He smiled, seeming like he knew exactly how I felt. He was a kindred spirit, an amazing fisherman, and a generous soul.
It was the most amazing fishing trip ever. I'm heading over to Tripadvisor HERE to leave a special review for Mike's Fishing Charters. I'm taking Janie Junebug's lead on this one, and asking for you to help me with this week's act of kindness. If you have time, would you go leave a positive review for Mariano, Pablo and Joaquin--the fishermen who made my father's and my vacation even more wonderful than I'd dreamed of.
Here's that direct link if you need it: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150793-d2446348-Reviews-Mike_s_Fishing_Charter-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html
Thank you!
Also, check out the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
introduced ourselves to the three-man crew. Captain Joaquin had a handshake I'll never forget. So much kindness and confidence shone in his eyes as he told us about his boat, Isabela, and how that particular day was Mother's Day in Mexico. The two other hands--who'd help us fish--quickly introduced themselves as Pablo, the captain's nephew, and Mariano.
After sailing farther into the
open sea, the Mexican waters rumbled underneath us, making the boat rock
left and right. The sun beat down and a few fish jumped out of the
water in front of us, their scales sparkling like a frozen margarita I drank the night before.
As we skipped across the endless ocean, I sidled to Isabela's prow and instantly remembered a story I had told my daughter after my son passed away.
My Dad took this picture in that moment.
“Why did he leave us, Mama? Why?” My daughter asked years ago. I couldn't believe how she could ask such hard questions, even at the age of four. She sniffled and I held her closer.
“Hush,” I crooned as she clung to my arm.
“I don't understand.” She
cried hard.
“Why didn't he wake up? Why did he go away?”
I
wanted to tell her it's because life is hard, because life isn't fair.
It's because I couldn't keep my baby, no matter how hard I wanted to.
But, even though I wished I could tell her all that, I didn't. I
remained quiet for a long time. Then I cooed to her,
sang into her golden curls. That's when I told her Zeke's story one
more time.
“Once, in a faraway land, there was a strange castle by the sea. In that castle lived some very special children named Ruby and Zeke.”
“I like this story. Can Zeke stay with me this time?”
“I wish he could, but that's not how the story goes.”
She hesitated. “Well, then, I want to go with him.”
That
made my heart tighten. I hugged Ruby. I couldn't imagine her following
her brother--couldn't comprehend losing her too.
“Tell me the part about when the witch comes,” Ruby said.
“Well, one day, a deadly, powerful witch found the castle. She was
cunning and wise. She knew how amazing the children living there were, and
that's when she decided to take one of you deep into the ocean.”
“But I was too smart.”
“Yes, you were,” I said. “You outwitted that witch.”
“But Zeke?”
“He had to go away.”
“Why, Mama? Was it because the witch was too smart for him?”
“Oh, no,” I said. I always had to breathe deeply when I got to that part. “Zeke let her take him.”
“But why?”
“Because he knew how to really defeat the witch. He
knew if he went, he'd bring about her doom. You see, she thought she'd
take his life, but he knew better. He knew that, if he went, he'd get to
meet pirates, mermaids. He'd have sword-fights and battle sea
creatures.” I looked at the cloudy sky. It reminded me of my conflicted
emotions. Somehow, every time I told the story, I saw something symbolic
to Zeke's months on Earth. “Adventure awaited him.” I sighed. “If he
went with the deadly witch, then, and only then, could he truly live.”
I blinked the memory away and looked out at the glistening Pacific Ocean. Death can be terrible. I felt so alone then, wondering if anyone sailing in the ocean that day knew what it's like to lose a child. For a moment I wished someone on that boat could understand. Was I just hurting because it was Mother's Day? And why was I still hurting about something that happened so many years ago. I stood straight and told myself to knock it off! "God," I silently willed Him to help me celebrate life that wonderful day in Mexico, "please let something amazing happen." As I prayed we cruised into an entire army of birds. They dive-bombed the water's surface, cawing and splashing. I thought one might poop on me. I couldn't help laughing--was this God's idea of irony?
Then Captain Joaquin suddenly yelled and pointed. "Ballena! Ballena! Delfíns!" I looked to the side of the boat and saw two humpback whales and a group of dolphins.
My dad ran up next to me and we could hardly believe our good fortune. Whale watching season had ended two months before--yet a mother and baby swam right by the boat on Mother's Day!
Then it was Mariano's turn to yell with excitement. "We've hooked two big fish!"
My dad and I started reeling them in. With Pablo and Mariano's expert help, we were able to pull them in rather quickly.
My dad is such a Viking--he makes fishing for forty pounders look easy.
That gift wasn't genetic!
Here are some fish we caught.
Well, I bet you're wondering what this has to do with random acts of kindness. It's all because of the crew, especially Mariano.
Whatever fish are given to Mariano, he gives to people in need. We caught ten big tuna, and he planned to give them to Mothers on Mother's Day. He knew one woman in particular who'd just had a baby and couldn't find a job. He hoped a large fish like that would help them for quite a while.
He laughed and joked with my amazing father. Then it was my turn; I told him how I'm an author and how I wrote a fantasy story about pirates and mermaids--about a boy who went deep into the ocean. "I'm writing the sequel," I confided, "and I think the three of you might end up as pirates!"
He laughed so hard.
I thought again about Zeke and decided it had been so silly to wonder earlier if anyone sailing the ocean that Mother's Day knew what it's like to lose a child. Why had I been so sad when so much joy was waiting there the whole time?
It wasn't until later, when we were about to say goodbye, that Mariano pulled me aside. He said he felt like telling me something; that's when he shared the story of his courageous daughter who'd bravely fought cancer before she went to Heaven at the age of fourteen. "Hard times can happen," he said, "but they happen for a reason."
I wanted to hug him. A load lifted from my heart. He smiled, seeming like he knew exactly how I felt. He was a kindred spirit, an amazing fisherman, and a generous soul.
It was the most amazing fishing trip ever. I'm heading over to Tripadvisor HERE to leave a special review for Mike's Fishing Charters. I'm taking Janie Junebug's lead on this one, and asking for you to help me with this week's act of kindness. If you have time, would you go leave a positive review for Mariano, Pablo and Joaquin--the fishermen who made my father's and my vacation even more wonderful than I'd dreamed of.
Here's that direct link if you need it: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150793-d2446348-Reviews-Mike_s_Fishing_Charter-Puerto_Vallarta_Pacific_Coast.html
Thank you!
Also, check out the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
May 16, 2013
We ran into a crocodile in Mexico!
Here are some pictures from our vacation. Tomorrow, I'll write about a fisherman in Puerto Vallarta who blessed my life.
Top Row: Cade, Me, My Mom, My Dad
Middle Row: The Hippie, The Scribe
Bottom Row: Dr. Jones, The Zombie Elf
Before breakfast at the resort.
Yep, my mom put her glasses on the Zombie Elf. He's a ham!
A crocodile we saw.
See it down below?
It heard the baby crying and swam right over to us!~
These statues at the Grand Mayan in Puerto Nuevo were well over fifty feet tall. I LOVED this--it made me realize how small my problems really are.
Doctor Jones
The Scribe took this of my new dress from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
It had chocolate stains on it, so I got it for 1/2 price!
Yahoo for chocolate. Too bad all of the stains didn't come out--they're pretty hard to see though.
I'll be writing more about this tomorrow.
Wait 'til you see what else my dad and I caught!
The Scribe caught a lizard. No wonder she's friends with all the boys at school!
Cade and the babies are so much fun!
I'll write about the fisherman tomorrow. Have a great night.
Top Row: Cade, Me, My Mom, My Dad
Middle Row: The Hippie, The Scribe
Bottom Row: Dr. Jones, The Zombie Elf
Before breakfast at the resort.
Yep, my mom put her glasses on the Zombie Elf. He's a ham!
A crocodile we saw.
See it down below?
It heard the baby crying and swam right over to us!~
These statues at the Grand Mayan in Puerto Nuevo were well over fifty feet tall. I LOVED this--it made me realize how small my problems really are.
Doctor Jones
The Scribe took this of my new dress from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
It had chocolate stains on it, so I got it for 1/2 price!
Yahoo for chocolate. Too bad all of the stains didn't come out--they're pretty hard to see though.
I'll be writing more about this tomorrow.
Wait 'til you see what else my dad and I caught!
The Scribe caught a lizard. No wonder she's friends with all the boys at school!
Cade and the babies are so much fun!
I'll write about the fisherman tomorrow. Have a great night.
May 10, 2013
Random Acts of Kindness Week #6--My Late Son's Birthday & a Miraculous Angel
Zeke Jackson was born on 11/18. At the end of January the following year, he died in my arms.
Zeke would have been ten years old.
I'll never forget him or the lessons he taught me.
This post is written for the
Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest
Click HERE to sign up.
A Miraculous Angel
The computer tech reminded me of a young version of Mr. Miyagi, wise and reassuring. At the quaint computer store, Miyagi Jr. quietly accessed my laptop and said he could fix it immediately and be done within a half hour. So I waited and before realizing what happened, that man gave my four kids candy--we joked and laughed about life--my mood AND the mood of the store changed, becoming brighter.
When it came time to pay, he wouldn't let me. "This is on me," he said.
"You have to let me pay," I said. "Look at all the work you've done."
He eyed me thoughtfully, stroking his long goatee. I thought he might see straight through me. Maybe he'd understand that something rested beyond my joking and laughter. Zeke's birthday was fast approaching and I didn't want to feel the ache that day always brings.
Miyagi Jr. nodded and said, "There's a pizza place around the corner. A man always works there at this time. If you'd really like to thank me, go order a pizza and visit with the man who's working there. Visit with him just like you visited with me."
Visit with the man? It sounded strange. What could he possibly mean? It was my turn to study him. "All right," I finally said, then grabbed my youngest kids' hands and stepped toward the door.
Just as the bell rang above the exit and I walked outside, I heard another tech ask Mr. Miyagi, "Are you sure you should send her over there? You know what happens when some people go there when he's workin--" The door shut and I didn't hear another word.
"Mama, where are we going now?" my four-year-old son asked as I buckled him in his seat.
I inhaled a big breath. "Well, that nice man wouldn't let me pay. So we're going to buy him a pizza."
The pizza place was tucked back at the edge of a dilapidated parking lot. People swarmed to other businesses around, but no one went to the forlorn restaurant.
"You stay in the car. Keep an eye on the babies," I told my oldest daughters.
"Mom, are you sure you should go? This whole thing sounds weird," my second-oldest daughter said.
"I'm just getting a pizza. The computer tech needs to get something for all of his hard work." I turned music on for the kids, stepped from the car and locked the black doors.
The pizza place didn't have tables, chairs or benches. But the spotless counter gave me a good impression. As the smell of fresh breadsticks wafted toward me, my insides warmed with childhood memories. I stepped forward and rang the metal bell.
"Hello?" I said. "Hello?" Someone moved in the shadows at the far end of the kitchen.
A man lumbered forward. At first I couldn't see his face because he'd turned it down and away.
"Those breadsticks smell amazing!" I said. Then he fully turned toward me and I gasped.
The left side of his face was so handsome. He had a striking brown eye and perfectly dark skin. But the other side of his face drooped and bulged. The forehead on his right side stretched a fist taller than the rest of his face. His right eye couldn't open, nestled below his nose.
Click the picture for more information about how to help people with this condition.
"What do you want?" he mumbled.
I nearly cried, feeling so badly for gasping seconds before. I blinked hard, collecting myself, and instantly donned a smile.
"How are you today?" I asked brightly.
"I'm . . . all right," he said, turning so I only saw his profile. "And you?"
"I'm having a fantastic day. I went to that computer repair place over there. They fixed my computer for free. So I'd like to order a large peperoni pizza for them."
His curious eye darted toward mine. "They've been very good to me as well." His words came out slowly and cautiously.
I wanted to make an impact, then. But how? I could have told him that my first son had birth defects. Explain how Zeke had a cleft lip and palate. My stomach knotted, remembering how I'd wanted Zeke to be born perfect, live a good life, and die long after I did. I looked at the pizza man and wondered for the millionth time, why do birth defects exist?
But instead of talking about Zeke, Miyagi Jr.'s words drifted into my mind. Visit with him just like you visited with me.
So I shot the bull with him as he made the pizza. I told jokes about how I worked at a pizza place once. "When I was on the clock, they were always running out of pineapple," I said. "It's my weakness, really."
"I know what you mean," he mumbled, then laughed. "I always eat the pineapple too. It's a good weakness though."
"Agreed."
When he finished the peperoni-extra-cheese, he came over to the counter. "Don't worry about bringing this to them. I'll bring it for you and tell them an angel bought them lunch."
I've been a lot of things, but I've never been someone's angel. As I gazed into the man's eye, I thought of how hard I try doing everything right--so I can see my son in Heaven. But I never feel good enough. Tears welled in my eyes and I couldn't look away from the man. No. I wasn't an angel, he was--smiling and laughing despite his lot in life. It could take years to learn what that man had suddenly taught me about gratitude.
I lingered because so much kindness shone from his deep, dark eye. "Thank you. You have yourself a wonderful day," I said, turning to leave.
Just as I pushed the door open, he stopped me. "Wait," he said, and I turned. "Thanks for coming in here today. It's a cruel world out there, but people like you make it a better place."
I held the door open for a minute longer. "Not people like me," I said. "Wonderful people like you." I smiled one last time. "Hey, enjoy the pineapple, it is the best part of working at a pizza place."
"I will," he promised and I left the store.
As I drove home, clouds grayed the sky overhead. The sun shone brightly in the east, shedding light even through the storm. I told my kids the story. "I don't know who was more of an angel, the pizza man or Miyagi Jr."
"Mom, you haven't said a word about the guy's face. I saw him through the window. Didn't you notice something was really wrong with him?"
There hadn't been a reason to mention his physical defects. "He was born with problems like Zeke was. But just like Zeke, he was beautiful inside. It makes me wonder though. . . . Why do you think the computer tech sent me to the pizza place?" I asked my oldest daughter.
"Maybe he realized you treat everyone with the same kindness no matter what. That says a lot about you, Mom."
"No," I sniffled. "It says a lot about him."
I pulled off and parked on the side of the road after that. I got out and looked into the storming sky. I thought about my book The G olden Sky --the book about how God and Zeke changed my perception--how sometimes beauty comes right after the storms of life.
As I gazed at the widening clouds, a raindrop fell on my nose and somehow I felt like Zeke was looking down on me, beaming.
If you're reading this it means that I've successfully scheduled a post. Yahoo! I'm in Mexico right now and will be back just after Mother's Day. Have an awesome week.
-Elisa
Zeke would have been ten years old.
I'll never forget him or the lessons he taught me.
This post is written for the
Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest
Click HERE to sign up.
A Miraculous Angel
The computer tech reminded me of a young version of Mr. Miyagi, wise and reassuring. At the quaint computer store, Miyagi Jr. quietly accessed my laptop and said he could fix it immediately and be done within a half hour. So I waited and before realizing what happened, that man gave my four kids candy--we joked and laughed about life--my mood AND the mood of the store changed, becoming brighter.
When it came time to pay, he wouldn't let me. "This is on me," he said.
"You have to let me pay," I said. "Look at all the work you've done."
He eyed me thoughtfully, stroking his long goatee. I thought he might see straight through me. Maybe he'd understand that something rested beyond my joking and laughter. Zeke's birthday was fast approaching and I didn't want to feel the ache that day always brings.
Miyagi Jr. nodded and said, "There's a pizza place around the corner. A man always works there at this time. If you'd really like to thank me, go order a pizza and visit with the man who's working there. Visit with him just like you visited with me."
Visit with the man? It sounded strange. What could he possibly mean? It was my turn to study him. "All right," I finally said, then grabbed my youngest kids' hands and stepped toward the door.
Just as the bell rang above the exit and I walked outside, I heard another tech ask Mr. Miyagi, "Are you sure you should send her over there? You know what happens when some people go there when he's workin--" The door shut and I didn't hear another word.
"Mama, where are we going now?" my four-year-old son asked as I buckled him in his seat.
I inhaled a big breath. "Well, that nice man wouldn't let me pay. So we're going to buy him a pizza."
The pizza place was tucked back at the edge of a dilapidated parking lot. People swarmed to other businesses around, but no one went to the forlorn restaurant.
"You stay in the car. Keep an eye on the babies," I told my oldest daughters.
"Mom, are you sure you should go? This whole thing sounds weird," my second-oldest daughter said.
"I'm just getting a pizza. The computer tech needs to get something for all of his hard work." I turned music on for the kids, stepped from the car and locked the black doors.
The pizza place didn't have tables, chairs or benches. But the spotless counter gave me a good impression. As the smell of fresh breadsticks wafted toward me, my insides warmed with childhood memories. I stepped forward and rang the metal bell.
"Hello?" I said. "Hello?" Someone moved in the shadows at the far end of the kitchen.
A man lumbered forward. At first I couldn't see his face because he'd turned it down and away.
"Those breadsticks smell amazing!" I said. Then he fully turned toward me and I gasped.
The left side of his face was so handsome. He had a striking brown eye and perfectly dark skin. But the other side of his face drooped and bulged. The forehead on his right side stretched a fist taller than the rest of his face. His right eye couldn't open, nestled below his nose.
Click the picture for more information about how to help people with this condition.
"What do you want?" he mumbled.
I nearly cried, feeling so badly for gasping seconds before. I blinked hard, collecting myself, and instantly donned a smile.
"How are you today?" I asked brightly.
"I'm . . . all right," he said, turning so I only saw his profile. "And you?"
"I'm having a fantastic day. I went to that computer repair place over there. They fixed my computer for free. So I'd like to order a large peperoni pizza for them."
His curious eye darted toward mine. "They've been very good to me as well." His words came out slowly and cautiously.
I wanted to make an impact, then. But how? I could have told him that my first son had birth defects. Explain how Zeke had a cleft lip and palate. My stomach knotted, remembering how I'd wanted Zeke to be born perfect, live a good life, and die long after I did. I looked at the pizza man and wondered for the millionth time, why do birth defects exist?
But instead of talking about Zeke, Miyagi Jr.'s words drifted into my mind. Visit with him just like you visited with me.
So I shot the bull with him as he made the pizza. I told jokes about how I worked at a pizza place once. "When I was on the clock, they were always running out of pineapple," I said. "It's my weakness, really."
"I know what you mean," he mumbled, then laughed. "I always eat the pineapple too. It's a good weakness though."
"Agreed."
When he finished the peperoni-extra-cheese, he came over to the counter. "Don't worry about bringing this to them. I'll bring it for you and tell them an angel bought them lunch."
I've been a lot of things, but I've never been someone's angel. As I gazed into the man's eye, I thought of how hard I try doing everything right--so I can see my son in Heaven. But I never feel good enough. Tears welled in my eyes and I couldn't look away from the man. No. I wasn't an angel, he was--smiling and laughing despite his lot in life. It could take years to learn what that man had suddenly taught me about gratitude.
I lingered because so much kindness shone from his deep, dark eye. "Thank you. You have yourself a wonderful day," I said, turning to leave.
Just as I pushed the door open, he stopped me. "Wait," he said, and I turned. "Thanks for coming in here today. It's a cruel world out there, but people like you make it a better place."
I held the door open for a minute longer. "Not people like me," I said. "Wonderful people like you." I smiled one last time. "Hey, enjoy the pineapple, it is the best part of working at a pizza place."
"I will," he promised and I left the store.
As I drove home, clouds grayed the sky overhead. The sun shone brightly in the east, shedding light even through the storm. I told my kids the story. "I don't know who was more of an angel, the pizza man or Miyagi Jr."
"Mom, you haven't said a word about the guy's face. I saw him through the window. Didn't you notice something was really wrong with him?"
There hadn't been a reason to mention his physical defects. "He was born with problems like Zeke was. But just like Zeke, he was beautiful inside. It makes me wonder though. . . . Why do you think the computer tech sent me to the pizza place?" I asked my oldest daughter.
"Maybe he realized you treat everyone with the same kindness no matter what. That says a lot about you, Mom."
"No," I sniffled. "It says a lot about him."
I pulled off and parked on the side of the road after that. I got out and looked into the storming sky. I thought about my book The G olden Sky --the book about how God and Zeke changed my perception--how sometimes beauty comes right after the storms of life.
As I gazed at the widening clouds, a raindrop fell on my nose and somehow I felt like Zeke was looking down on me, beaming.
If you're reading this it means that I've successfully scheduled a post. Yahoo! I'm in Mexico right now and will be back just after Mother's Day. Have an awesome week.
-Elisa
May 3, 2013
Random Acts of Kindness Week #5--A Miraculous Blessing From Little Caesars' Corporate Office
Something amazing happened on Wednesday.
Let me explain . . .
Do you remember when I wrote about this:
Random Acts of Kindness Week #2 -- Little Caesars Harlem Shake
Well, this Wednesday, I checked Wayman Publishing's mailbox and Little Caesars sent me two $20.00
Little Caesars gift cards and the sweetest letter! I started crying
after I read it. The guy (from a Michigan office) found my post and
decided to pay it forward. He
asked me to give one $20 card to someone else--I'll tell you about that in a minute--and to keep the other one to use for my family. I'm still in
shock. I LOVE Little Caesars!
Here's the letter they sent to me:
So I was really excited,and I decided to tell the wonderful man who normally works mornings at that US Post Office.
John is an amazing man. He always treats everyone with respect and helps however he can. He's very efficient and because of him, and the other awesome employees there, I drive to another city, just so I can go to that post office.
As I told John about the letter from Little Caesars, I immediately realized that I should give one of the gift cards to him. I smiled thinking how the last two times I've tried to give random gifts to "strangers," the recipients both ended up being people who'd been kind to me in the past! (Remember the flowers and the Barnes & Noble Gift Card?)
John seemed excited about the gift card. I hope he knows how much all of the customers appreciate his kindness and thoughtfulness.
Well, I'm leaving to Mexico this week. But I'll still have something posted next Friday--a past Random Act of Kindness that blessed my heart.
Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
Other big news?
My humorous novella/audiobook, "How to Avoid Having Sex," was just featured on CBS News HERE
And FOX News: HERE
I'm floating on air!
What a wonderful week.
Let me explain . . .
Do you remember when I wrote about this:
Random Acts of Kindness Week #2 -- Little Caesars Harlem Shake
Well, this Wednesday, I checked Wayman Publishing's mailbox and Little Caesars sent me two $20.00
Little Caesars gift cards and the sweetest letter! I started crying
after I read it. The guy (from a Michigan office) found my post and
decided to pay it forward. He
asked me to give one $20 card to someone else--I'll tell you about that in a minute--and to keep the other one to use for my family. I'm still in
shock. I LOVE Little Caesars!
Here's the letter they sent to me:
So I was really excited,and I decided to tell the wonderful man who normally works mornings at that US Post Office.
John is an amazing man. He always treats everyone with respect and helps however he can. He's very efficient and because of him, and the other awesome employees there, I drive to another city, just so I can go to that post office.
As I told John about the letter from Little Caesars, I immediately realized that I should give one of the gift cards to him. I smiled thinking how the last two times I've tried to give random gifts to "strangers," the recipients both ended up being people who'd been kind to me in the past! (Remember the flowers and the Barnes & Noble Gift Card?)
John seemed excited about the gift card. I hope he knows how much all of the customers appreciate his kindness and thoughtfulness.
Well, I'm leaving to Mexico this week. But I'll still have something posted next Friday--a past Random Act of Kindness that blessed my heart.
Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
Other big news?
My humorous novella/audiobook, "How to Avoid Having Sex," was just featured on CBS News HERE
And FOX News: HERE
I'm floating on air!
What a wonderful week.
