Our first clue was the Almost empty parking lot. There should have been More cars there at Dinnertime. We had chosen the Restaurant because we Wanted to try hometown Cooking on our girl's Get-away. The interior must have been Unchanged for years With worn red carpeting and Ancient menus standing Upright on the tables. Taking up space on the Windowsills were bedraggled Plants we finally identified As poinsettias, Perhaps trying to hang on Until next Christmas. But we tried to maintain a Positive attitude even after Dee came back from the Ladies' room and said, "The rest room isn't Top notch." (When I saw it later, I realized Her comment was an Understatement.) Our dear waitress had No teeth, But she was kind and Had plenty of time to Talk since the tables Were empty except for one Other lady with Neon red hair. We learned her brother had Recently died, And we prayed for her. Perhaps that is why we Were there, to encourage Kim. It certainly wasn't the Food. Gloria's jello was layered With something white That was too tough To chew. My baked potato seemed To be reheated from Previous days, And I simply couldn't eat the Lima beans. Dee's Swiss steak was a Type of mystery meat too. I couldn't help but Think of the recent food Poisonings mentioned in the Paper. "Protect us Lord." When we left, the Only cook was seated on The pavement outside Smoking. Lesson learned? If the parking lot is Empty at 6 o'clock, And the restroom isn't Top notch, Run. |
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I'm a prayer chain
Captain. Each day, recently, a mom Calls in with the same request For her daughters who are In desperate need. She goes on and on. I write down her plea Trying to be patient, Wondering why she keeps Repeating the same request Day after day. And then I'm stopped in my Tracks. I do the same. But my Captain never loses Patience with me. He never needs to write down My requests, And He never hangs up.
When Jack is testy, Lord,
Help me to be patient. When he is confused, Help my mind to be clear. When he is depressed, Help me to lift him up. When he is agitated, Help me to remain calm. When he is stubborn, Help me to be gentle. When his eyes flash anger, Help mine to flash love. When I pray for a
Miracle, And the unthinkable Happens anyway; I've discovered that Sometimes the Miracle is simply being Able to carry on.
My gratitude for our service men and women grew as I grew. Four of my brothers were in the military, and eventually I married Jack, a retired career soldier. He often spoke of the years he was away from his family. His littlest boy didn't know him when he came home from Korea. He spent a year in Vietnam too, the unpopular war. As Jack aged, a back injury from his early army days caused problems. I can't count the times I pushed him in a wheelchair through the hallways of the VA health center where he received care. I stared in somber silence at the eclectic group of soldiers gathered there, some hard to look at with their tangled hair, tattooed bodies, and disheveled clothes; others missing legs. There were also jovial men, some who skillfully maneuvered their power chairs around the corners seemingly at full speed. They were an amazing array of humanity. I was overwhelmed at every visit. I wished I knew their stories. I wished they could sense my concern and gratitude.
Memorial Day, Decoration Day, whatever name we call it, it's a day to remember and give thanks. It's more real to me this year than ever before because it is the first that my Jack is gone, the first that he gets a flag.
Jack wrote the prayer
Request fourteen Years ago, shortly after We were married. A friend found it In her old files and sent It to me. He requested prayer for His family: "Especially my beautiful Child bride," and he continued, "That Dorothy and I can Maintain balanced lives As we serve the Lord and Each other." He added a P.S. too. "Love is too sweet for Words," And Jack's sweet words, Written in his familiar Handwriting so long ago, Were what I needed today. Sue couldn't have known That I would receive her Letter on the sixth month Anniversary of Jack's Death. But Jesus did. Looking back at Jack's dementia days, and praying for
my friends who are there now. Glory Days In his glory days, Jack made Knives, Shaping Damascus steel for The blades, Fashioning exotic wood, leather, Elk horn for the unique Handles. In his glory days, Jack Made bread, Crusty loaves sprinkled with Seeds, Delicious hot from the Oven, butter melting Into the crevices. In his glory days, Jack painted. His pictures grace the Hallway: Barns, mountains, Cabins, A tree carved with The initials D and J. Today, Jack tried hopelessly To fashion a knife out of A toothbrush. I allowed him to tinker with The tools in the garage while I Closely supervised. Jack finally realized it Was an impossible task And I led him back to his Safe spot, The recliner. But I suddenly realized That Jack's glory days Aren't behind him. They're ahead! I wonder what amazing Projects He will be creating then. (And now, he's busy at work once again.) I love the Hocking Hills.
Jack and I spent so many Get-aways here, and This is my first visit Without him. It's a fresh start in a new Cabin, and with Two dear lady friends. Our retreat is cozy, Rustic, and Comfortable, in a Lovely wooded Setting. But it was disconcerting to Be locked outside with Our keys, Phones, And belongings inside. On the porch we prayed For wisdom, and While my two friends Held down the cabin, I set off down the road. Very shortly I saw a Trailer in unkempt Surroundings. I knew it was occupied Because of the barking Dogs. I was a bit intimidated by the No trespassing signs that Were posted. Should I chance it? I was prayed up, so I took the plunge. I called out for help. A petite woman with Metal hanging from her Lip opened the door. "I saw your no trespassing signs," I said, "But I'm in trouble." And I shared my tale of woe. She let me in. Two tattooed, pale, scrawny Men were seated inside the Smoke filled abode, Dimly lit with dark fabric Covering the windows. It was hard to breathe. I wondered what pot smelled like. But they spoke a few words To me, Not at all unkind. And the woman found the Number of the cabin office And called for me. "No problem," the Man said, And he gave me a code for The lock box on the Porch. As I left, I gave Brandy a big Hug and expressed my gratitude. "Before I came, I prayed for Help, and you are an answer to My prayer." She smiled as I walked back Up the road. Lessons learned? Don't judge people or Property, and Keep your keys in your pocket. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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