After spending three days with me, my Guests were packing up to go. As they were walking out the back Door I opened the front door to Collect the morning paper and found a Package. I don't know when it was delivered. Inside the box I discovered a glittery Drawstring bag, and inside the Bag was a super soft blanket, a "Sherpa microfiber comfort throw." It was a gift from my sweet California friend who calls me "Momma Dorothy." I doubt she knew that I'm always Cold in my condo. And she couldn't have known that Her gift would arrive at just the right Time. In a quiet house, a cozy, plush Pink blanket is solace for both the Body and soul. |
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Sometimes I feel sad that my
Grandkids missed out on Christmas at The farm. My girls and I always sang, "Over the river and Through the woods" as we traveled to Grandma's house wishing we were in a Sleigh rather than a car. To seat everyone, we pieced several Tables together stretching all the way into the Front room of the spacious house. And the food? Nothing could beat Grandma Kalb's cooking. If I close my eyes I can still smell it, Taste it. The adults visited while the cousins caroused, and As we drove back home we were sated with Food and memories. But I've come to realize my grandchildren won't Feel slighted after all. As my wise blind friend told me, "We can't miss what We never had." My grandkids are making their own memories as They travel to my small dwelling at the edge of The city, unlike the big farmhouse, but filled with The same love. I imagine that one day they'll wish their kids Could have experienced Christmas at Grandma's condo. I hope so.
Did Mary know?
It's the question asked by a Beautiful Christmas song.* Did she know what lay ahead for Her son? She had a clue. Gabriel announced that her baby would Be a King of an endless kingdom. But the angel omitted the gory Details of the cross. Mary's brave response to the Angelic messenger amazes me, Astounds me, Sets a high standard for me. "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to Me as you have said." ** Would the young woman have Submitted so readily if she had Known the extent of her son's Suffering, and her own? I believe so. It's why God chose her. * "Mary Did You Know?" by Mark Lowry ** Luke 1:38 It sounds like a grandiose fairy tale,
A King disguised as a baby being Born to a teenage virgin so that He could grow up to die for mankind In order to save them from Destruction. It's an unbelievable story apart from a God who delights in mysteries and Miracles. But if it is just a fable, it's one that Changed the world. It changed me. The man sitting in front of us at
Church gave his wife a warm embrace. She squeezed him back. I knew Becky would notice. She's been a widow for just three Weeks. I knew the display of affection would Stab at her, because after five years It still stabs at me. I was on my way to the Foreman's
House for Jesi's band concert. I needed to get gas, but since my Regular station was closed I drove Further down the road. As I pulled up to the pump a young man in A yellow vest approached me. Was he collecting for charity? No. He was holding a can of car cleaner and Asked, "May I spray some on your car? We have a special deal on this today." I laughed. "For seven years my car has been washed By the rain, and I don't plan to switch now." I went inside for a cup of coffee and on my Way out it was a woman who tried to entice me With the cleaning product. I repeated my story and began to leave when I Felt the urge to stop. I pulled several tracts out of my purse and Zipped down the window. "I have something for you," I called out. "Which one would you like?" She settled for "Life Isn't Fair," because it isn't. For the college student I chose "I Gave Up On God," since it describes my Struggle when I was in college. As I drove away they were both reading my Spiel, sparing their customers for a few minutes From theirs. I wish it weren't true, but my age is
Slowing me down. Yesterday was packed with duties and This morning I could barely drag my Bone weary body out of bed. Looking at my calendar, I see I won't Have a reprieve until 20 more days Have passed. Jack must have felt like I do. He was years older than I was, and After one especially hectic Christmas he Said, "I just can't do this anymore." I'm beginning to understand. While I was eating my supper I felt a
Hard object mixed in with my rice and Veggies. It was the crown that had topped my Back molar. My first response was to groan, "I don't have time for this." But my second thought was, "Dorothy, You're always preaching praise. Practice it." I pondered for a few moments and then I Looked upward and said, "Thank you, Thank you Lord, that I didn't swallow it." God must delight in mysteries.
His world is full of them. Inside a caterpillar resides a Butterfly. Inside a tadpole resides a frog. Inside an acorn resides a tree. Scientists have names for these Phenomena, but they can't explain the Hows or the whys of them. It's also true of humans. Inside our decaying bodies resides our Spirits, who we really are. We groan at our limitations and long to Be set free. At least I do. How God releases us is a profound Mystery. I was with Jack at his transition. In an instant he was gone and his Battered body was left behind, Lifeless. We call the phenomenon death, but It is really just the beginning of Never ending life. |
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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