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{SFTH} *A Brother's Devotion* 8/1/01
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Michael's long awaited book Straight From the Heart: "A
Celebration of Life," is finally here! Close to 200 pages
of true short stories filled with love and laughter await
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I don't know about you, but I could do with a good Christmas story
right about now. With summer in full swing, the heat becoming
unbearable and the humidity making things even worse, I
figured now would be a good time to think about Christmas!
Have a great day everyone!
Michael
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A Brother's Devotion
by Virginia Collie-Rodriguez
Shivering, cold and frightened, five-year-old Tom stood outside a
shack he knew as home. Many nights his stomach had a gnawing
sensation, due to lack of food, because his alcoholic father spent
his meager earnings on liquor. At the time he didn't truly
understand all that was happening.
Strangers were hovering around talking about taking he and his
sisters to a strange place in Arkansas. Everything had been a
whirl of confusion since his mama died. Now the landlord had
thrown all their belongings out on the cold street.
This event happened to my dad 65 years ago, never to be forgotten.
Using oxygen, struggling and gasping for breath, he slowly related
to me this boyhood memory:
I moved to Arkansas to live with my aunt and uncle. My older brother
R.J., lived with our alcoholic father in a shack in Houston. When I
turned thirteen, I longed to see my brother, who was 10 years his
senior. Because of problems there with a family member, I packed
a few belongings into a cardboard box, and hopped a bus to
Houston. Humidity hung around me like a cloak. The bus fumes
made the ride exhausting. Arriving in Houston I trudged the few
blocks to my brother's house. Not having informed R.J.
that I was coming, I hesitantly approached the doorstep. When
R.J. opened the door I yelled out, "If you don't want me to live
with you then I'll just leave!'"
My dad stopped his story at this point to compose himself from
the painful memories. I could hear the sound hissing from his
compressor as oxygen ran through the hoses at my feet
providing him with life-giving breath. Slowly and deliberately
my dad resumed his story.
My brother R.J. owned a large house and he and our father lived
in the shack out back of the main house and rented the main
house to the Harm family for extra income. Later, after I arrived,
R.J. made arrangements with them to feed me in exchange for
their rent. Since I was young, I couldn't understand why I always
ate at the Harm's home. I remembered there was always activity
in the kitchen, especially during the holidays.
Light danced in everyone's eyes and steps were quickened with
anticipation during the Christmas season. Tacking up mistletoe
and decorations, or wrapping gifts to put under the tree, kept
everyone busy. The crackling of the fireplace could be heard
faintly in the background as Mrs. Harm laid steaming hot dishes
on the table. The Christmas turkey was golden brown, with all the
fixings, and fresh vegetables were steaming hot. Baked pies cooled
on the windowsill. Mrs. Harm stayed in the kitchen all day until
finally she yelled, "Come and get it while it's hot!" She was
known in the neighborhood for her delicious meals.
After we said grace, with hushed tones and bowed heads, I piled
helpings of food onto my plate. The Harm children were finicky
eaters, though, and after a few bites they jumped up to leave
and yelled, "Tom, let's go!" Reluctantly after eating only a few
bites, I got up. The Harms had four children and we constantly
played together. We left the house to explore the nearby town.
We had spotted the Western Flyer bicycle at a nearby store and
all of us had fallen in love! With wide eyes, noses pressed the
window, our breath fogged up the pane as we said, "Look! It
has the American flag painted on the fenders and white mud
flaps!" We could travel far if we had one of those! But being
poor, I knew down in my heart that my brother would not be
able to buy my dream bicycle. If they got their bicycles, I
wouldn't be able to catch up. We walked wherever we needed
to go. Days later, on that memorable Christmas Day, Mr.
Harms announced he heard Santa on the front porch. We
kids went running outside to find brand new Western flyers.
But my heart fell to my feet as I counted only four bikes on the
front porch. Joyfully they jumped on their newfound gifts and
sped away, leaving me behind. They yelled out, "Tom look at us!"
Disheartened, I turned to go back to the house. Around the side of the
house I spied my brother R.J. pushing a polished, new Western
Flyer bicycle. A sequence of brain waves happened in a split
second. This was MY bike! Quickly, I jumped on the bike and
sped off to catch up with the others. In the days following, we
excitedly rode 15 miles away and explored the neighboring
countryside. Our world opened up to new sights, smells and
experiences. Neighborhood dogs yelped. The world whizzed by
in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. Smells of cut grass
and barbecue grills wafted into our nostrils. Later, I found out
the Harms children knew about my bike.
How did my brother afford that bicycle? I knew my brother would
not have sacrificed and purchased my bike except that the other
children received theirs that special Christmas. Out of compassion,
R.J. realized what devastation it would have on me, his little brother,
if I didn't own a bike of my own. I don't remember thanking him for
my bike.
As my dad finished his story, a serenity and glow settled upon his
face. The evening sun was falling across his bed. The lines in his
face seem to soften as he sunk deep into thought. He finally
verbalized his feelings of those days gone by which brought
relief to his soul. It stood as the very foundation of who he
became and the values he held dear. His very existence pivoted
on the fact that family and home was so important. In the twilight
years of my dad's life, he has taught me the importance of family
ties. Devotion and love can transcend time. It can provide a
constant source of unlimited direction and inspiration which
will last a lifetime.
This truth has provided guidance to me and one that I will forever
treasure and hold dear to my heart.
Virginia Collie-Rodriguez
nitewriter@home.com
Send Virginia an email and let her know what you thought of her story!
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I've been married for 21 years to a wonderful Godly man; new
grandmother of a precious 3 month old girl Laila and mother of two.
I lost my wonderful father in 1997. This story is in memory of him.
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BETHLEHEM'S STORY
By Vivian Cross
Oh sleepy town of Bethlehem,
So small and tucked away.
How could the world have ever guessed
The role you'd one day play?
Despite the ancient writings,
None thought your quiet town
Would ever be remembered
Or that you'd wear a royal crown.
But 'twas stated in the parchments,
Though not the largest or the best,
Yet in your poor and simple town
God's Son would sleep and rest.
And so one crisp and starry night
The angels sang your worth.
For in a lowly manger
The King of Kings had come to earth.
Then once the night was over,
This town that had no name,
This place not known as big or great,
Had gained eternal fame.
Oh Bethlehem! Oh little town!
Speak to us all today.
Show us the other lessons
That your story has to say.
For like this town of long ago,
The world has passed us by.
To them we're small, of no account,
They're careless for our lives.
And so we think we're not much use
There's nothing we can do.
We are not great or talented
There's nothing God could use.
But the story doesn't stop there,
For again Christ came to earth.
That night your heart received His love
And He gave your soul new birth.
And angels sang again that night
God gave to you His name.
For He gave you robes of royalty,
And He took away your shame.
For just like glorious Bethlehem
We've a story to be told.
And, like shepherds on the hillside,
We've seen a miracle unfold.
You see the miracle of Bethlehem
Reigns in our hearts today.
Now, there is nothing insignificant
In how we live; in what we say!
Take courage now to run your race.
Find strength within His word.
Let His light shine within you're world
For those who've never heard.
One day we'll stand before His Throne,
Our lives -- crowns at His feet.
And you will see the souls you've brought
To God's great Mercy Seat.
The light still shines from Bethlehem
For all hearts that will receive.
Has the Baby spoken to you heart?
Kneel before Him and believe.
Vivian Cross
crosshouse@erols.com
Send Vivian an email and let her know what you thought of her poem!
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Vivian lives in Maryland with her husband Gary. Earlier in her life, when
she was in her thirties, her husband, a police officer, was killed in the
line of duty. After many long and difficult years, she has found her
soulmate in Gary and, between the two of them, they have six children.
Vivian works full time but also travels all over the United States lecturing
to police groups on survivor issues. She also visits recent widows of
police officers offering them hope and comfort. Vivian is very involved
in her church.
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Thought For The Day:
"Isolation is the worst possible counselor."
(Miguel de Unamuno)
Verse for the Day:
"Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of
counselors there is safety."
Proverbs 11:14
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"The school bus is never running late the same day you are."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"My kids would never share anything of their own free will --
except germs." (Bruce Lansky)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"As a coach I need to be able to laugh at myself. When you're able
to do that you usually end up laughing with someone, not at
someone, and you build camaraderie." (Joe Broeker)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Why do people put the window down when they smoke in the
car alone? Are they afraid of breathing the smoke?"
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_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video
we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty seconds
my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was the best
Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such a beautiful
job! They were so surprised and so touched---they really, really,
really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all.
My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for the video too!
Thanks again!"
Kelli-- College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html
AOL Users click here: Video Imagery
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