A Hallmark Card & A Kleenex Moment
Posted by Ercille Christmas at 7/25/2009 6:05 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: God;Hallmark;Kleenex
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: God;Hallmark;Kleenex
God is wonderful and He is still in control of His universe! Once again He has proven that He is in my corner and will supply my needs, be they emotional or otherwise.
My car and I are both celebrating birthdays, in this "birthday of liberty" month. I took my Mustang into the mechanic for its "annual physical." Actually, its vision needed checking as its signal lights were failing. As I sat in the waiting room of the mechanic's shop, the manager was detailing for me the charges for the thing-a-ma-jig for the signal lights, the cost for an oil change, and a strut that had lost its strut.
I did some quick calculations in my noggin, pretty good for a wordsmith who is mathematically challenged! At first I decided that food is really overrated and I could afford to drastically lower the caloric intake, and still live. Such a regimen for a week would not kill me. Then I decided that I had better bow to reality and pay food its due. I asked the mechanic if I could postpone the strut job for about two weeks when the next paycheck rolls in.
Something made me change my mind. I told the mechanic to go for it. Maybe I could chew on some grass for about a week and half...good roughage/fiber! I returned to opening my mail. When I go to the mechanic, it is like going to a picnic, without the picnic basket. I come loaded up with a week's worth of mail, reading material, a writing tablet, my Borg transistor, and set up shop on the "picnic" table. I know. I should get into the 21st century and purchase an IPod, but why let a perfectly good world band radio go to waste?
I picked up my next envelope and saw that it was from my Stepfather, Mr. A, as we all affectionately call him. It was a birthday card for me. On the outside it read:
Especially for You with Gratitude
You've always been very special-
someone to emulate and respect,
someone to look up to.
Your wisdom is something
to be admired,
and the happiness
you've given others-including me-
is something to thank you for.
On the inside it continued:
Thank you for being
the special person you are.
Thank you for being
such an important part
of my life
Happy Birthday
with Love.
Child of my late mother that I am, call me Ms "cry me a river," who would cry at the funeral of a stranger, my eyes were misting over, and I was trying not to begin bawling in the mechanic's place of business. That would have been bad for his business, not a welcoming sight for any prospective clients coming through the door! Instead of losing all control, I sat there clutching the card, caught in a "Kleenex moment."
I admit it. I am a hoarder of cards. I never throw away any cards. Even if I suddenly decided to go after the good housekeeping seal of approval and toss out other cards, this card is a keeper. I will always treasure it. My dear Stepfather had even included a check. I am ditching the grass/fiber diet! Thank you, Mr. A!
I am assuming that as is his wont, Mr. A took the time to carefully select a card with the exact sentiments that he intended to convey. Ironically, had I seen that card, I would have selected that for him. After my Mom passed away, I told him that he was now "Mr. Mom," in terms of being a listening ear, to whom, for at least once a week, I could tell my woes and my victories, as I had done with her. We live on different coasts and I look forward to our weekly chats.
He has not disappointed. He has been both a sympathetic ear and a dispenser of wisdom. I can always count on him to put things in the proper perspective. I know that he cannot live forever, but close to forever would suffice. After losing my Mom and my nephew in fairly quick succession, I am not ready to give up Mr. A. I bow to God's will on that score, but hopefully He grants me this desire of my heart.
Mom, thank you for bringing Mr. A. into our lives. Although biology plays no part in his relationship with me, he has become my de facto father, and I am blessed by this. Thank you God, for bringing yet another "angel in earthly apparel" to light my path. The check I appreciate, but it is the act of thoughtfulness in taking the time to go to the store, carefully selecting that specific card, that is what will leave a lasting impression in my heart. We human beings allow ourselves to be seduced into thinking that it is "stuff" that brings happiness. It is not. Happiness can come in the form of a Hallmark card.
Thank you Mr. A "for being such an important part of my life."
My car and I are both celebrating birthdays, in this "birthday of liberty" month. I took my Mustang into the mechanic for its "annual physical." Actually, its vision needed checking as its signal lights were failing. As I sat in the waiting room of the mechanic's shop, the manager was detailing for me the charges for the thing-a-ma-jig for the signal lights, the cost for an oil change, and a strut that had lost its strut.
I did some quick calculations in my noggin, pretty good for a wordsmith who is mathematically challenged! At first I decided that food is really overrated and I could afford to drastically lower the caloric intake, and still live. Such a regimen for a week would not kill me. Then I decided that I had better bow to reality and pay food its due. I asked the mechanic if I could postpone the strut job for about two weeks when the next paycheck rolls in.
Something made me change my mind. I told the mechanic to go for it. Maybe I could chew on some grass for about a week and half...good roughage/fiber! I returned to opening my mail. When I go to the mechanic, it is like going to a picnic, without the picnic basket. I come loaded up with a week's worth of mail, reading material, a writing tablet, my Borg transistor, and set up shop on the "picnic" table. I know. I should get into the 21st century and purchase an IPod, but why let a perfectly good world band radio go to waste?
I picked up my next envelope and saw that it was from my Stepfather, Mr. A, as we all affectionately call him. It was a birthday card for me. On the outside it read:
Especially for You with Gratitude
You've always been very special-
someone to emulate and respect,
someone to look up to.
Your wisdom is something
to be admired,
and the happiness
you've given others-including me-
is something to thank you for.
On the inside it continued:
Thank you for being
the special person you are.
Thank you for being
such an important part
of my life
Happy Birthday
with Love.
Child of my late mother that I am, call me Ms "cry me a river," who would cry at the funeral of a stranger, my eyes were misting over, and I was trying not to begin bawling in the mechanic's place of business. That would have been bad for his business, not a welcoming sight for any prospective clients coming through the door! Instead of losing all control, I sat there clutching the card, caught in a "Kleenex moment."
I admit it. I am a hoarder of cards. I never throw away any cards. Even if I suddenly decided to go after the good housekeeping seal of approval and toss out other cards, this card is a keeper. I will always treasure it. My dear Stepfather had even included a check. I am ditching the grass/fiber diet! Thank you, Mr. A!
I am assuming that as is his wont, Mr. A took the time to carefully select a card with the exact sentiments that he intended to convey. Ironically, had I seen that card, I would have selected that for him. After my Mom passed away, I told him that he was now "Mr. Mom," in terms of being a listening ear, to whom, for at least once a week, I could tell my woes and my victories, as I had done with her. We live on different coasts and I look forward to our weekly chats.
He has not disappointed. He has been both a sympathetic ear and a dispenser of wisdom. I can always count on him to put things in the proper perspective. I know that he cannot live forever, but close to forever would suffice. After losing my Mom and my nephew in fairly quick succession, I am not ready to give up Mr. A. I bow to God's will on that score, but hopefully He grants me this desire of my heart.
Mom, thank you for bringing Mr. A. into our lives. Although biology plays no part in his relationship with me, he has become my de facto father, and I am blessed by this. Thank you God, for bringing yet another "angel in earthly apparel" to light my path. The check I appreciate, but it is the act of thoughtfulness in taking the time to go to the store, carefully selecting that specific card, that is what will leave a lasting impression in my heart. We human beings allow ourselves to be seduced into thinking that it is "stuff" that brings happiness. It is not. Happiness can come in the form of a Hallmark card.
Thank you Mr. A "for being such an important part of my life."
Bless his heart! And yours too!
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