Two years ago, August, I had the wonderful opportunity to read my story aloud to my brother, Paul. Mom and Ruthie were present at mom's dining room table that day. If I recall accurately, Tom and I were spending several days with my family before heading to live with my daughter and her husband in Arkansas, being jobless and homeless...literally. Tom was unemployed (since May) had over a dozen applications out there, 3 interviews and nothing! My last hospital contract had been completed in July without committing to another one, not knowing our future. Our apartment lease was up in August, we had only a few days to sell our "excess" and store the remains in my sister's garage. Her husband, my brother-in-law's generosity is amazing! Love you Steve! Now it was the end of August, nearing Labor Day and with no prospects of employment, we did what every parent hopes they would NEVER have to do. We moved our suitcases and selves in with our favorite son-in-law, and favorite daughter and only grandchild, which would make her, yes OUR FAVORITE! Humility, mixed with blesses described our feelings. After recovering from allergic reaction to poison ivy (that's another blog!) Tom began to pursue temp jobs and pizza delivery. I got my old job back at the hospital and life went on, not how we planned. We tried to focus on the blessings like the incredible opportunity we were experiencing of bonding with our granddaughter! We saw and were involved with all of her "firsts". First crawling, food, steps and words! Witnessing our daughter and her husband as parents was heart warming and satisfying beyond words! By the way, did I mention my daughter had been fervently praying we would move back to the area? Hmm, thanks Liz? My point is God is in control, and those of us that decide to have Jesus the LORD of our life, view our life with a purpose. So I reflect on the small event, of sharing my story with my brother, as a monumental gift from my Heavenly Father! Because he is no longer here, but in our Heavenly Father's home. I was hesitant to read my writings to my family. To share my heart, it is a scary deal! I feel very vulnerable as people read my writings, maybe that is why I have not blogged in, well YOU can see the date of my last blog! Hope you enjoy my show and tell!
The Greatest Show and
Tell EVER!
What began as snowman building,
turned into snowball throwing! “Splat” on Susie’s’ coat, then with a giggle she
sent hers flying. “Ouch!” protested the
good looking young man as he wiped the snow from his head. Bending over he picked up his hat that had
also suffered the consequence. “Paulie?”
she asked as she formed another cold ball of ammunition. “Would you help me with my homework?”
Susie adored her older
brother. In fact even though they were
born 14 years apart, there was a remarkable resemblance, which suited her just
fine.
“Help you AGAIN?” Paulie taunted. “Now what?” he asked with a grin and a
playful tone as his next ball flew just before hers. Susie ran trying to escape, whack, right on
the back of her calf. Turning, and
stuttering out of breathe, “I, I have, have show and tell tomorrow.” “So what?” Paulie stated again with a tone
just to egg her on. He enjoyed teasing
his little sister. Well, that was true for
all five of his younger sisters.
Now he began to chase her and as
she ran she blurted out “would YOU be my show and tell?” Before he answered, he tackled Susie, right
into the nearest soft snow bank. They
laughed as they slowly sunk into the cold resting place. With a deep breathe, they both struggled to
get to their feet, “Yep!” came the answer.
With celebration that matched her excitement at Christmas, Susie jumped
into her big brothers’ arms and he threw her into the air as if she would fly
away. As he caught her, he tickled her
sides until she could barely breathe.
“Thank you, thank you!” was her satisfied reply.
Her last show and tell she
carried two used real bullets to class, which impressed her curious classmates. Paulie had been drafted into the United
States Army. The whole family was proud
of him. He was chosen to be a part of a
special group of young men trained to fly rescue helicopters. This 21 year old was a huey helicopter pilot
during the Vietnam War. War was scary
and sad for Paulie, but he always loved coming home to his family, and church
friends. His mom, dad and five sisters
would send him care packages which would include recorded messages of them
sharing about what was going on at home and sometimes they even sang him songs. They all loved and missed him so much when
he was gone. This time he was home for
45 days, and it was during Christmas too!
Susie had the chance to actually “show and tell” her big brother in her
second grade class. That would be much
cooler than even the bullets.
“Show and Tell” morning came, “come
on Susie Q, let’s go!” She felt special
when any of her family called her that nickname. As Paulie escorted her into school, all dressed
in his uniform, she could hear students asking questions to each other. “Is he a real GI JOE?” she overheard, “That
uniform IS real!” an excited voice confirmed.
“Who is he?” “Why is he
here?” More children asked.
Standing in the front of the
class sandwiched between her brother and her teacher, Susie cleared her throat
and began proudly “this is my big brother, Paulie. And he is in the army, and he flies
helicopters and he is fighting for our country!”
The teacher added more facts, as
teachers do. Then she asked Paulie to
share some stories with the class.
Holding up his army gear, he
began painting word pictures of flying certain missions making special food and
medicine deliveries. He told about being
shot at, which drew excitement from everyone listening. With each explanation, the children were
glued to their seats listening as if it were top secret information being
carefully passed on. Some just kept
looking at his green army fatigues, complete with camouflage hat and black
shiny combat boots.
Finally, Mrs. Irick had to
interrupt and called on the students for any questions. Susie could faintly hear the student’s voices
and Paulie’s answers. But her thoughts
were about how she loved sharing her brother, which brought her such a special
feeling. As the class applauded, Susie
smiled big, and so did Paulie. Susie
thought this was the greatest show and tell, EVER! Some of the kid’s even told her so! The principal heard about Paulie’s visit and
requested him to speak to the whole school at an assembly.
After Paulie went back to the war
to fly helicopters, Susie’s classmates and teacher wrote letters to Paulie and
sent them to Vietnam. He wrote back, answering
each student and commenting on their wonderful drawings. Susie’s happiest day came when Paulie came
home, again, safe and sound for good!
