One Good Story
September 15, 2008
The most important thing in life is to
learn how to give out love, and to let it
come in. Morrie Schwartz
I've learned that people will forget what
you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made
them feel. Maya Angelou
I believe that imagination is stronger
than knowledge -
That myth is more potent than history.
I believe that dreams are more powerful than
facts -
That hope always triumphs over experience -
That laughter is the only cure for grief.
And I believe that love is stronger than
death.
Robert Fulghum
A businessman walks the airport concourse, on
his way to baggage claim. His
flight is late in arriving, and his mood is
melancholy. This is the end of a long business
trip, his energy spent and his emotions raw.
If not for the late arrival, he'd head to the
local pub for a nightcap.
On the flight he read a book about business and success. About how to make your life really matter. He liked its emotional and motivational intensity, and made a mental list of his own life priorities and goals.
He picked up his suitcase, and knew that if he was lucky, and the timing worked with the airport parking shuttle, he'd be home by nine. He would be home in time to say good night to his daughter Leila. He smiled and quickened his steps.
It had been a longstanding ritual; after each of his business trips, he would bring his daughter a gift, some token of his trip, some reminder that he thought of her. Or, more truthfully, some way to make up for the fact that he was gone.
During his layover (in a sprawling Texas airport), he stopped in one of the souvenir shops (designed for forgetful or bored or guilt-ridden travelers), and picked up a t-shirt with a picture of a funny looking armadillo.
"What size is right for a six-year-old girl?" he asked the clerk.
She shrugged and said, "Is that all you're buying? Credit or cash?"
The businessman pulled his car into his driveway just a few minutes before nine. He dropped his suitcase at the door, kissed his wife and headed for his daughter's room.
"Daddy," she said, "We waited up. Mom said it was okay. We're so glad to see you. We made a space. Come sit here with T-Bear and me, and let us hug you."
He leaned over, gave his daughter a kiss, and lifted the gift shop sack onto the bed. "I brought you something."
"That's okay Daddy." She said. "Tonight T-Bear and I don't need anything. We just want you to sit here with us, and tell us a story. All we want, is one good story."
He hugged his daughter and kissed T-bear on the head, not altogether sure about the protocol for kissing teddy bears. He was quiet for a good deal of time, enjoying the warmth of his daughter as she leaned against his chest, the reassurance of her cadenced breathing and the sweet fragrance of her hair and shampoo.
He forgot about the book he read on the plane.
He forgot about the list he made.
He forgot about the goals that awaited him on his office desk.
He rested.
And he knew: this moment matters.
This moment. This sacred moment.
"I missed you and T-Bear," he said. And then he began, "Okay. I have just the story. Once upon a time, in a far away land, there lived a princess. She looked a lot like you."
"Oh Daddy," Leila said, "I think this is going to be a good story."
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"We are very grateful for your hospitality, Badger," said Crow, "Each place we go we learn something, and your wisdom here has helped us."
"I would ask you to remember only this one thing," said Badger. "The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each others memory. This is how people care for themselves. One day you will be good storytellers. Never forget these obligations." Barry Lopez
On the flight he read a book about business and success. About how to make your life really matter. He liked its emotional and motivational intensity, and made a mental list of his own life priorities and goals.
He picked up his suitcase, and knew that if he was lucky, and the timing worked with the airport parking shuttle, he'd be home by nine. He would be home in time to say good night to his daughter Leila. He smiled and quickened his steps.
It had been a longstanding ritual; after each of his business trips, he would bring his daughter a gift, some token of his trip, some reminder that he thought of her. Or, more truthfully, some way to make up for the fact that he was gone.
During his layover (in a sprawling Texas airport), he stopped in one of the souvenir shops (designed for forgetful or bored or guilt-ridden travelers), and picked up a t-shirt with a picture of a funny looking armadillo.
"What size is right for a six-year-old girl?" he asked the clerk.
She shrugged and said, "Is that all you're buying? Credit or cash?"
The businessman pulled his car into his driveway just a few minutes before nine. He dropped his suitcase at the door, kissed his wife and headed for his daughter's room.
"Daddy," she said, "We waited up. Mom said it was okay. We're so glad to see you. We made a space. Come sit here with T-Bear and me, and let us hug you."
He leaned over, gave his daughter a kiss, and lifted the gift shop sack onto the bed. "I brought you something."
"That's okay Daddy." She said. "Tonight T-Bear and I don't need anything. We just want you to sit here with us, and tell us a story. All we want, is one good story."
He hugged his daughter and kissed T-bear on the head, not altogether sure about the protocol for kissing teddy bears. He was quiet for a good deal of time, enjoying the warmth of his daughter as she leaned against his chest, the reassurance of her cadenced breathing and the sweet fragrance of her hair and shampoo.
He forgot about the book he read on the plane.
He forgot about the list he made.
He forgot about the goals that awaited him on his office desk.
He rested.
And he knew: this moment matters.
This moment. This sacred moment.
"I missed you and T-Bear," he said. And then he began, "Okay. I have just the story. Once upon a time, in a far away land, there lived a princess. She looked a lot like you."
"Oh Daddy," Leila said, "I think this is going to be a good story."
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"We are very grateful for your hospitality, Badger," said Crow, "Each place we go we learn something, and your wisdom here has helped us."
"I would ask you to remember only this one thing," said Badger. "The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each others memory. This is how people care for themselves. One day you will be good storytellers. Never forget these obligations." Barry Lopez
Poems / Prayers
The Kingdom of Heaven
"Jesus does not have time for children. He is very busy talking with important people." One of the disciples told the parents who sadly turned away, and started to leave.
But suddenly a gentle voice could be heard saying "DO NOT TURN THE CHILDREN AWAY." It was the voice of Jesus.
"Bring the children to Me," Jesus continued.
The crowd moved back to let the children through to Jesus. The parents followed behind.
Jesus held out His arms and hugged each one of the little children. He gently touched each one, from the youngest to the oldest child. The children made Jesus smile and laugh.
"I wish everyone were like little children, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these," Jesus said.
And then Jesus placed His hands on each child, and blessed them.
From Gospel of Matthew
You Reading This, Be Ready
Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
sound from outside fills the air?
Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?
When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This
interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life -
What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you
turn around?
William Stafford
http://www.panhala.net/Archive/Be_Ready.html
I welcome and thank the Creator for prayers
that come from all souls. I am not a lonely
star but a member of a constellation, we shine,
we shine, with grace and love and light.
Karren Hoyt
People don't need more information - they need 'faith' and that stories have the power to birth faith and trust. Annettte Simmonds
Peace,
Terry Hershey
