Sunday, December 18, 2016

Day 22-Cookie Jar Sweet Memories Plus Christmas!

 
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"Christmas Treasures" & "Christmas Always" books at:
Amazon books/search Carl Schuler
 
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Day 22

 

“Light’l’ing!” Said Z. Tyler

 

We were blessed to have Z. Tyler and family live with us the first years of his life as his mom completed her Law School education in Oregon and Tennessee; the arrangement gave us the opportunity to travel across the country several times with our “little play buddy”. Fun!

Back in the day, as they say, there were no restrictions on where the children could ride in a vehicle, no car seats; Z. Tyler racked up many thousands of miles on his Nanny’s lap as we crisscrossed the highways visiting state after state.

One of his favorite sights was trekking the Great Plains as nightfall visited and the western sky came alive with thunderstorms; he was too small to say “lightning” but managed “light’l’ing”. He called the nightly event: God’s light show.

Z. was one trooper when it came to travel; the young man was exemplar at everything we tried. He never complained, no matter how “unusual” the challenge might be.

Very often, when eating at a restaurant, complete strangers would come to our table to compliment us on how well-behaved our young ward was; his manners, too, were impeccable.

Once, in less than a thirty day period, we traveled from the Atlantic coast of Florida all the way to the west coast and the fantastic Oregon Pacific Ocean. He loved it and was an explorer.

At age two, the boy rode “shotgun” in a Ryder moving truck as I chauffeured the lad up through the Colorado Rockies on into Wyoming; he watched moon rise and said, “The ‘mun’!”

On the Oregon beach, Z. Tyler ran in the cold surf, climbed sea stacks and curiously explored.

We had our favorite haunts: rock outcroppings north of Boulder on a backroad highway, the view at Twin Falls, Idaho with a golf course and the Snake River in the background, Burns, Oregon, up on the eastern high plains of the state where he learned that “Bapa” gets a speeding ticket when the state trooper gets out of his car and puts on his “Smokey-Bear” hat; and, more.

All-in-all: One great experience of a lifetime spread over five years and on into thirty!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet Memories!
 
 
 
Plus:
 
 
 
 


Christmas “Magic”!
 
Howls a frigid northern wind swirling blizzard solid fluff
Barren-swept plains belie tranquil valleys’ deep drifts rough
Snow sleds fly and ice skates clatter for those just brave enough
 
Cedar logs pop mixed sweet hickory smoke in a cozy fire-warmer
Moans icy winter storm complaints in high eaves of house dormers
Bright eyes with wide smiles foretell expectations of child charmers
 
Bedazzled Christmas tree donned silver tinsel, ornaments, many pretty lights
Bethlehem star adorns its pinnacle setting holiday spirits aglow quite bright
Myriad presents spread ’round its skirt celebrate love’s generous “sight”
 
Wish I may, wish I might, get that special something from old Santa Claus
Been a good child, behaved well and honored quite true all necessary laws
Dared added a subtle hint in that letter for a live gift with four furry paws
 
Of course, I don’t mean to demand or seem ungrateful for this perfect time
Just, “Careful what I wish for”, asked for ten cents and got a shiny new dime
Not to focus on a bronze bell when all I truly enjoy is just its pleasant chime
 
Celebration causes all to become kids excited for surprising neat presents
One time each year we freely live life independent in puerile human essence
Secret “Peace on earth, good will to men” located in the Christmas “Presence”
 
What be that magic which causes black wand’s pretty assistant disappear?
Or from his vacant shiny top hat a white hippity-hop rabbit to reappear?
Or intellectual audience-fool duped to celebrate with boisterous cheer?
 
Once I did rhyme for that unique one awesome gospel crooner king
“Why can’t everyday be like Christmas?” in words that he did sing
Replied I, then, “It is, indeed, for any who dare live such a thing!”
 
All are precious in His sight, special blessed through His wondrous way
Life might be a game of awesome adventure-events. Please! Let me play
I promise, Lord, praise, honor, glory offered to Thee every cherished day
 
My Santa mantra: To give love freely! A most important secret pleasure
To each, a running-over cup becomes true meaning of equal full measure
Warm comfort gift, Christmas Magic, at last revealed open-secret treasure.
Amen!
 
Merry Christmas!
 
 


 


 

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