The Ring
(a “cloned” Christmas gift)
Spiritual perfection! A symbol
representing a continuous circle of perpetual love represented by two
interlocking hearts set ablaze with stunning blue-white diamond clarity. The
quintessence of God! No beginning, no end. Always present. Pure! In its very
essence: Perfect! In its simple concept: God! Symbolized!
Rotate a ring on any axis and generate a
perfect sphere. Contained in that globe is the nature of concentrated
love---which is…God! The goodness in each of us is ever-expanding. It is the
capacity to transcend all that is not good in its various manifestations which
tempt man into transgression; a victory over the impure in life with the
cleansing of the soul through the Grace of the Holy Spirit. To give “love’ is
to bestow the gift of God. The ring is a circle illustrating the continuum
which is God, Who is Love.
May the days in your “ring” all be
diamonds as you treasure Christmas Perfect!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for the
gift of life bestowed through Your everlasting love for me. Faith! Family!
Freedom! Will be my spoken credo. Through the Authority of the Father, The
Blessing of Christ Jesus and the Grace of the Holy Spirit I shall triumph in
the Kingdom’s eternity. Amen!
Merry Christmas!
Christmas
Perfect!
(an excerpt)
Bapa watched intently, not seeing the
little boy whom he had loved even before his birth, but a flash of his lifetime
from a beautiful infant whom he had nurtured, to a young boy whom he had
befriended, to the ball player he had instructed, to the child he had both
mentored and learned from, but, rather, viewing a fine young man of
independence, a strong individual with conviction of values and faith, one who
was about to make one of the most profound choices of his young life. He had
often wondered how he would pass the mantle of head of the family and who would
don the cloak. He need not think of it any longer, the succession was happening
right before his very eyes. Bapa took Nanny’s hand in his own.
“The king is dead!” he thought in
silence; “Long live the king!” he whispered, aloud.
Nanny heard him and gave him an
inquisitive glance; he was smiling, a tear in his eye.
It had not been a royal coronation
filled with pageantry nor pomp and circumstance, but the regal transformation
of power had been deftly accomplished. Bapa was well-pleased; plain and simple
was always the best way of truly important issues and momentous occasions.
Z. Tyler took the pillow as he stood
next to Mary Theresa and before the little girls and the entire assemblage. He
peered at his grandfather and wondered how he had known; he winked at the wise
old man whom he so dearly loved.
Bapa saluted his grandson, acknowledging
his acquiescence, and, unknown to the boy at this time, his abdication of the
throne. It would soon enough dawn on Z. Tyler. He stood as a natural leader of
unequaled ability and was the obvious choice for such an important family position.
Z. Tyler laid the red satin pillow at
his feet and bent his right knee to it. He looked into the eyes of the woman he
loved, raised his left hand between their faces. On his little finger was
Nanny’s diamond studded double-heart platinum ring which Bapa had just given
her!
Mary Theresa gasped; Nanny’s mouth fell
open as she quickly felt her hand wondering how the boy had gotten her ring.
But, no! Her “clone”-gift was still on her finger where Bapa had placed it! She
glanced at her husband who was smiling; he squeezed her hand.
As Z. Tyler knelt on his right knee, he
gently took M-T’s left hand, placed the special ring on her finger and said,
“Mary Theresa, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her excited “Yes!” came with a rush of
jubilant laughter, a smothering embrace and one long, passionate kiss.
The three little girls danced and
laughed and hugged the engaged couple. Z. Tyler and Mary Theresa gathered the
three girls as the five embraced and kissed.
Beth and Becky joined the melee with
“Congratulations!” and even more displays of affection. Dad Graig and Uncle
Alex shook Z. Tyler’s hand and hugged the future bride, Mary Theresa, each
kissing a blushing cheek at the same time.
Mary Theresa said, bubbling with
excitement, “Of course, we’ll want you girls to be in our wedding. And, Mom
Beth and Aunt Becky, please say you’ll help with the planning.” Both were
beaming as they nodded, tears of joy flowing down their cheeks.
Nanny hugged her boy and kissed his
cheek, shedding an emotional tear of pride and joy, too.
Embracing the girl, she said, earnestly,
“Welcome to our family, Mary Theresa!”
Bapa hugged the newly engaged girl; he
shook Z. Tyler’s hand and the two embraced; the boy patted the old man’s
shoulder.
“You knew.” he offered. It was as much a
question as a statement.
His grandfather only smiled.
BaPa’s Treasures
December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas!
Dear Z. Tyler, Luvy, Lexli Lu and My
Annie:
Some years ago we had the pleasure of
taking a cruise in the Caribbean.
We had an inside cabin without
portholes; with the interior lights off, it was totally dark.
At 6:30AM I awakened; I immediately
dressed and went on deck. Somehow, I knew we were passing white sand islands,
the blue water caressing the beach. I was right.
A bright sunrise glinted sparkles off
the waves; small, uninhabited, palm-studded sands passed by our vessel. I had
no way of knowing these jewels were there, but something pulled me on deck so
that I should not miss this event.
When I find myself in the darkness of
loneliness I experience when I am not with you, I know you are there and all I
have to do is picture you in my mind. Instant happiness---four smiling angels
that are the treasures of my journey in life. Each of you is like the other and
the four of you are the pleasurable remembrances of Beth and Becky---an
extension of the great times of their childhood which we experienced.
Each of you is unique---special,
beautiful, intelligent, spiritual, humble, blessed and... good...good to the
point of being saintly; more correctly, angelic! Like your Nanny.
Z. Tyler---my young man who, I confess,
I sometimes still think of as my little boy. Handsome,
strong of body, sterling of character, his own man. Yes, when I grow up: I wanna be just
like you!
Lauren Victoria---L.V., Luvy-my elegant
little princess, beautiful. So mature for your tender age. Kind, considerate,
intelligent, sophisticated. And the best sister ever to Annie and Lexi and
Rye-Rye. I should learn to love so innocently as you.
Alexandria Elizabeth--- Lexi-my
angel-curly top-so independent, smart, beautiful, grown up. Your deep voice so
pure, your personality perfect. I am so
glad to see you love your brother Rye-Rye and your sisters, Lauren and Annie.
Anna Marie-my Annie---Colorado-girl,
for sure. Sweet, kind, intelligent and most---most... independent. You
are your mother through and through---I thank God for that!
Each of you, so different, yet so alike.
The seven treasures of my life---priceless!
We thank God for each of you; we thank
each of you for loving us!
Merry Christmas!
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