A Pair of Scissors and a Pencil

I heard this story in the news from Oklahoma recently so I made up this story based on the news from Oklahoma. I thought you might like it.

“Mama, let’s go for a walk,” Tammy said on the first sunny day since this young family moved from the city to their country home in Oklahoma.
That’s a good idea, Tammy. It will be good to take a break after sewing all these curtains.”

The two of them, with Skip, their collie, were soon walking out the door into the sunshine.

“ We had better tell your daddy first. You know we really don’t know the area around here very well.”

“I’ll run to the barn and tell him, Mama,” Tammy offered and ran to the barn and back again, anxious to be on her walk.

They walked a long time along the old country road, enjoying the flowers that were blooming at the sides of the road and the cows that seemed so contented in the meadow. They hadn’t noticed the dark clouds in the distance.

“Oh look Tammy! The clouds are really dark there in the west. It looks like we’re going to have a storm soon,” said Mama who sounded like she was very anxious.

The wind came up and a few raindrops fell on them, but Mama saw the funnel shaped cloud ahead. She didn’t say anything about it to Tammy. “There’s an old shack over there,” she said pointing at it. “Let’s go over there and wait until the storm blows over,” she yelled over the heavy wind which now was beginning to blow.

They got inside the shack just when the tornado hit the ground. It turned the shack into a pile of lumber with the three of them under the pile. Just as quickly as the tornado came it went and all was quiet. Mama checked Tammy and Skip, but no one was hurt, but they were pinned down under the lumber and couldn’t get out.

“All I’ve got to get us out of here is my scissors here in my apron pocket,” sighed Mama.

“Well, all I’ve got is this pencil, but look over there! I think that hole is big enough for Skip to get through.”

“You’ve given me an idea. Let’s cut a piece from my apron, write on it with your pencil and tie it around Skip’s neck and send him to your daddy,” said Mama excitedly.

Soon Skip was on his way to the barn. Paul took the piece of apron off Skip’s neck, read the note and was on his way to help his wife and daughter.

“You’re a good old Skip,” said Paul on his way to what used to be the shack. He moved the pile of lumber enough to get Tammy and her Mama free. The four of them walked happily back to their farmhouse.

“Boy! Have we ever got a story to tell Grandma and Grandpa,” said Tammy as she sipped her hot chocolate.

“Yup, we sure do.” answered Daddy.

Mama was too comfortable, sitting beside the glowing fire in the fireplace with her hot chocolate in her hands, to say anything, but she smiled her answer.

Now who made sure Mama had scissors and an apron and who made sure that Tammy had a pencil? I think it was God, don’t you?

A Memorial Service to Remember

I didn’t write my blog yesterday because I went to a Memorial service and I was glad I didn’t.It gives me the chance to tell you about that service which was different from any I have attended before.

When I entered the church I was given a pretty bag and told to take anything that was on the table. The table was laden with tiny bags containing the favorite cookies and candies of Eddie Butler, the man who died. I put a cookie and a bag of candy in my bag along with Eddie’s obituary and a program for the service and walked inside the packed church.

The Eddie Butler I knew was the man who greeted me each Sunday morning when I came to church. He always wore a smile and said “Good morning” like he really meant it. He was a quiet and humble man, but I didn’t know him at all!

He was a black man who accomplished much during his lifetime. He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps and a great football player in both his high school and college years. Not only that, but he earned both a BA and a MA degree in college and even did some work in a doctor’s degree. He did that during the 40’s and 50’s when the black men and women were considered much lower than the white people. Certainly Eddie was one who fought and won whatever he wanted.

He taught elementary school for 32 years and was selected teacher of the year in 1988. The people who filled the church that day knew and loved that man and it was obvious that they thought he was a great man not only for his activities but for his attitude about life itself. The church was filled with both black and white folks, but no one thought about that. They were there to honor this great man who was always quiet and humble.

Eddie had what every person should have. He walked with God and everyone knew that. I wonder if that isn’t the reason he was able to do the things he did. He didn’t do all those things by himself. God was always close beside him. That was the reason we held that wonderful service of celebration. Eddie did it God’s way