Monday, November 30, 2009

THE BEGGAR AND THE STAR

SATURDAY MY SWEET HUBBY AND I MADE OUR EVERY OTHER DAY
TRIP TO HENNESSEY TO SEE OUR BUTTERFLY'S RESTING PLACE.
I THOUGHT ABOUT ALL THE LOVE SHE HAD TO GIVE TO SO MANY
PEOPLE. I CRIED FOR ALL THE THINGS SHE NEVER WAS ABLE TO
DO IN HER YOUNG LIFE AND I WAS SO HAPPY FOR ALL THE THINGS
SHE WAS ABLE TO DO.
REALITY HIT ME. IT WAS LIKE WHAT WAS LEFT OF MY HEART
SHATTERED AND FELL PIECE BY PIECE UPON THE FRESH DIRT.
I HAD THE URGE TO RUN BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN
UGLY SITE......SAGGY BOOBS SLAPPING MY EARS AND MY BUTT
TRYING TO PASS ME.....LOL
I DECIDED ON A LESS TAXING ADVENTURE.
MY HUBBY AND I WENT TO A THRIFT SHOP.
I LOVE DIGGING THROUGH THE BOOKS AND ART.
I FOUND SOME AWESOME BOOKS.
ONE IS CALLED:
A COUNTRY SAMPLER
OF SIMPLE BLESSINGS.
A COLLECTION OF
HOMESPUN STORIES
AND PAINTINGS CELEBRATING
THE EVERYDAY MOMENTS OF LIFE
BY~ELLEN STOUFFER
WITH PEG CARMACK SHORT
BELOW I HAVE INCLUDED ONE OF THE STORIES
FROM HER DELIGHTFUL BOOK
IN THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY AS MUCH AS I DID.
MY HUSBAND SCANNED THE TWO PICTURES FROM THE BOOK
AND I ADDED A PICTURE OF A LITTLE GIRL THAT CAME TO
MY MIND AS I WAS READING THE STORY
GO GET YOURSELF A CUP OF TEA AND EMBRACE THE SEASON
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE,
GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN
LUKE 2:14
I HAVE GONE THERE OFTEN IN MEMORY----THE ROOM
SHIMMERING IN THE GLOW OF FLICKERING CANDLES
AND TWINKLING CHRISTMAS-TREE LIGHTS, HUSHED
AND STILL.
MY MOTHER SITS IN THE CENTER OF A CIRCLE OF WOMEN,
MEMBERS OF HER SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WHO HAVE
GATHERED AT OUR HOUSE THIS EVENING FOR THEIR
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY. WITH HER SWEET SMILE AND
STRAWBERRY-BLOND CURLS, MOTHER LOOKS LIKE AN ANGEL
TO ME. EVEN AS YOUNG AS I AM, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A
POWER IN HER PRESENCE AS SHE SPEAKS. HER VOICE STARTS
OFF SOFTLY AS SHE BEGINS TO RECITE AN OLD POEM,
"THE BEGGAR AND THE STAR",
BY VIVIAN LARAMORE RADER.
There came to my door a beggar,
In the dim December light,
To ask for a crust and a corner
Where he might stay for the night.
My house was already crowded
My food, a meager store;
So I said, "I'm very sorry,
But you'll have to ask next door."
MOTHER'S VOICE RISES AND FALLS DRAMATICALLY.
SHE GREW UP MEMORIZING POEMS, AND HER RECITATIONS
ARE AN EXPECTED AND LOVED PART OF OUR FAMILY LIFE.
I'VE INHERITED HER PASSION FOR BEAUTIFUL WORDS AND
SPELLBINDING IMAGERY. AS I LISTENED TO THE POEM, I
CAN'T IMAGINE MY MOTHER TURNING AWAY ANYONE WHO
WAS NEEDY. "IT'S MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE,"
SHE OFTEN REMINDS MY SISTER AND ME.
MOTHER BELIEVES DEEPLY IN THE GIVING OF CHRISTMAS. ONE
HAS ONLY TO LOOK AROUND THE ROOM TO SEE SHE HAS TAKEN
GREAT CARE TO MAKE EVERYTHING PERFECT FOR HER GUESTS
TONIGHT. FOR WEEKS SHE HAS POLISHED AND CLEANED, COOKED
AND BAKED, AND SPENT MANY HOURS PREPARING LITTLE GIFTS
FOR EACH GUEST. THEY WILL DINE ON FINE CHINA, EAT WITH
GLEAMING SILVER, AND DRINK FROM CRYSTAL GOBLETS.
WE ARE NOT A WEALTHY FAMILY, BUT MY MOTHER EXTENDS
THE BEST SHE HAS TO VISITORS.
MY THOUGHTS RETURN TO THE POEM, AS THE NARRATOR
CONTINUES TALKING TO THE BEGGAR AT HER DOOR:
". . . I can bring you tea I've
been saving
For a special guest."
He looked at me for a moment,
"Not dressed as I am dressed?"
"Oh, no," I said, "to be honest,
I've never liked beggars much,
They've always seemed unworthy,
Unclean in thought and touch."
THE WORDS REMIND ME OF THE SUNDAY WE WENT TO
ST. LOUIS AND MET A BEGGAR ON THE STREET. HE WAS
ASKING FOR COINS AND SAID HE WAS HUNGRY. INSTEAD OF
GIVING HIM MONEY, MY FATHER INVITED HIM INTO THE
RESTAURANT WHERE WE WERE GOING AND TOLD HIM HE
WOULD PAY FOR HIS MEAL. AS WE ENTERED THE RESTAURANT
IN OUR CHURCH FINERY, ACCOMPANIED BY A DIRTY, RAGGED
BEGGAR, SOME PEOPLE LOOKED AT US CURIOUSLY. OTHERS
EYED US WITH CONTEMPT. BUT MY DAD TREATED THE BEGGAR
WITH POLITENESS AND RESPECT, AND DADDY'S DEMEANOR
CONVEYED TO THE RESTAURANT STAFF THAT THEY WERE TO
DO THE SAME. THE BEGGAR DECLINED TO SIT WITH US,
CHOOSING INSTEAD A BACK CORNER TABLE WHERE HE CONSUMED
HUGE AMOUNTS OF FOOD. WHEN HE HAD EATEN, HE NODDED
QUICKLY TO MY DAD AS HE STARTED TO LEAVE. BUT DADDY
WALKED OVER AND EXTENDED HIS HAND TO THE MAN.
THE BEGGAR TOOK IT WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND COVERED
IT IN A WARM CLASP WITH HIS LEFT. THEN HE SEEMED TO GROW
TALLER, STRAIGHTENING HIS BACK, AS HE WALKED FROM THE
RESTAURANT WITH GREAT DIGNITY.
And I saw that his rags were glowing
Like garments of finest gold,
and his face was young as tomorrow,
Though I knew that the man was old . . .
And I thought of the homeless thousands
Who trudge the world today,
And I said, "Forgive me, Master,
I'm begging you to stay."
BY THE TIME MOTHER REACHES THIS POINT IN THE
POEM, IT IS OBVIOUS TO THE WOMEN FROM HER SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASS, AND TO ME, THAT THIS POEM IS AN ALLEGORY--
THE BEGGAR REPRESENTS CHRIST, AND THE NARRATOR REPRESENTS
THE WORLD THAT HAS NO ROOM FOR HIM IN ITS HEART. THE
POEM IS MOTHER'S WAY OF REMINDING US THAT THE TRUE
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IS LOVE.
THAT POEM MOVED ME DEEPLY AS A CHILD, BUT IT WASN'T
UNTIL I WAS AN ADULT THAT THE MESSAGE OF THE POEM
CAME TO LIFE FOR ME. IN ADDITION TO MANAGING A HOME
AND RAISING THREE YOUNG CHILDREN, I HAD RECENTLY
RETURNED TO WORK. THAT YEAR THE THOUGHT OF THE
APPROACHING HOLIDAYS FILLED ME WITH DREAD INSTEAD
OF MY USUAL JOY. ALL I COULD THINK OF WERE THE EXTRAS
THE SEASON SEEMED TO CALL FOR----SPENDING MONEY, SHOPPING,
BAKING, WRITING CARDS, AND DECORATING. I COULDN'T SEE
HOW I WAS GOING TO GET EVERY THING DONE IN TIME---
IT FELT AS IF THE ONLY VERSE OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY
I COULD RELATE TO WAS, "AND THEY CAME WITH HASTE. . ."
I NEITHER NOTICED NOR THOUGHT ABOUT THE "homeless
thousands." I RESENTED THE BELL RINGERS ON STREET CORNERS
AND THE CHARITABLE REQUESTS THAT CROWDED MY MAILBOX---
THEY ONLY ADDED TO THE PRESSURE I ALREADY FELT.
THREE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, MOTHER CALLED TO ASK FOR
MY HELP. SHE'D JUST HEARD OF A FAMILY WHO'D LOST EVERY-
THING IN A HOUSE FIRE. THE HOUSEHOLD INCLUDED A FATHER
AND TWO LITTLE GIRLS. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION
MOTHER HAD, THE MOTHER OF THIS FAMILY HAD DIED
EARLIER THAT YEAR FROM CANCER.
MOTHER SAID SHE COULD BUY THE GROCERIES, BUT SHE
WONDERED IF I WOULD SHOP FOR THE LITTLE GIRLS. I WAS
SO FAR BEHIND WITH MY OWN SHOPPING AND PREPARATION,
THAT I REALLY WANTED TO SAY I WAS MUCH TOO BUSY, BUT
I JUST COULDN'T SAY NO TO HER. THEN SHE ASKED IF I WOULD
HELP HER WRAP AND DELIVER THESE GIFTS OF THE MORNING
OF CHRISTMAS EVE. GRUDGINGLY, I AGREED.
WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE FAMILY'S APARTMENT THAT
MORNING, IT WAS SMALL AND DREARY, AND THE FATHER
SEEMED LISTLESS AND SAD. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE
HOLIDAY----NOT EVEN A TINY TREE. ONE OF THE CHILDREN
WAS JUST A BABY, AND THE OTHER LITTLE GIRL, WHOSE
NAME WAS ALICE, WAS FIVE.

AS SOON AS I SAW HER, I REGRETTED MY HASTY SHOPPING.

SHE WELCOMED US WITH A SWEET SMILE, AND HER EYES WERE

WIDE WITH EXCITEMENT AS SHE NOTICED THE GIFT-WRAPPED PRESENTS ALONG

WITH THE BASKET OF FOOD.

"DID YOU BRING SOMETHING FOR MY SISTER?" SHE ASKED ME.

"YES," I TOLD HER. "AND SOMETHING FOR YOU TOO."

"WHAT ABOUT MY DADDY?" SHE WHISPERED. "MOMMY ALWAYS TOOK

ME TO BUY A PRESENT FOR HIM. BUT SHE'S UP IN HEAVEN NOW WITH

THE ANGELS."

I WAS EMBARRASSED, AS I'D ONLY BOUGHT GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN.

"I'M SORRY SWEETHEART," I SAID. "I DON'T HAVE A PRESENT FOR YOUR

DADDY OTHER THAN THE BASKET OF FOOD."

SHE CONSIDERED THAT FOR A MOMENT AND THEN ASKED, "DO

YOU THINK MAYBE YOU COULD TAKE BACK MY GIFT AND GET SOME-

THING FOR DADDY? HE'S BEEN AWFULLY SAD WITH MOMMY GONE,

AND I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM SMILE."

IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP MY TEARS FROM FALLING AS I

PROMISED I'D BE BACK WITH A GIFT FOR HER DAD. MOTHER DIDN'T

EVEN QUESTION ME WHEN I ASKED IF SHE HAD TIME TO GO WITH ME

TO THE LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER.

NOT ONLY DID WE BUY ALICE'S FATHER THE WARM GLOVES SHE
HAD REQUESTED FOR HIM, BUT ALSO A SCARF AND A CAP. I
PICKED UP SEVERAL MORE SURPRISES FOR THE CHILDREN.
THEN I ASKED MOTHER WHAT SHE THOUGHT ABOUT BUYING A LITTLE
TREE. WE PRAYED WE WEREN'T PRESUMING TOO MUCH, THEN WENT
AHEAD AND BOUGHT THE TREE, LIGHTS, AND ORNAMENTS TO
DECORATE IT.
INSTEAD OF RESENTING OUR SECOND INTRUSION, THE FATHER CRIED
WHEN HE SAW THE CHRISTMAS TREE. "I WANTED TO GET ONE," HE SAID.
"BUT WITH ALL THE THINGS WE NEEDED AFTER THE FIRE . . . HIS VOICE
TRAILED OFF.
THAT AFTERNOON, MOTHER AND I PUT ASIDE OUR OWN HOLIDAY
PREPARATIONS AS WE HELPED THE LITTLE GIRL AND HER DAD DECORATE
THEIR TREE. AS WE WORKED, WE SANG CHRISTMAS CAROLS. AFTER WE
FINISHED THE TREE, MOTHER HAD A CUP OF TEA AND CHATTED WITH
ALICE'S FATHER WHILE ALICE AND I SLIPPED OFF TO HER BEDROOM TO
WRAP HER GIFTS AND MAKE A CARD FOR HER DAD.
WHEN WE LEFT THAT DAY, I TURNED BACK TO SEE ALICE LOOKING
UP AT HER DAD AND HIM SMILING DOWN AT HER. THEN I LOOKED
AT MOTHER, WHO WAS SMILING AND WATCHING ME. SUDDENLY I
FELT AS IF A HUGE WEIGHT HAD BEEN LIFTED FROM MY CHEST, AND
FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT CHRISTMAS SEASON, I HAD A HAPPY
HEART.
And I felt a soaring gladness
No language can impart,
For Love itself lay cradled
In the manger of my heart.
And a thousand bells were ringing
From a thousand towers tall
Glory to God in the highest!
And peace be unto all.

DOESN'T THAT STORY JUST MELT YOUR CHOCOLATE.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING A STORY WITH ME FROM MY NEW BOOK.
THE PRICE OF THAT JOY WAS BOUGHT FOR .75 CENTS AND IT IS A
HARD BACK BOOK.
I PRAY EVERYONE OF YOU HAVE A WARM AND FUZZY DAY.
SO VERY MANY PEOPLE ARE IN NEED OF PRAYER. I PRAY ESPECIALLY
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE LOYAL TO FOLLOW MY BLOG AND HAVE
BEEN THERE TO SUPPORT ME AND MY FAMILY THROUGH THIS VERY
DIFFICULT TIME. YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS AND DEAR TO ME.
BLESSINGS





MAY WE ALL REMEMBER THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS



THIS YEAR AND KEEP JESUS THE HEAD OF IT.


ANGEL HUGS







15 comments:

  1. Debbie, I do believe that is one of the best Christmas stories I have ever read. There are others, too, but that one is truly special.

    Sending you much love today and each day of this season and throughout the year to come.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  2. Debbie~ what a wonderful story! I enjoyed it so much and thank you for sharing it with me:) Hugs~ carmen

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  3. Debbie I know this story truly comes from your heart. That makes the best stories. I am so blessed to know you through this medium of blogging. I am mailing your package today. Let me know if and when it arrives. May each stitch you make in this project be a prayer of mine united with yours for your family and loved ones. Blessings
    QMM

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  4. Dear Debbie,
    What a beautiful story! I hope everyday you and your family feels better. This will be a long and difficult way, and only your beautiful memories from Amy could bring you peace and a little smile in your face again. Sending a big hug from my family, Evelyn

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  5. December Blessings to you this fine day!
    Merry Christmas and God Bless you.

    May you have the most wonderful time of the year as you decorate for Christmas and celebrate the LORD Jesus's Birthday.

    Sweet memories,
    d from Kansas

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  6. Very very good story, Debbie. God must've had that book waiting for you.

    ♥ Heidi

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  7. Debbie,

    I love Christmas stories and this one was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

    Rose

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  8. Thank you, Debbie. Tears are in my eye after reading this beautiful story. It has a message we need to heed all year round. Thinking of you during this Holiday season.

    xoxo
    Claudia

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  9. I have read many Christmas stories over the years. This is indeed one of the best ever. I sit here, tears in my eyes ... both enlightened and shamed.

    God bless you and your family, my dear. It will be so hard, but God will help. He will provide you peace and love, as he has for me since my dear brother went to heaven ... it seems like yesterday but I find it's been nearly 8 years.

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  10. Oh, that made me cry but good. We can find so many lovely things at thrift shops, and indeed just all around us.

    I think you also had gotten a tattered book at the thrift shop awhile back, that you loved to read to Amy, and she loved to hear, a book about miracles...certainly there are miracles wrought every day in people's hearts. I wish a miracle of peace could come to your grieving heart but all in due time, all in due time.

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  11. What a warm and uplifting Christmas story, thank you so much for sharing my friend...always in my heart and prayers..Hugs

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  12. Thanks for sharing such a lovely story. And thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciated your comments so much. It is nice to begin to know you a little. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter Amy. I really can't imagine how hard it must be to be celebrating holidays at this point in your life. You must be missing her terribly.

    Congratulations on such a long marriage! It is an encouragement to all of us. Believe me, we've had our ups and downs, but God is faithful and we are blessed.

    I can relate to your comment, too, about the refereeing. I used to coach Under 13 girls in soccer and was always appalled at how cruel the adults could be, not just to the refs, but also to the poor little girls. In sports, you see it all! My dh coached our son in hockey for years.

    Well, I hope to see you around Blue Monday again soon. Have a blessed week!

    Smiles,
    Tricia

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  13. I loved that story - and thank you for taking the time to post it on your blog - that must have taken awhile. Glad you went to the thrift store.

    Even though your heart broke and fell and you wanted to run - you did add some humor to the story.

    Love and hugs,
    Sandie

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  14. I don't blame you for wanting to run from the cemetary when your pain is just breaking your heart like it is. Had a little chuckle with your comment about running though. That was cute.
    Your mom and you both sound like very special ladies. I loved the stories.

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  15. Debbie, your blog is so loving, heartfelt and meaningful...it has so many elements of what we mortals sometimes have to go thru and how we are dealing with it. But with the help of our Lord Jesus, friends and family we can make it thru.

    And altho I know anger often comes into play ... MORE than we think we are harboring.... about what has happened and continues to happend to us..as a breaved parent. So watch for those feelings turning into depression.
    See this link :-
    http://thegriefblog.com/grief/bereavement/grief/is-grieving-different-when-you-lose-an-adult-child-vs-a-small-child/

    But depression is only one of them. So take care of yourself. ( Talk to your Doctor of course about any of your symptoms. )
    And we just have to be patient with ourselves...before we start to feel "normal" again.
    There is an wonderful Organization called
    " The Compassionate Friends....specifically for bereaved parents and their loved ones.
    See this link:-
    http://www.compassionatefriends.org/home.aspx They have a Chapter locator on the site for when and where the group meets.
    It was very helpful to me when I was going thru this when I lost my daughter.

    With Love,

    Rose

    http://delightfulclutter.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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Angel Hugs
debbie