Monthly Archives: January 2008

Little Cardinal

Yesterday,  a Cardinal flew into the glass of the sliding door.
He was addled.  I was afraid he would die.
I posted Carson and Nevin to watch for the outdoor cats who were prowling around
And I prayed that the red bird would gather his wits about him and fly away.

I gave him some time, then slipped out onto the deck and took his picture.
I hoped that my presence would spur him to escape.
It didn’t.
I came back in to commiserate with Eldest Daughter concerning his fate.
The little boys were divided in their opinions.
Carson worried.
Nevin banged on the window, trying to scare him into movement.

About 20 minutes had passed, and he still sat there in a stupor.
I knew that I needed expert advice.
So I called Certain Man and asked what I should do.
“Should I put him on the platform feeder?  What should I do?”
“Put him on the far side of one of the hanging feeders where the cat cannot reach him.”
Now that was great advice.  Why didn’t I think of that?

I eased open the sliding glass door and snuck around the edge.
He looked up with unblinking black eyes.
Suddenly, he spread his wings and got airborne.
He wobbled and made funny flight patterns
Then took the very first branch he came to.
We watched, rejoicing from the warmth of the family room
And he settled in for a good long rest.

Such a beautiful bird.  I’m so glad that he recovered.

Today was one of those Delaware days.
The temperature is low.
There is a mean wind blowing.

I make swiss cheese and ham sandwiches in the early morning light.
I think about the men my sons have become.
Heading out into the extreme cold.  Learning hard life lessons.
Construction work in Delaware is not for softies.

Through the day, their job comes to mind over and over again.
When I step out of the warmth of the car to the doctors office with my Nettie-Girl.
When I come back out and the force of the wind hits me square
And seems to go right through me. 

I pull my flapping jacket closer around me, and find there is no real warmth
Against this biting, cutting wind.
I pray the Lord to make them strong.  And cautious.  And wise.  And full of optimism.
I pray the Lord to provide respite from the wind.
I pray against bitterness, discouragement and despair.

They tumbled in tonight.  The coffee was on.
“J’amaican Me Crazy”  blend from Dolce’s swirled its comforting smell out to the back door.
Pork Barbecue was in the oven.  Martin Potato Rolls on the cupboard.
They started to “unpeel” and I had to laugh.
Plastic Wal-mart bags around shoes inside boots.
Work pants came off.  Then sweat pants.  Then work shorts. Then there were flannel pajama bottoms.
(Whatever happened to long underwear???)
I see Youngest Son curling up beside the burning flame of the pellet stove.
Oldest Son tending to the “foreman” responsibilities of truck and fellow employees before allowing himself the luxury of warm house and lounging clothes.

Tonight they soak up the warmth and the fire and the comfort of home.
Tomorrow is to be even colder.  And tomorrow they go back out to the job.
It no longer is my responsibility to keep them warm and safe.
I will always be glad when they come home for warmth and food and comfort and encouragement.
But tonight, I know those days are seriously numbered.
And that is okay.  It is the way of Men.
And they are men.  They don’t even love me best of all anymore.

And so, I pack the lunches with a prayer.
I remember the days when I would take my hand and pretend to sprinkle “love” into their food.
It made them laugh.
They are way too big for that trick now.
What they don’t know is that, even though my hand is still,
My heart is sprinkling love all over those Swiss cheese and ham sandwiches.

And I will always love them.

Last night, as is the usual practice for our little country church,

We met for the soup and salad fundraiser for our youth group.  They are planning a trip to New York City in late spring for sightseeing, street evangelism and WORK, so they are planning ahead for the funds for this adventure.

These are the soups:

Shrimp Chowder, Chicken Corn Noodle and Taco.

And these are our servers:

Mary Beth, Laura and Rachel

And these are the Helpers/servers of the tea, hot chocolate, coffee, etc/ and even the cook of the shrimp chowder!

Abby (she made the shrimp chowder, and it was terrific!) Jessica and Joel.

By the time I got there, some of the tables were already full:

Some of the Bontrager cousins joined us for part of the evening.

Some more Bontragers, and at the end of the table is a couple who saw the advertisement on the sign and decided to come for supper — then stayed straight through to the New year.  That was very exciting for us!

Another table where good friends gathered.

It was fun to see people as they came in.

Kaleb and his grandma, my good friend, Loretta.

Loretta’s sister is visiting for a while over the Holidays.

(We’re so glad to have you, Carolyn.)

The youth group also provided an abundance of choices on the Salad Bar.

Here Miss Barbara makes her selections.

And the “acting Youth Sponsors” kept a careful watch over everything.

Thank-you, Jesse and Christina!

After supper, there was time for some games.

Some of the men played Greedy! Gary, Robert, Daniel and Dale

And some of the women played “Golf” with Uno Cards, or table games.  The kids played “Apples to Apples”  “Imaginiff”  “Dutch Blitz!” etc.

Loretta is explaining while Carolyn and Emma try to figure things out.

Unfortunately, about now (9:30 pm) was when I needed to come home with my two ladies.  I had already stretched things pretty far for my Nettie-girl.  When Certain Man and Youngest Daughter came in around 12:30AM, they told me of the wonderfu evening they had just enjoyed.  Around 11, everyone pitched in and cleaned up The Gathering Place (the basement) and then adjourned to the sanctuary for a time of prayer to see the New Year in. It was a very meaningful time for members of our congregation, and I trust those who came to be with us were blessed as well.

Happy New Year, Dear Friends.  God Bless us, every one!