AFC053008
Happy Aloha Friday!
Well, I’m a bit late getting this out today. First time I tried, it crashed, so here we go again.
Do you remember this image? It is “Forever Love.” I was reminded of it by some e-mails I got this week from friends. The e-mail was called “The Dash.” This is a way to look at that message:
http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/
Here’s part of a message I sent in response just a while ago: I’ve considered this idea of the dash more than once. I’ve thought about it being a scrolling line, a branching line, a squiggly line, an artfully thin or thick line, and finally decided I’d rather just have three dots like . . . following my birth date and then no date at the other end.
CHARLES OLIN TODD, III
NOVEMBER 20, 1946 TO . . .
😉
Think about that for a few minutes. Now, consider this:
The things we do to help each other are really the things that matter. Of course we all know that, and we want to live in a way that eases the lives of others. With so much violence and anger and confusion and pain and — well, you get the idea. There is a story I used some time ago that I want to share with you again. The point of this story is that we never know when an act of kindness will end up being a great blessing to us. Did you watch the movie Evan Almighty? That made a pretty good point about “Acts of Random Kindness.” ARK. For the little girl in this story an act of kindness reveals her true nature. For the little girl in the poem, there is no act of kindness and she remains a child of sorrow.
What will you do today to help the children like Dolores? They could be sitting right next to you, might be a next door neighbor, might go to your church or be in one of your classes at school. What will you do, and who will be revealed to you?
The Pink Dress
There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by.
She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop. The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes. Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl, for as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.
As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl’s dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her. Deformities are a low blow in our society, and heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.
As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, “Hello.” The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a “hi”; after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back
We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, “Because, I’m different ” I immediately said, “That you are!”, and smiled The little girl acted even sadder and said, “I know.”
“Little girl,” I said, “You remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.” She looked at me and smiled, and then slowly she got to her feet and said, “Really?” “Yes, you’re like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all people walking by.” She nodded her head yes, and smiled.
With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, and then she said “I am. I’m your Guardian Angel,” with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless — sure I was seeing things. She said, “For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done.” I got to my feet and said, “Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?” She looked at me, smiled, and said, “You’re the only one that could see me,” and then she was gone.
And with that, my life was changed dramatically. So, when you think you’re all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way. The value of a friend is measured in the heart. I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you. You never know! S/he might even send you an e-mail!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tickle me blue.
Her name was Dolores.
She was four.
She had a cute pug nose
and long angel-like hair.
Her eyes were large —
larger than they really should have been.
From one eye came a single
slow, dirty tear.
Her little pink dress
made a background
for her own emptiness.
She sat like a wilted flower
all alone in an
old, empty garden.
She had her arms crossed
and her hands pressed against her ribs
trying to remember laughing —
trying to tickle herself.
Her name was Dolores.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Make it a wonderful Aloha Friday. Angels watching over me, watching over you, too.
Go. Make a difference. It is in your heart to do so. How do I know? Look what happened to Forever Love.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved
chick
AFC053008
Happy Aloha Friday!
Well, I’m a bit late getting this out today. First time I tried, it crashed, so here we go again.
Do you remember this image? It is “Forever Love.” I was reminded of it by some e-mails I got this week from friends. The e-mail was called “The Dash.” This is a way to look at that message:
http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/
Here’s part of a message I sent in response just a while ago: I’ve considered this idea of the dash more than once. I’ve thought about it being a scrolling line, a branching line, a squiggly line, an artfully thin or thick line, and finally decided I’d rather just have three dots like . . . following my birth date and then no date at the other end.
CHARLES OLIN TODD, III
NOVEMBER 20, 1946 TO . . .
😉
Think about that for a few minutes. Now, consider this:
The things we do to help each other are really the things that matter. Of course we all know that, and we want to live in a way that eases the lives of others. With so much violence and anger and confusion and pain and — well, you get the idea. There is a story I used some time ago that I want to share with you again. The point of this story is that we never know when an act of kindness will end up being a great blessing to us. Did you watch the movie Evan Almighty? That made a pretty good point about “Acts of Random Kindness.” ARK. For the little girl in this story an act of kindness reveals her true nature. For the little girl in the poem, there is no act of kindness and she remains a child of sorrow.
What will you do today to help the children like Dolores? They could be sitting right next to you, might be a next door neighbor, might go to your church or be in one of your classes at school. What will you do, and who will be revealed to you?
The Pink Dress
There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by.
She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop. The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes. Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl, for as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.
As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl’s dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her. Deformities are a low blow in our society, and heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.
As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, “Hello.” The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a “hi”; after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back
We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, “Because, I’m different ” I immediately said, “That you are!”, and smiled The little girl acted even sadder and said, “I know.”
“Little girl,” I said, “You remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.” She looked at me and smiled, and then slowly she got to her feet and said, “Really?” “Yes, you’re like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all people walking by.” She nodded her head yes, and smiled.
With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, and then she said “I am. I’m your Guardian Angel,” with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless — sure I was seeing things. She said, “For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done.” I got to my feet and said, “Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?” She looked at me, smiled, and said, “You’re the only one that could see me,” and then she was gone.
And with that, my life was changed dramatically. So, when you think you’re all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way. The value of a friend is measured in the heart. I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you. You never know! S/he might even send you an e-mail!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tickle me blue.
Her name was Dolores.
She was four.
She had a cute pug nose
and long angel-like hair.
Her eyes were large —
larger than they really should have been.
From one eye came a single
slow, dirty tear.
Her little pink dress
made a background
for her own emptiness.
She sat like a wilted flower
all alone in an
old, empty garden.
She had her arms crossed
and her hands pressed against her ribs
trying to remember laughing —
trying to tickle herself.
Her name was Dolores.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Make it a wonderful Aloha Friday. Angels watching over me, watching over you, too.
Go. Make a difference. It is in your heart to do so. How do I know? Look what happened to Forever Love.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved
chick
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
