Dedicated in memory of my dear, dear friend, Amber, who passed
away from multiple sclerosis at age 19 on September 27th, 2008.
Blogging Friends.... I never pictured myself as being someone who
writes fictional children's stories. It just sort of mysteriously happened!! Not that I
am complaining. I love writing children's stories!! Each time I do, I'm "creating beautiful mosaic artwork" with the pieces of my broken, shattered dream!! This children's story began as a poem. Which, I'm afraid, sucked!! Well, I turned
the poem into a children's story!! For my dear Blogging Friends who have kids.
You may print this story off and read it to them!! I am alright with that!!
Enjoy!!
"Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims"
It was a freezing cold November morning, with clear blue skies, no
white fluffy clouds in sight. Thanksgiving Day. Smells of plump turkey, seasoned
stuffing, and creamy mashed potatoes filled the house. Yum!! Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade was on television, with famous singers, character
floats, dancing, plus, of course, Santa Claus. Phaedra and her brother, Moses,
were sitting in the living room, watching it. Well, Phaedra seemed a bit
distracted. Something was clearly bothering her, and sweet, sensitive Moses
knew.
"Are you alright?" asked Moses, "You're not watching
the parade!!" He then pointed to a character float. "Look!! It is
Clifford the Big Red Dog!!"
"I am just thinking about and missing Amber." said
Phaedra.
Amber was a dear friend of Phaedra's. They used to write letters
back and forth. But Amber was very, very, very sick. First, she lost her eyesight,
and became blind. Then, Amber could not walk anymore. She needed a wheelchair. And,
sadly, just two months ago, on September 27th, Amber died.
"I wonder if Amber misses Thanksgiving?" asked Phaedra, "She
always loved holidays and her family. I wonder if Amber misses the tasty food?"
Phaedra looked sad, like she was going to cry. Then, as some famous
singer from a Disney Channel show sang on the television screen, Moses stopped
watching, and looked at his sister. But he smiled. Because a warm, happy
thought just crossed Moses' mind.
"Oh, but Phaedra," he said, "Amber is in Heaven!! Do
you know what that means?"
"No," answered Phaedra, tears now filling her eyes,
"What does it mean?"
"Amber is having Thanksgiving dinner with the Pilgrims!! They
lived a long, long time ago, remember? We learned about the Pilgrims in
school!! Remember? They sailed far, far away in a crowded ship called "The
Mayflower" from England to America. Friendly Indians lived there. One of
them, named Squanto, even taught the Pilgrims how to hunt for deer, find
berries and herbs, and plant corn!!"
"Then," Moses finished, "The Pilgrims invited their
Indian friends to a huge Thanksgiving dinner!!"
Phaedra scowled, her face looking confused.
"What does all of this have to do with Amber?" she asked.
"Well. Many of the Pilgrims died of sickness, too, like Amber
did," answered Moses. "Now, they are living in Heaven, with Jesus and
singing angels!! So is Amber!! I believe that in Heaven there's a huge
Thanksgiving dinner, even better than ours!!"
Moses' voice grew excited, as Phaedra listened. He had captured her
attention.
"There is a long, long table, like the one they used in The
Last Supper," Moses continued, "Picture this. There is a lot of food
to eat. Plump turkey. Seasoned stuffing. Creamy mashed potatoes. Bright red
cranberry. Soft sweet potatoes. Corn casserole. Gamey deer. Seafood-smelling
lobster. Goose.... Without the feathers, of course. Crunchy onions. Sweet,
healthy berries."
Phaedra's tummy growled. All this talk about Amber's Thanksgiving
dinner with the Pilgrims made her hungry!!
"And then there is dessert!!" Moses went on, "Sweet,
creamy cheesecake. Crunchy pecan pie. Chocolate. Lots and lots and lots of chocolate!! Spicy pumpkin pie. And so
much more!!"
Phaedra licked her lips. The thought of such Heavenly desserts got
her "sweet tooth" going!! Forget dinner. Now Phaedra only wanted
dessert!! Yummy!!
"And that is just dessert!!" continued Moses,
"Sitting around the long, long table are Pilgrims, dressed in their period
clothing. Real-life Pilgrims, not
somebody pretending to be them. Moms are wearing dresses and bonnets on
their heads. They have been busy getting all this tasty food ready for eating.
And now they're serving it in Heaven!! Dads are wearing baggy pants, buckled
shoes, plus hats. They're patiently waiting for food. Angels are playing harps
like little guitars, and singing lovely songs. Jesus is sitting at the head of
this long, long table, smiling. And then
there is Amber!! Blond haired, blue-eyed, completely healed from her
sickness. She is sitting at the long, long table right next to Pilgrims!!"
Now Phaedra was smiling. Moses did just paint a neat picture!!
"See, Phaedra?" said Moses, "Amber has a lot to be
thankful for this year. She is free from her sickness. Angels sing. She gets to
have Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims. And, best of all? Amber is face-to-face
with Jesus!!"
Both Phaedra and Moses smiled at such a beautiful thought. Amber
having Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims. Such
a beautiful thought, indeed.
What a lovely way of looking at your friend's passing. It is comforting to imagine our loved ones partying up there.
ReplyDeleteLynne x
Lynne....
DeleteThank-you for the comment, Friend!! I truly appreciated it!! ;)
"What a lovely way of looking at your friend's passing. It is comforting to imagine our loved ones partying up there.". I know, right? ;op
Just beautiful.....really beautiful. Have a serene Sunday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Molly....
DeleteThank-you for the comment, Friend!!
"Just beautiful.....really beautiful.". Thank-you!! ;op
With the pilgrims and face to face with Jesus, Amen. Your story is a special way to remember her.
ReplyDeleteI'll read this aloud to the kids in our morning time on Monday. :)
Roberta....
DeleteThank-you for the comment, Friend!!
"I'll read this aloud to the kids in our morning time on Monday.". Feel free, I would like that!! You just touched my heart!! ;)
Oh. You may also print off/read "Bubbles the Bubblegum Bunny", as well ;op
Just gorgeous and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Slobbers
Smile with Your Tail....
DeleteSorry for the belated reply, Friend, but I just saw this!! Right now!! ;)
"Just gorgeous and beautiful!". Thanks!! ;op