Ribbons and Bows
By Brenda Tucker
Back to the attic for another year? How many times have I gone up and down these steps? Dragged out of my warm and cozy rest just to be tossed hither and thither, with no regard for my stature at all! If I’m not desirable or needed, why not let me rest in peace! Just let me go…I’d rather be officially “discarded” than ignored and rebuked!
Sit with me a spell and let me tell you my story. I truly would like your opinion of my situation. I’m told perception has a lot to do with my plight but I also know that perception is reality. Thus puppy love is love to a puppy and ignorance is only bliss to the ignorant. But hearing the insight of an objective mind tends to change ones singular perception and blah, blah, blah!
Sorry, how I do go on! My story began some time ago. I have a hard time remembering exact dates, but I know it was right before the “big event!” My first recollection of existence was in a bed of straw. I had been placed in the public eye and I felt wanted and respected. It was no time at all until I was gently picked up and wrapped in colors, loved by all who came near. I remember the oooohs and ahhhhs as those whose curiosity or possibly insight brought them from near and far to check me out. I recall remarks like “how perfect”, “this is what we needed” or “they said to follow the signs.”
For years I was held in high regard and people seemed to pay attention when they came near me. Then for some reason, my circumstances changed. I was like an old hat that though it kept the head warm, its value was totally disregarded. Once a year, I was torn from the warmth of my own space and tossed about like an estranged kitten until it was time to go back on the shelf once more. I was no longer placed on display but kept securely sealed and hidden away among others who were once revered. I knew I was different from the others and that I had not lost any of my luster, but still I was a cast off. Unlike the others, I was at least removed from my nesting place and accessed for my relevance even though I landed back in the box to be tossed about until the season was over.
Year after year, this seemed to be my plight. I had adapted to my fate and expected no more or no less than what I’ve explained. By the time each festive season came around, I was anxious for the change and was able to enjoy being tossed about…at least I was being noticed, if only for a moment. The reality was, to my regret, that last year I wasn’t even taken out of the box. This year I fully expected to be tossed out with the torn wrappings and the discarded ribbons and bows.
To my amazement, this season I was aroused earlier than years past. And the manner in which I was handled was almost one of reverence or pride. I felt the warm water as I was cleaned until I glistened. As in the early days, I was displayed high above so all could see me. Once again, I heard the ooohs and ahhhs! Now I heard remarks like “wake up call” and “united we stand.” I also heard cries of mourning…of sadness…of need. Somehow I felt needed…like a light in the darkness. Just yesterday I heard them saying the old familiar “Happy New Year” but with a different tone than years past. It seems to me it was more of ushering out the old year (2001) rather than applauding the New Year.
Well, that’s my story and now I would like your opinion. You see, I don’t know what I am. I’ve never seen myself in a mirror...I only have others reactions to me to go by. I have some thoughts as to what I am and/or what I represent, but that’s the extent of it.
Ummmm! But you know, deep in my heart I know I’ll never again be ignored nor put on a shelf. I also know without a doubt that I’ll never be discarded with the ribbons and bows.
On second thought…I don’t want to know what I’m called. I think I’m different things and go by different names to different people. That’s as it should be!
Thank you for spending time with me and listening to my story. I know all I need to know now and perception is reality.
Seattle Skyline 1
Seattle Skyline 2
Thanks to Ted Skipper and family
for these great winter shots!
Click on a thumbnail to view photo.
Hyak
a comment from pwnkle .....
I'm going to address the subject of censorship at this sharp point. I have heard people criticize the religious nature of many posts in our cyber community but I haven't seen many posts or articles stating a differing point of view. This e-zine will not be censoring the articles that are sent in, so if you have a different point of view, you may write it down and send it. It will get published, unless it's really a stinker (kidding).
There's one more point I want to make. The views stated by individuals in the stories or articles they submit represent the opinions of the writer only. We aren't pushing any agenda, this is what was submitted for Virtuality by staff writers and members, feel free to disagree.
Michael Boyle
Michael Boyle
Since my youth I have acknowleged God as being my creator, His son Jesus as being my Savior, and the Holy Spirit as being my guide through this life and into the next. I speak of God as being three and at the same time as being one. I see His Word as being in the beginning with God and at the same time as being God, and thus, being inseparable--one.
His Word was made flesh (Jesus) and dwelt among men, and It was He who was the Light of the world. One purpose of the Light is to dispel the darkness and to reveal those things which dwell in that darkness (that darkness being the deceit and lies of Satan). He (Jesus) is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and by Him we are able to come to
the Father (God).
I state these beliefs as a premise to explain who I am and why I am the way I am. Because the Light has revealed the darkness, and because I have received the Light into my life, the existence of that darkness has been revealed to me. Darkness has waged war on the Light and upon anyone who has come into the Light. It is because of this knowledge that I take being a father very seriously. I have been given charge over
those whom, with my wife, I have birthed into this world.
In my household, I must be, to some degree, apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher to my wife and children. As an apostle I must establish the Word of God in their hearts and lives. As a prophet I must, without prejudice, state the guide-lines by which blessings and curses come into our lives. As an evangelist I must attempt to make of my wife and children disciples of the Lord Jesus, the Christ. As a pastor I must care for them as a shepherd cares for his sheep, making sure they have proper provision to sustain their lives. In this area I must also care for their daily emotional needs, physical needs and spiritual needs. As a teacher I must instruct them in the ways of life and the ways of God and teach them how these ways should correspond one with another.
In order to accomplish all of this I must first have Christ in my own life, and I must have the Holy Spirit as my guide in making correct decisions based on the many principles of God and life.
Life is truly a series of choices. The choices we make on a daily basis determine the place we find ourselves in the next day. This is due to the principle of sowing and reaping. I understand that each individual has to make his/her own choices in the long run, and no one can make those choices for them. Parents can only hope that after all the teaching and example setting, the right choices will be made by the children. This is not to say that in each situation there is only one right choice. In most cases there is more than one acceptable choice as well as more than one unacceptable choice. In many cases parents can assume a passive role in their children’s decision-making processes. However, in some cases, in order to be the parent that God would have us to be, the parent must assume an active or even an agressive role in that decision-making processs.
So, who am I? Like you, I am probably the product of genetics, environment, role models and a series of day to day choices that were made according to my concept of life. I guess I feel best about me when I am fulfilling the role of a servant.
