The Fourth Day of Happiness – The Brightest Star in the Sky!

December 31, 2013December 31, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 34 Comments

On the fourth day of Happiness a young girl and a little older boy (brother and sister) were looking up at the evening sky staring at the glorious blanket of seemingly endless sparking stars spread out across the heavens.

(The following is a true and recent conversation that I heard and witnessed. These children lost their loving dad to an unfortunate and sudden accident several years previously, As a result even the happiest holiday season is poignant with memories of times past for these young ones.)

“Look,” She said pointing to the brightest star in the sky. “It’s daddy, I know it is.” Her brother looked and was quick to agree with her.

“Yes it is Daddy. He is the brightest star in the sky,” her brother said smiling proudly.

The little girl was just as quick to answer her brother. “Of course he’s the brightest star. He’s shining down and smiling at us from heaven because he loves us and is happy we are doing okay.”

The two young ones watched for awhile, content to stare silently up into the starry sky. Their thoughts a combination of longing for their father interwoven with the enriching feeling that they and their dad were still a part of each other and the Universe (both the seen and unseen).

We are all blessed. And whatever our beliefs, all of us derive a happiness when looking up into the majestic night sky to view eternal stars shining in the sky, and yes some stars definitely shine brighter than others!

The children of this story!

We are so lucky when we consider, and remember the stars in our lives! Happy New Year everyone. Take care of you as you begin your new year most definitely with lots of hope and love (and dreams)!

With much love and affection to all of you,

Penny

Alastairs Photo Fiction – Simple is and simple does!

October 13, 2013February 17, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 36 Comments

Each Sunday my good friend Alastair offers up one of his excellent photographs as a prompt for writing a short fictional piece. Be sure to check out this fun activity, click here for more information.

Simple is as Simple does.

“I just want to leave, daddy!” the little girl said. “I’m not having any fun!”

“But honey, you’ve hardly ridden any of the rides.” The dad was concerned to see the unhappy look on his daughter’s face. He had been so sure, when he picked her up at her mother’s house for his “weekend time”, that she’d love to go to the carnival. Didn’t kids like these things any more?

“I don’t care. I just want to leave and go some other place. It’s noisy and all the rides are scary with people screaming. They’re rude and they keep bumping into us on the ground.” His daughter’s small hand held tightly onto his while tugging him in the direction of the exit.

“Well, wait a minute,” Her dad tried again. “Let’s go by the food stands, they have yummy treats to eat there. That’s always fun at carnivals.” He patted his substantial stomach while deciding there was always room for one more corn dog!

“No daddy, my tummy still hurts from the last ride and we can buy treats everywhere. I just want to go.”

The dad looked and felt very frustrated as they slowly maneuvered their way through the noisy throng of indifferent people who, now that he noticed it, all seemed to be running around in hyper mode; looking for the next great thrilling ride, or fat engorged snack or cheap plastic prize to be awarded for winning a “fixed” game.

When they reached the exit the dad turned to his daughter and impatiently asked “So where do you want to go?”

The little girl answered quietly. “Could we go to the park, just the two of us, walk around, feed the squirrels and maybe you could push me on the swing. Doesn’t that sound like fun, Daddy?”

*******

Is there a loss of pleasure in “simple things” today? Are we perhaps so inundated with the never ending media of thriller type videos, movies, TV shows, books and of course real life activities, it has become difficult to go to a simple and happier place!

A young boys words

July 16, 2012July 16, 2012 / Penny L Howe / 31 Comments

This is Jack. He’s Emma’s older brother. At the start of the weekend of his 10^thupcoming birthday he, his dad and mom were busily redoing his bedroom in preparation for his birthday party to be shared by family and friends. He was very excited and really looking forward to it.

Jack and his dad had just finished putting up the new shelves on the walls in his room when his dad got a call from someone. They needed his help to move a larger size aquarium from their home. As always his dad (a generous and kind man) said he’d be right over. Jack, Emma, Jordan and their mom never saw him again.Just a few blocks away he was struck and killed by a meth using driver who failed to yield.

When I wrote “Ethereal Life” and spoke of …in a heartbeat it can be gone… it was true and extremely personal. Just a few days ago Jack had picked the puff ball and was demonstrating to me how quickly it could be blown away, that was when I got the inspiration to write the poem.

I have watched this family struggle for the past two years since the most devastating day of their life.

In Jack’s case it was particularily hard. It happened during what would have been a celebration of his birthday. Jack is a very special boy. He is highly sensitive, he see’s most things in black and white. Borderline Aspergers, intellectually off the charts, but in a few areas, emotionally immature. Prior to his dad’s death he was well on his way to overcoming many of the characteristics common to his type of personality. After his fathers death there was a reversal, but slowly he’s progressing forward again.

On the day of his dad’s eulogy, the family’s church was packed with people. Hundreds. His dad had been well loved and admired in the community for his many acts of kindness and giving. The pastor standing in the front of the gathering had asked all those with a special memory of this man to stand and share. Many did, one after another. Towards the end the pastor asked if there was anyone else who wished to share.

And then amazingly, young Jack who is not an outgoing boy at all, solemnly stood up and turned to the very large group of gathered family & friends and stated … I have some things to share about my dad. And then the most heart breaking, soul wrenching words came forth from him. He held himself upright and spoke quietly and with dignity about the dad he knew and loved.

He spoke of his love and about all the things he would miss and why he loved him so much. In closing he said he was glad his dad was in heaven but he was really going to miss him. Then he quietly said “that’s all” and sat down. The silence in the large filled room that day was broken by the sound of many – crying tears of sadness over Jack’s earnest young words.

As I said Jack is very special. He’s introspective about people & life. If you’ve been following my blog you met his sister Emma recently when she posted a blog of her own. Jack watched and the other day he approached me and asked if he could post a blog too. Of course I said yes. For him to reach out and share is a sign of some very good things happening in his mind.

For those of you who have commented on Emma’s Post, she is most grateful and I thank you. In a little while soon I will post Jack’s first blog. He is as excited about it as I am for him and his wanting to reaching out to others. I will be most appreciative of all who read this today if you can take just a few minutes to come back, read and comment to him when Jack’s Post appears. Again thank you.