"Friendship Class" by Susan Pearl

Several years ago I had an idea for a short story about bullying.

I told the idea to our oldest grandson who was in grade school then.

After I told him the story I asked how he liked it. 

He answered, "I just wish they would have found a way to all become friends".

I thought that was a beautiful answer and I am writing the story now with a friendship ending in mind.

Rudolf was the name of a new student at school. Before school started the bullies took a red washable marker and colored his nose red for the holiday song about a reindeer with a red nose.

The school bell rang and everyone went to their classroom.

People were surprised Rudolf had a red nose but everyone knew who likely did it. The bullies were laughing the hardest.

The teacher explained that she wanted to have Rudolf introduce himself and tell something about himself but if he wanted time to attend to his nose she would allow for that.

Rudolf said, "That won't be necessary.  My name is Rudolf and I was named after my Great Uncle Rudolf Faircamp. He was a Fireman. He lost his life in a fire right after he rescued eight children. He handed the children out the upstairs window and after the last child the floor collapsed and he fell through the floor and died. He was a hero.

A student in the back of the class began waving his arm. He had something to say. Rudolf nodded for him to talk.

The student excitedly said, "That eighth child was my Grandfather. I have heard this story many times. I am so proud to meet you. I hope we can be friends".

The teacher asked the class, "Who would like to be friends"? Every student raised their hand even the bullies.

It was a wonderful schoolyear and was remembered for being the best class that ever graduated from the school. It was like they all were friends.

Thank you to our Grandson for his wonderful idea.

"Heart of Gold" by Susan Pearl

 Well, look at you with your heart of gold.

Ever ready to help for the good of all

Ever desiring what is best and filled with hope for everyone.

They say that gold is a precious metal that gives a bright reflection of us to see.

And shows back to us the possibility of what we all can be.

They say "The Golden Years" are a special time of reflection.

A time of seeing what has been done by those who have gone before,

A time of knowing what we need to do, to achieve what we believe to be true,

And build a lasting treasure of things being better for generations to come,

So in their "Golden Years" they can reflect on what we have done,

With our hearts of gold to bring in a new time and answer a call-

That will reflect love and will forever shine for the good of all.

"My Cat Rim Glasses" by Susan Pearl

 The head cheerleader wore cat rim glasses.

I was counting the days for my eye appointment.

If I needed new glasses I definitely was going to order cat rim glasses.

 I think it was 1963.

Wow, everything went like a charm.

I told the cheerleader I had ordered cat rim glasses just like she had.

She answered, "These old things? I can't wait to get my new ones. They are the new block style frames

and very highly fashionable"

I think my mouth dropped open.

So if ever people want to find me in the 1963-1964 High School year book- I'm one of the very, very few wearing cat rim glasses.

"Meow".

"Timing Sure Does Make a Difference" by Susan Pearl

Timing sure does make a difference.

When in High School I met a transfer classmate who had an unique haircut.

I liked her haircut so much I had my hair cut the same way.

I asked her, "How do you like my hair"? 

She answered, "I'm so tired of this style.  I'm growing my hair out and can't wait for a changed new look.  This hairdo really is out of date".

Her words did not lift my day.

Sixty years later:

Earlier this week, I followed an on line instruction video on cutting my hair.

I thought it turned out nice. 

So I was reviewing the video to make sure I did my hair cut right. Instead, I found that the video had been removed and would be shortly replaced with a more updated hair cut instruction.

I thought, "Oh, no. Not again."

Timing sure does make a difference.

"Very Good Friend" by Susan Pearl

I have a very good friend. We have been friends for over seventy years. We met in first grade. 

One unique part of our friendship is that when we went our separate ways we have only written letters to each other. No texts, no emails have not ever been a part of our communication.  Maybe a brief, twice a year, phone call but that is getting too late because I am becoming hard of hearing.

We both agree there is something so special about finding a handwritten letter in the mailbox from each other.

I think we may have ESP because I have received a letter from my dear friend the same day my dear friend has received a letter from me. Now, to answer the big question, "Who owes who a letter"?

In over the seventy years that we have been friends, I can truthfully say, my good friend has not ever once hurt me.  My dear friend has not ever said or done anything to cause me to shed one tear. 

In fact I have had over seventy years of inspiration-

Over seventy years of encouragement,

Over seventy years of non-judgemental and unconditional love,

Over seventy years of having a curious awareness of the greatness and grandness of life.

WHAT A SPECIAL GIFT I HAVE KNOWN -

THANK YOU, MY VERY GOOD FRIEND!

"Task Becomes fun Routine" by Susan Pearl

In my mind I can still see your cute face as we made eye contact while making the bed.

The freshly washed and line-dried linens had a fragrance of the outdoors.

It was a simple task to make the bed but we had made it into a fun routine.

While putting on the top sheet we would raise the sheet up as high as we could, up an down,

Higher, higher- "YES"- we could get a quick peek of each other on opposite sides of the bed.

I would pretend to be startled and yelp. You would laugh.

But it was over too soon, so we would do it a couple times over again and then again. 

Higher, higher- the sheet would be fluffed, "YES"- we would get another quick peak,

Complete with a startled "Yelp" followed by more laugher.

I think you were three to four years old but now you are over six feet tall.

In my mind I can see your cute face as we made eye contact while making the bed. 

It was fun but didn't cost a penny yet it gave million dollar memories.

"Could be a Solving Thought" by Susan Pearl

Throughout my life I have had some frustration about the behavior or words of others.

Many, many times I have tried to overcome my frustrations but wait-

One day this year I started talking about my latest frustration when the person I was talking to stopped me by interrupting. 

In very few words this person turned my thinking around.

Could it be? Could it be me? Are you kidding? What?  Is that possible? ME???

The words were:  "You're making way too much out of it". 

I had the answer inside of myself and needed to be shown--

"You're making too much of it."

What was the frustration about, well, even trying to remember is "making way too much out of it". 

And that's the end to a whole lot of frustration by applying a new thought that may be a solving thought.