"Surprise Company" by Susan Pearl

I grew up before dishwashers were a common kitchen appliance.

So with six of us at each meal there was plenty of dishes to do several times a day.

I remember one day we were busy and hadn't washed the breakfast or lunch dishes-

Then the phone rang.

Some relatives called to say they were passing through town and they wanted to stop by for a visit.

Mother told them that would be fine to come. They then said they were only three blocks away. 

Mother asked them to please come to the front door. 

She had a plan because the other door came directly into the kitchen.

She hung up the phone and the scramble was on to take all the dirty dishes to the garage.

Our garage was attached to the house and she wanted the dirty dishes put inside the car. 

As she slammed the car door shut- they were knocking on the front door.

She met them and welcomed them in with gracious pleasantries being exchanged.

They motioned to go to the kitchen for one of her delicious cups of coffee while visiting.

She accommodated and served coffee to them in our very best china cups with matching saucers.

While leaving they commented what a wonderful visit and she made it special using her fine china.

Saying that they saved and used their fine china in their own home for only very special occasions.

Our china dishes we used were about the only clean dishes we had left in the kitchen cupboard.

Everything turned out wonderful.

But we did have to wait for the next regular very special occasion to use our fine china again- 

And we would laugh about the day of the surprise company visiting us.

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"The Bouquet of Wheat" by Susan Pearl

 It was a hundred degrees in the shade-

But a memory was being made.

He knocked on her door holding a bouquet of wheat-

That he had harvested in the hot Kansas heat.

She said that she had something for him-

And gave him a handwritten poem.

He read the words he would never forget-

And folded it neatly in his wallet.

She placed the wheat as a centerpiece-

On the table where the family eats.

And he thought of her and she thought of him-

Each hoping a lifetime of love would begin-

From giving their work of the hand- a bouquet of wheat-

 And a hand written poem.

You can't buy in a store-

What love is really looking for.

It comes from the gift of a sincere heart-

That is always willing to do its part.

With a believing love, that keeps true to living their dream.

Not giving up no matter how hard it seems-

Sincerely working towards the best, the way love should. 

Hoping happiness fills their time together with great good.

Appreciating each other's "work of the hand" as it comes from the heart.

Knowing, together they are capable and stronger to meet any foe than being apart.

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Their dream came true on their wedding day.

Down the aisle she carried the wheat bouquet.

He pinned the folded poem she wrote for him- 

Onto his suit coat right above his heart so fast beating.

They held hands while saying their beautiful vows to one another-

Lovingly placing the rings and promising their lives to each other.

Through the years ahead they lived the wonderful life they hoped would be-

And made many fond memories of their true love and happiness for others to see.

He carries the handwritten poem in his wallet to this day.

And she never threw the bouquet of wheat away-

It's on a nightstand by their bed-

Beside a picture of the day they were wed.

They have kept their love alive-

Being happy and satisfied by each other's side.

You can't buy in a store-

What love is really looking for.

It comes from the gift of a sincere heart-

That is always willing to do its part.

A believing love, that keeps true to living their dream-

Not giving up no matter how hard it seems.

Sincerely working towards the best, the way love should.

Hoping happiness fills their time together with great good.

Appreciating each other's "work of the hand" as it comes from the heart.

Knowing together they are capable and stronger to meet any foe than being apart.  

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"Back and Forth" by Susan Pearl

Oh, the motion of a mop going back and forth, the cleanser pad scrubbing back and forth- for cleaning.

To the sounding back and forth motion of a pendulum- it is rhythmic- motion back and forth- 

back and forth.

Then the watching of a ball in motion at a tennis match- exciting- back and forth- heads turn and turn.

Far from the relaxation of a slow rocking chair motion going back and forth for a sleepy baby drifting  off into slumberland..

So different than the exhilaration felt while swinging in a swing- back and forth- gravity free motion.

Back and forth went the heated argument, neither one giving in, blowing hot air, a wasted time in motion.

The vacuum goes back and forth with a recognizable sound of motion- back and forth, back and forth.

Hands on a piano keyboard go back and forth to create the music in motion that is played in life settings.

An oar boat sets in motion movement by its back and forth action to bring the destination into view.

Back and forth goes the paint brush giving a fresh coat of paint with motion for a finished update.

A handsaw is a valuable tool that cuts wood with a forth (the cut) and back motion for proper use. 

I wrote this blog to illustrate that the same words of motion can bring to mind many different scenes.

Hope it brings enjoyment and appreciation to the art of language- showing comparison by illustrating similarity.

  

"Special Conversation" by Susan Pearl

My husband had a serious look on his face.

I knew he had something on his mind and so I asked, "What are you thinking"?

He answered, "There is something I can't understand". 

He then continued-"I can't understand-

How a person can sit down to a table and enjoy a meal when they don't know for sure-

If their child has enough food to eat. I can't understand it".

I said, "I can understand why you don't understand it. You don't have it in you to understand".

Then I squeezed his hand and continued, "Because you don't have in you to do that. That's why."

It was a special conversation between us and reaffirmed why I love this responsible man so much.

 

"Three Kinds of Bridges" by Susan Pearl

In my life I have known three kinds of bridges-

Some of which I gladly run across-

Like learning how to drive a car, staying out late, traveling far-

And these are my bridges of adventure.

And there are bridges I have to be led across-

By certain people whom explained things or showed me by hand to assist my knowing-

Like a teacher, or a coach, or a carpenter or mechanic or family and kind adults with a skill-

And these are my bridges of learning and growing.

Then there are bridges I have to be pushed across-

For on the other side of these bridges in life there awaits a tremendous loss-

It has to be faced, it has to be grieved- and life seemed so strange-

These have been the bridges making my life not ever the same.

So many bridges of losses and gains in this life of constant change.

But as long as we can adapt, adjust and accept-

A peace will come that is greater than any height or depth.

Faith, hope and love surround us no matter how many bridges come-

Preparing us to be stronger to cross the next one. 

For each bridge will bring change of loss or gain. 

"Flip Flop Mores Code" by Susan Pearl

 I could tell by the sound of her flip flops she was running towards the house as fast as she could.

I met her at the back door. She breathlessly said, "Help---she is caught up in the apple tree"!!! 

I ran to the backyard not knowing what to expect.

I yelled up into the tree as I tried to looked through all the white blossoms

She called back saying, "I'm fine. I got my footing again and I'm coming down."

Here she came and it was so good too see and hold her again.

She was shook up because when she lost her footing she fell between two tight fitting limbs.

She felt wedged in and she couldn't reach anything with her arms. It had frightened her.

I looked at our other daughter and went to hold her, saying,

"You did good, running for help the way you did. My, you ran so fast to come get me.

I knew there was trouble because I had never heard your flip flops a flippin' and floppin' so fast.

It was like they were sending a mores code message for help: flip-flip-flip:flop-flop-flop:flip-flip-flip.

Thank you for all you did to help your sister". She smiled. I could tell she felt proud of herself.

 Then I said, "No climbing the tree. We all don't want this to ever happen again. Right"?

We all agreed. Then spent the rest of day playing at the park on playground equipment.

It was a sudden experience of being family. We all did our best to be there for each other.

And we all learned several very important lessons like being warned by the fast action for help.

"Knowing Why I Do Certain Favorite Things"---------------- by Susan Pearl

I like certain things to do that fill in a day with enjoyment.

Mostly they are playing games, having creative hobbies and crocheting.

I think the reason I like them so much is because I know I am good at them.

It seems like I have a natural ability and talent to be good at them.

Building on that, I have discovered I don't ever get tired of doing them.

It has to be something that from the very beginning I am good at.

Then, from there, I try to get better and better and keep improving. 

So, it becomes a challenge that is not only enjoyable, it is equally exciting.

And above all it is a fun activity that gives a feeling of satisfaction and happiness.

I look forward to each day for the favorite things that I truly love doing.

And writing my "Pearls Take Time" blog is one of them, in fact, very much so.