Some of Life's Kettle Corn

Amy’s Love Amy reached for “Barbie,” she put on the other shoe Her brother he felt sorry, he sat in clothes of blue Jimmy’s eyes began to swell as they were looking down Upon his face a tear fell, he couldn’t go to town It was Amy’s turn to ride with Dad, who had a business trip Her little brother felt so sad, Amy bit her lip She talked to Dad and he did hear, she got a special hug She whispered words in Jimmy’s ear, avoided being smug He packed a bag, his shirttail snug, his tears he wiped away He understood that Amy’s love, was why she chose to stay Garbage Man The garbage truck came by today Making all its noise Taking out the junk of life Trash and broken toys I really like the garbage truck The huge machine of steel With two strong arms to lift the stuff One Worker at the wheel There comes a time to throw it out The garbage in our can Stuff that doesn’t need to stay Removed by Garbage Man It makes you feel much better As the big truck rolls away Taking trash in any weather Stuff that shouldn’t stay Some Stranger My mother told me once, “Never talk to strangers!” as if they were lying in wait to hurt or destroy. I can honestly say mother was wrong about that. She was just trying to protect me. A few years ago, I delivered a commencement speech for Duke University. For many years of my professional life, I have advocated “proper living.” I’ve written several books encouraging the avoidance of inappropriateness or its very appearance. Some have referred to me as the “Emily Post” of high standard living. My books have been a “must” in circles of high society. Cameras shuttered as the local and national news storied my presence. After the commencement, a standing ovation ensued! While returning to the airport in Raleigh, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of how the speech went and who I may have influenced. I guess I wasn’t paying attention at a city construction site. My Mercedes bounced down an incline sending me flying about my car. I landed slamming into a steel light pole. The street was crowded. I heard someone shout, “Hey! Is that Beverly White?!” I was dazed. I tried to remove disheveled hair from my sticky face. Steam and smoke were bellowing from the crushed hood. A few seconds passed. I looked down. My legs were spread and snug around the gear shift offering up the most phallic of sights. My skirt was inverted exposing underwear pulling on bulging privates. One of my breasts was hanging below my disrupted bra and my shirt was around my neck. I looked at the glass shards all around me. A gift of wine smashed sending its aroma all inside my car. Through the distorted windshield I could vaguely see an ambulance and a news crew (cameras unloading), rapidly approaching. The passenger side door opened. A female stranger gathered my unharmed legs together. She quickly assessed I was not seriously hurt. She tucked my breast into my bra and rearranged my clothes restoring me to a state of dignity. I noticed her rough hands and simple clothes. She disappeared after speaking words of calming assurance that I would be OK. In those seconds my writing life changed. I stopped encouraging judgment based on appearances. I stopped assuming what “correct living” was. I began to encourage tolerance and love for others. My books still fly off the shelves, to all human beings. Some heavenly stranger taught me to use my place as a writer “properly.” Faith Faith is one of the most commonly used words in theology. It promises nothing. It is disturbing that many people are factual with more confidence in probability. Faith is the sideline cheerleader for uncertainty during times we are concerned and focused on the outcome of diverse circumstances. Faith is defined as, “believing in things unseen.” It is a soft and mysteriously silent word we are attracted to. At times, it is overused or misused; it implies things will go our way if we have it. Faith will change your life by experiencing it but I must explain it is a spiritual word. There is a recipe for faith: Understand it is a belief in things unseen. It is synonymous with trusting confidence. Faith is a form of letting go and letting God. You should add a dash of hope to it. Faith has changed my life because I believe in what the heavens tell me. Faith never lets me down. I may have to be patient, but the correct outcome or circumstance presents itself time and time again because I trust in God’s ways. I’m peacefully affected by faith because I know that things will be as they are supposed to be. Faith truly replaces stress and worry. Every experience in life teaches. Have faith that your lessons are from God and make the effort to understand them.