Short Stories by D. S. Mullis   Click on any title below to be linked to that story: “STAMINA” “Life’s Tests - Taught Lessons!” “The Last Winter” “What Lies Ahead” “Remember When?” “Finding Himself Again”   “STAMINA” Stamina -- Staying power, energy, endurance, resistance, resilience, strength, determination, vigor, fortitude, grit! WOW! What a powerful word, stamina…who speaks of it much these days? Not too many in my circle of life-I guess because not too many possess this attribute. Perhaps it would do well to write a short story about a lady with stamina. It seems taken for granted that surely men possess this trait, but women, umm, well that may be another story. Okay, let’s see what we can conjure up tonight!  Fiction, of course! As one person said one time, surely a woman of this magnitude would be a fierce some creature to behold!  But then again, you may know one who possesses this trait… ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ She was a little lady, when I say little, I mean short in stature, not much in weight, but full of stamina! How could you tell? Well, for one thing her name-Millicent!  Yes, her name meant stamina, and as she grew from a child she manifested this trait. Millicent played with every child in the neighborhood and was always competitive in her spirit.  If they were playing UNO or OLD MAID, she wanted to win and would not give into quitting until she had won the most games. If they were running a footrace, she wanted to run the fastest. If they were playing board games, she wanted to be the best. In class at school Millicent was the same way. Her goal was to be the last one standing when everyone else fell by the wayside after running laps around the gym. Even though she did not understand her nature, it was evident that Millicent was a cut above the rest.  Why?  Because she was determined to live up to her name, even though at the time she did not know there was any relevance to her name. As a matter of fact, she had told her mom more than once that she did not like her name-Millicent. What kind of name was that anyway? Mom would always smile and assure Millicent that one day she would appreciate her name.  That was to come true in her older years. Dad called her ‘silly Millie’ and she did not object because she was a daddy’s girl from the get go. He called her ‘monkey, screwball, little bit, punkin’ and she always laughed at his cute little nicknames for her. Millicent never accepted status quo. If her friends tired of playing and wanted to go watch tv or play with their ipods, she was always out to do more than they would do. Some of her friends were jealous, because Millicent never seemed to tire of competition. Her mom even considered taking her to a doctor because she was convinced that Millicent had ADHD.  Dad did not agree.  He could see that what Millicent was doing was actually preparing herself for her future. When she started high school, soccer was her goal. She played the game with such eagerness that every coach in the area wanted her on his team. It didn’t matter that she was usually the ‘runt’ in the bunch; her characteristics displayed her determination to conquer! After high school, Millicent decided to go to a college out of town, to get away from home.  Even though she had a wonderful relationship with her mom and especially her dad, it seemed that she wanted to try her wings in a new arena. Neither mom nor dad were thrilled with her decision but, accepting her as the determined young lady she had become, they consented. Her first year proved to be tough because of peer pressure.  Refusing to be like the crowd, Millicent dug in her heels and stayed with the books. She was in at night with her nose in the books when her friends were out partying and getting high on alcohol and drugs. What a waste!  She would think to herself. There has to be more to life than that kind of stuff, so she kept her discipline and perspective in focus for her benefit. As graduation day approached, Millicent felt proud of her accomplishments for the four hard years she had put in for her future as a nurse. She was the valedictorian of her class as she carried a 4.0 through all four years. Mom and dad were thrilled as they watched their ‘silly Millie’!  As she stood before the large crowd and proclaimed that life was to be ‘an adventure to be lived, an experience to be had, and a purpose to be found’ they found it hard to remain in their seats. Millicent concluded with the statement that as she left the corridors of what would be her great alma mater, ‘pursuing the plan and purpose’ for her life would be uppermost in her goal setting. With that, the crowd applauded and stood to their feet. Millicent went right into nursing and loved the life of service to others. She found that in helping others there was fulfillment to her own life emotionally that she had not realized before while in college.  During her college years her focus was on herself, doing her best, being her best, but now her focus had changed. She began to see that indeed life was an adventure to be lived, an experience to be had, and a purpose to be found. Not long into her newfound profession, she met a young doctor named Adam.  He loved being a doctor as much as she loved being a nurse. So they immediately found a comradeship to work as a team. After working with Adam awhile, Millicent decided that she wanted more than just to be a nurse. He had instilled in her the desire to do all she could to preserve life. So, after not too much deliberation, Millicent found herself back in school to become a doctor, and not just a doctor, but a surgeon. Eight years of diligence found Millicent with knife in hand and doing heart surgery almost weekly. She landed her first internship at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and from there was afforded a position at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, her dream come true! Life was abounding for Millicent, and as time passed, she became one of the most impressive surgeons in the hospital. Her life was spent for the cause of healthcare and she did not bat an eye at working overtime.  Her goal was not a financial gain as much as it was a psychological gain-to be the best. It took stamina, fortitude, endurance, strength and determination to accomplish her goals in life. After all, she was beginning to live the meaning of her name! One night after retiring from a rigorous 46 hours schedule, mom called to tell her that her dad was not well. Millicent’s knees buckled under her at the thought of losing her most precious critic, her dad! Mom assured her that it was just a bout with influenza, but Millicent felt within herself that it was more involved. She caught the first flight out the next day to find her dad breathing his last breaths when she arrived.  Terrified, she cuddled him in her arms and told him he was going to be all right. Denial was her best friend at this time, and as he grew limp in her arms, she fell across his lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably. Her mom joined the scenario as the two of them mourned this sudden loss.  How would life go on without dad, without this one who had been her cheerleader, who believed in her ability to accomplish whatever she put her hand to do?  Now she was finding herself everything but determined, strong, resilient. After the funeral, mom decided to go home with Millicent for awhile to get her house in order. Decisions had to be made, serious decisions now that seemed so trivial in days gone by. It seemed life became a totally different arena for Millicent during this time of grieving.  She found herself preoccupied at work, bringing rebuke from her superiors. When she offered excuses for her slackness, it was not acceptable. She was written up for being insubordinate on one occasion and when approached about taking a leave of absence, she consented. When Millicent went home, she explained her situation to her mom.  Mom readily agreed that they both needed some ‘time away’ to decide their next level in life. They took a trip to England, watched the changing of the guards, enjoyed the interaction with the English and Irish peoples of the areas in which they visited, and found a new outlook on life while there. Millicent went to one of the local hospitals to inquire of their need of a heart surgeon.  Much to her surprise, she was greeted warmly by the head surgeon.  He told her he could put her to work immediately if she were willing to relocate. Millicent went back to the hotel and told her mom of the opportunity.  Mom smiled and told her she had already felt that it would do them both good to stay in London for awhile. Millicent accepted the position and went to work the next week.  Surely the essence of timing was in her favor, and mom found a part-time job as well. They busily worked through their grief to acceptance and found life to be exactly what they both needed in their newfound home. Mom reminded Millicent of the times she had told Millie that one day she would appreciate the meaning of her name.  Yes, truly Millicent had proven to herself that she was made of stamina! Life once again became meaningful as she accepted herself in this light! ©D.S. Mullis   “Life’s Tests - Taught Lessons!” You know, life is funny, and the older I get the funnier it gets! In so many instances, we were taught ‘Study your lessons; get up your lessons, so you will be ready for the tests.’ Sometimes a test came in the form of a pop quiz, sometimes a semi-final test and finally a final test. What you had studied and prepared for usually comprised the exams, so you were prepared, if you studied. Not so with life!  The tests come to teach life’s lessons! Sometimes we expect a test due to an unwise choice we might have made; then again life’s tests just come-because it’s LIFE. Many times we are totally taken aback as to the contents of the test. We are not prepared; we have not given some tests any forethought. Much like a tsunami or a hurricane; these are most times considered an act of God. Well, you know what? Life’s tests are an act of God also. God is not bad, He does not do bad things, but His sovereign will allows all sorts of calamities and woes to come our way as a test…why? Granted, they are allowed for the sole purpose to teach a lesson. Much like it is in school, if you fail because you are not prepared or did not study, you can sometimes retake a test to see if you can improve your grade. With life’s tests we can do the same.  We may fail, but we do not have to be failures; unless we so choose. We can go back to the cross, back to the mercy seat, the grace pool, (not the hot seat, not the cesspool).  The God of heaven is always waiting to help us learn the lesson He knows is applicable from the tests He allows to come our way. See, we are finite…God is infinite.  He is from everlasting to everlasting.  God is omniscient, all knowing.  He knows whether or not a test will make us or break us. God is omnipresent, everywhere present.  He is right there when the test comes, watching our reactions and our success or failure in approaching the test with faith or fear, fortitude or fretting. And last but not least, God is omnipotent, all powerful. He will never allow a test greater than we are able to bear. It may seem at times we can not stand the test any longer. Some don’t, sad to say, they end their life or thumb their nose at God, turn and walk away, never to be reconciled to His love, mercy and grace. But His power will rescue us if we do as David did on so many occasions-have a broken and contrite spirit, have a spirit of humiliation, have a submission to the test time rather than a rebellious, self-will attitude. Just because you find yourself in the midst of testing doesn’t mean you are out of the will of God. Some seek recluse at testing times, hoping to escape the peer pressure of fellow believers and critics alike. As were the friends of Job, they were skeptical and found fault with Job during his crisis stating that apparently he was out of the will of God, sinning big time, bringing all his calamities upon himself, actually as a favorite line states, “Well, so and so deserves what they are going through.  They asked for it!” No, many times the test is not sent to one simply because they deserve it. Job certainly didn’t deserve what he went through (with one exception I must state that applies to us many times-Job 3:25: he said that thing which he greatly feared had come upon him).  Yet God was very cognizant that Job would maintain his integrity and grit, even if it meant denying the words of his friends. He had to rise above the peer pressure, the accusations, the ridicule, every imaginable thing that his so-called friends could muster up to speak to him. Somehow in the midst of his daily prayers for his family and his lifestyle he spoke of fear of loss---Prov.18:21 says, ‘death and life are in the power of the tongue…’so God allowed Him to experience that thing, fear of loss, that he no doubt had spoken of many times. Throughout the book of Job we read the words of a desperate man, but he never failed in his absolute-the sovereignty of God and the faithfulness of God, amid his unfaithfulness. We may sin intentionally, unintentionally, consistently, occasionally, but that doesn’t mean we are erased from the memory of God. NO! The blood that Jesus shed is continually available to cleanse us from all sin, and move us from the testing arena to a refreshing arena.  I will inject a couple of poems that seem befitting to this topic of life’s tests: Once Again Once again the trials come to sway my faith and view, Once again the doubts arise and life seems without clue! Even though the truth prevails and ultimately I know, I'll walk the straight and narrow path, now which way do I go? The night is dark and on this trail seems I am all alone, Yet deep within my heart I know your presence's never gone- But once again it seems the load is more than I can bear, And then within the darkness You say, 'Cast on me your care'. Once again I'm reassured this too shall pass away, If somehow I will not depend on flesh as arm of stay- For in the midst of trials, doubts and loneliness I find, Your faithfulness will bring to me the needed peace of mind! So once again I lay myself prostrate before you now, Seeking your forgiveness, tender mercies shown somehow- For greater is the need of You than is the need of me, I lay it all down at your feet again to be set free! Once again let faith arise and bring about your peace, For when your peace prevails all doubts and sorrows have to cease- You are the great I AM and with You all things can be done, So once again I walk in light, the light of your dear Son! D. S. Mullis Copyright©2010   You Can Make It! Your life is in God’s hands each day, He's shaping it just now- And though He may seem far away, He spins the wheel somehow! For like the clay the Potter holds, Your life is fragile still- Hard knocks in life will crack the mold, In hopes to mar your will! But you can make it, this I'm sure, The Potter will repair Your life in time and make it pure, So cast on Him your care! He'll take away the guilt and pain, And mend your broken heart- That which seemed lost will be your gain, You'll find a brand new start! Yes, you can make it if you give, The Potter all of you- Make Him the reason that you live, And share His love so true! D. S. Mullis Copyright©2010 I am convinced that our perspective is the key to how life’s tests are overcome. If we speak words negatively, the test will seem even harder than it is intended to be.  If we speak words positively, being absolute of our faith that God will triumph in our lives in the end, then the test will seem easier. So evaluate your life, just as I have mine.  Make an assessment of the tests that you have had to endure…did you fail, or as I like to put it of myself so often, fall in the ditch? Or did you persevere and ride out the storm looking for the rainbow? Face it, friend, life is full of tests, for there are lessons to be learned constantly in this walk with God toward eternity. Each time we pass a test, we are able to climb up on another rung of the ladder toward our eternal reward.  Each time we fail, we have to go back to the cross for a second chance. The story was told once, and again I cannot accredit it to anyone other than anonymous, because I don’t know who the author was, about a man who was a ventriloquist. His dummy’s name was Larry (for the sake of a name, I don’t remember the actual name used in the story).  Larry told his friend, the ventriloquist, that he had a dream one night and was climbing a tall ladder that went up toward heaven. He said when he started to climb, St. Peter gave him a piece of chalk.  He asked St. Peter what was the chalk for.  As St. Peter smiled, he told Larry that each time he came upon a sin that he had committed on a rung of the ladder, he wanted him to mark it out with the chalk.  So Larry said he started climbing and marking.  In a few minutes this preacher friend of his passed Larry, climbing the ladder faster. Larry asked the preacher, Bro. Evans (again for the sake of a name, I don’t remember the actual name used in the story) how he was going so fast. He told Larry he didn’t have that many sins thus far to mark out. After a while, Larry tired from climbing and marking so he stopped for a breather.  Then he saw Bro. Evans coming back down the ladder. Larry was bewildered and told Bro. Evans he was going in the wrong direction.  Bro. Evans said in a whisper that he had to go back down; he had run out of chalk!  The analogy here is that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  No matter who we are or from whence we came, we all are in the same boat-we need a Savior who can rescue us from the tests of life…or else we will run out of chalk before we get to the top! So, let’s keep climbing. The tests are an inevitable part of life; the outcome depends upon our willingness to continually strive for another rung of the ladder. The lessons that will be learned will outweigh the struggles that testing will afford. Plus, you will have a greater testimony to the overcoming power that can reside in your heart, if you will allow your perspective to never move you away from the cross. As one person said, ‘You can’t have a testimony without a test and you can’t have a message without a mess!” God help us to realize: Life’s Tests-Taught Lessons! ©D. S. Mullis   “The Last Winter“ Annie sat on her porch swing watching the moon slowly rise over the gentle waves. Her caregiver was busy in the kitchen cleaning up after their scrumptious meal. The full moon always seemed to give the ocean a romantic effect, Annie surmised to herself. Then she thought, “Where did romance go? Better yet, where did life go?” It seemed like only yesterday, Annie reminisced, that she was a child playing in the dirt in her parent’s backyard, innocent of life’s adventures or heartaches. Annie grew up during the Great Depression, so her childhood was meager at best. Yet love flowed and life was bearable. On many occasions she did not understand the whys and wherefores of events in her life but she accepted life as it came and went. Life had not been fair at times, but all in all it had been good-as good as it could be, she concluded. The wonderful thing was that she had no regrets. Annie reflected upon her past nowadays, especially when the moon was full. She enjoyed the opportunity to sit on her porch swing nightly during the week it was full. If for no other reason, she did it to reminisce.  This time of year, though, she had to not only have on her fleece pajamas and robe but a warm blanket to throw over her as well.  The night air made the cold temperatures even colder, but the view made the effort worthwhile. One of the advantages here in her older days was the ocean.  She had begun to feel like an old woman and the sea, in light of her relationship with the moon as it shone nightly to her over the dark rolling waters. In days gone by, she walked the beach when the moon was full and was always enthralled at how its light was always where she was.  The stars were too numerous to count but Annie had picked out one that she always looked for that she had named, but she had forgotten where it was now and its name. She learned many things that had never concerned her before she moved to the beach. Like, how often the tide changed, how different the tide was during full moon, how the sound of the waves crashing on the jetties’ rocks made one feel so serene even though the sound was tempestuous at times.  For sure, the beach had become her mainstay.  She felt herself almost to the point of becoming a recluse, except for the presence of her caregiver. Writing had been an integral part of her life, but was fading now due to the lack of her ability to concentrate.  Forgetfulness was coming more into play and that was why she kept struggling to remember. Annie thought back to the days when life began to unfold for her.  As chance would have it, or so some would infer, it was love at first sight. He was the epitome of a righteous man in the midst of unrighteous times. Annie never concluded that chance or fate had a hand in their meeting, but rather this had been a planned connection from above. He was a military man, staunch, ruddy, and rarely with a smile; except when he was with her.  She herself was a part of the WACS, so military influence was hers as well. The night they met the fire began to burn and never went out.  As she mused to herself of this particular night, she could not recall a time that the thought of him didn’t bring a smile to her face. Her heart began to pound with just the vision of him in her mind’s eye.  And each time she had the opportunity to see their only son, the reality of what they shared surfaced because the son looked just like his dad. Then her mind raced to the dreadful night his commanding officer knocked on her door to tell her that the love of her life had been killed when the USS Wasp had been torpedoed. Annie was devastated, collapsed at her doorway, and from that day was never the same.  She never loved again with the capacity that she did this one righteous man. Life continued for Annie in spite of the loss. She did marry again later in life, but not for love-for money. She met a man who was ‘filthy rich’ as many folks termed it, and he fell madly in love with her.  He was older than she was, and spared no expense in winning her hand to himself. When he died, he left all his riches to her. How else could she afford to live where she did now, she pondered. Annie smiled to herself at this thought, and realized that she could not remember the names of either of the two men who had been integral parts of her past. She could not remember her own son’s name at this point either. In days gone by, it would have troubled her to no end not to be able to grasp their names. Their faces were etched in the pages of her mind, but the names had escaped at some point in time. About that time, her caregiver walked out on the porch and Annie invited her to sit in the swing with her.  Her caregiver was the only one who even had a clue of where Annie truly was at this point in her life. Annie had confided in her from time to time of all the scenarios of her life, and she always smiled and seemed to understand. Many times her caregiver would make comments to encourage Annie to not be afraid of where life was taking her, and it gave Annie solace. In the midst of the whole wide world of millions, even billions of people, it was rewarding to Annie to know that there indeed was this one there for her. At this time, at this place, Annie could rely upon her caregiver to be there for her, no matter what. Annie took her by the hand and began to cry. She told her caregiver that her life seemed like a maze of sorts. Her caregiver put her arms around Annie and rocked her in the swing.  As they sat there together, the caregiver began to quote a poem that was very relevant to Annie.  She had quoted it before to Annie, but naturally Annie did not at first remember it.  Annie smiled and nodded her head as the caregiver spoke the words. She seemed to remember having heard it before, and would even acknowledge it when her caregiver spoke certain phrases. Annie asked her from time to time during the course of the recitation if she were that one.  Her caregiver smiled and said the poem was about anyone who lived in the realm of forgetfulness.  She said it didn’t matter how old or young a person was, it was just something in life that happened to many people. The writer, no doubt, had met someone who prompted the writing of the poem, the caregiver stated to Annie.  That’s the beauty of poetry Annie supposed and laid her head on her caregiver’s shoulder as she asked her caregiver to quote the poem more than once. It went like this: WHO ME? - FORGET? ‘Where are those keys? My glasses, too?’ Yes, as she spoke, she had no clue What could have happened, for you see, Forgetfulness has come to be A way of life for her these days. ‘My life now daily is a maze!’ She uttered slowly as she cried- With diligence she searched inside Herself, and pondered how it was Her life had now become a cause! For those who loved her would no doubt Make haste to turn her inside out, With questions difficult to solve, And answers that would soon evolve Would make no sense, for reason now A thing of past, replaced somehow By folly, yes and unconcern- This one who once did steady yearn To be abreast of all her deeds, Now full of constant, daily needs- While she is not at times aware Of her surroundings, yes, no care, Just living life within a shell. The end? For sure no one can tell. How soon?-How long will this trek last? Alzheimer’s victim! Only past Events from time to time arise- Then, with a glimmer in her eyes, She smiles and nods her head in jest, A vague remembrance of the best That life afforded - now is gone, And in the end, she’ll be alone! The loved ones, though they’re loved for sure, Will fade from view because no cure Can bring her back to life she knew, God only knows the future view Will lie within eternal bliss, What He’s prepared surpasses this That finally will slip away, And in its place, a brand new day- ETERNITY! As Annie listened intently to the poem, she stared out over the ocean’s waves that seemed to call her name. In the far distance of the moon’s glow, she saw a faint shadow that appeared to be walking on the water. She leaned forward, pulling away from her caregiver’s embrace.  Her eyes were fixed upon the shadow that only she could see lurking on the waters. Annie smiled, and waved continuously at the shadow. Her caregiver asked her what was she doing, was there anything wrong. Annie turned to her caregiver and stated very softly that she was about to embark upon her brand new day.  With that statement, Annie’s last winter ended and eternity began! D. S. Mullis Copyright©   “What Lies Ahead…”   As the New Year approached, Maggie found herself deep in thought of the possibilities that might be afforded her in the upcoming days. Surely this would be ‘her’ year, she surmised to herself. Sitting by the bedside of her sleeping aged mother, she began to reminisce.  Yes, it seemed like only yesterday that Mother was busy in the kitchen.  Mother loved this time of year as she cooked endless cakes and goodies for the holidays. Maggie followed her mother around in the kitchen, gleaning everything possible in the cooking arena. Maggie could not remember ever seeing Mother without an apron on-it was just a natural order, once Mother put on her dress, the apron followed, systematically. You know the one that tied around the waist, no bib, and had two pockets on it just in case she needed to put something in them for later use. It was evident that Mother was a genius for sure; she cooked everything from sight, a little bit of this, a pinch of that; she seemed to know just how much of anything to add.  The end results were always DELICIOUS! Mother never failed to tell Maggie that the secret to successful cooking was in the tasting; you must taste the flavors to tell when the ingredients were added correctly, or if you needed to add extra amounts or flavors. Her cakes and cookies were evidence as was everything else Mother cooked-nothing ever needed to be added once the table was filled with her food. Maggie was very attentive, watching how Mother scooped out just the right amount of lard in her hand to add to the flour, then poured milk in her wooden mixing bowl to make the dough ball.   The kneading process was very important, according to Mother, not to be taken lightly. The biscuits that were made from that wooden bowl were countless through the years; but the same wonderful taste always abounded.  Mother made sure she had just the right amount of each ingredient to be able to pinch off a wad, roll it in her hand till she had it uniform, then press it flatly onto her black iron skillet that was already greased for the cooking. After the allotted time, the flat black iron skillet with its iron handle was handled with care as Mother pulled it from the oven, biscuits brimming to be devoured. And of course, Daddy had the butter dish and syrup bottle next to his plate because as soon as the biscuits were placed on the table, he was the first one to them! He would cut the biscuit in the middle, lay it open flat on his plate and spread butter and syrup on it. Laughingly he told of his boyhood days when the simplest and quickest way to eat a biscuit was to stick his finger in the middle and make a hole through the top and fill it up with butter and syrup.  Now since he was older, though, he decided it would be more appropriate to saturate both pieces with butter and syrup. That’s how Maggie learned how to eat syrup and biscuits. She smiled to herself as her memory card filed this episode back into the recesses of her mind. Mother began to move around a bit and peeped out of one eye to see Maggie sitting by her side. Mother smiled and patted Maggie’s hand, thanked her for being there, then slipped back off to sleep. Maggie’s eyes teared up as she looked at this precious Mother of hers now nearing eternity’s door. She leaned over quietly and kissed her on the forehead.  She took Mother’s fragile hand and pressed it against her own cheek as tears rolled down her face, feeling the bond of love that had always been theirs. Memories, precious memories, flooded Maggie’s mind, too numerous to tell, but definitely loaded on individual memory cards filed away in Maggie’s mind.  She kissed Mother’s hand as she held it close for a while. Another memory flashed in Maggie’s mind-when the boy was born. Yes, Maggie’s son was the highlight of Mother and Daddy’s older days.  As custom would have it back in the day, they lived next door and of course being the only grandchild the boy was afforded ANYTHING! Alex learned as just a little tike that he ruled the roost at Grandma’s house. When he was old enough to read, he saw a plaque once in a store and asked Maggie to please let him buy it, for it read: “There’s no place like home, except Grandma’s!” He beamed with pride when he presented it to Grandma, and she cried like a baby as he read it to her! Grandma’s reading ability was limited so it pleased Alex to read something to her as he learned to read.  Of course, many times in his Little Golden story books, he would explain the pictures in story form even if the story didn’t read the way he explained it. Grandma loved those times. He was Granddaddy’s boy from the onset, always pulling something from Granddaddy’s pockets, money most times.  Maggie’s aunt Sissy had given Alex a plastic egg when he was a baby that was a bank, so as soon as Alex would get a nickel, dime or quarter, he would jump out of Granddaddy’s lap and run get the egg and put the coins in it. Needless to say, thanks to Granddaddy’s generous spirit, it didn’t take long to fill up the egg with coins. Then Granddaddy would take Alex to the Bank and exchange the coins for bills.  And then?  Yep, off to the store to buy a new toy. Was the boy spoiled? For sure! As Alex grew older, so did Granddaddy and Grandma. But the love they shared never grew old.  They loved unconditionally, and instilled worthy principles into Alex’s life that he never outgrew. Granddaddy was a hard working man, doing manual labor all of his life. So he found it necessary to instill that work ethic into Alex’s young mind. He showed Alex how to load and unload his truck, he taught him how to drive his golf cart, and made sure Alex was always looking for something to do with his hands. Alex never forgot that, as Granddaddy said, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”, so being busy was a good thing. Now Granddaddy was in heaven, Alex was grown and gone out on his own, but anytime Maggie saw Alex, he was quick to remind her how important his Granddaddy had always been and would always be to him. This memory card slipped back into the dark recesses of Maggie’s mind as Mother began to move around again. Mother looked at Maggie and pulled her close to her. Maggie leaned over to hear Mother whisper in her ear that soon she was going to heaven. Maggie tried to tell Mother that she loved her, but she put her hand over Maggie’s lips and told her to listen.  Listen! Mother said quietly as she stared into Maggie’s eyes, and then glanced toward the ceiling. Mother told Maggie that she saw what lies ahead---a light shining down from above, a beautiful gate and a river like glass, an angelic choir singing a familiar song, and above all that Mother said she heard a trumpet blow. She told Maggie to get ready, that there was a man in a long white robe walking toward her. Mother again told Maggie that she saw what lies ahead-ETERNITY!  And she said it surpassed anything she had ever seen in this life. She told Maggie that she saw Daddy, waving her to come to him.  With that said, Mother closed her eyes and took her last breath. Maggie began to weep uncontrollably, but suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. Whether it was reality, a figment of her imagination or a vision, Maggie saw a man in a long white robe standing beside her. He smiled and told her that life was about to take a turn for her. As surely as the New Year came, what lies ahead would indeed be evident that with it came the reality-it was to be ‘her’ year! D. S. Mullis Copyright©2009   “Remember When?” As they sat in the booth drinking coffee, it was evident that the two of them were taking a walk down memory lane.  Laughter rang out incessantly as they told story after story of days gone by. The topic of conversation? You guessed it-“Remember when?” Yes, through the years their lives had gone down completely different avenues. Sara had become a nurse and the medical field was her arena of labor.  In the process of time, she had married, had a child, then divorced and was now a single parent.  Working with doctors was a very stressful, yet rewarding position, and it was evident that Sara had story after story to share. Joanie, on the other hand, had chosen the maritime arena.  She had worked on a yacht for a rich connoisseur of fine wines, being in charge of the galley and preparation of all meals.  They sailed to many countries and met many renowned winery owners, and tasted various kinds of wines in the process. Joanie had learned that wine in some places was imbibed much like the use of water where she grew up. It was quite interesting, to say the least.  She had learned that in those instances the drinkers were not alcoholics as was the case in America…they were tasters, they sipped the wines at mealtimes, but didn’t indulge for the purpose of drunkenness. As she and Sara sat looking across the table at each other, it was evident that the past had taken priority over their fields of labor. The laughter was contagious, and even though others in the restaurant did not have a clue what was so funny, they could not help but laugh themselves as they watched this twosome enjoying one another’s company with such fervor! They had a lot of catching up to do and each would interrupt the other at times with, “Remember when…”?  Sara actually started it, “Remember when we were kids, we loved to take the well bucket and try to fish the rain frogs out of the well?”  Joanie laughed out loud and responded, “Yeah, and your Dad gave us both a whipping for it and dared us to ever do it again…which we did when he wasn’t looking!” “Sure,” Sara exclaimed, “and then there was the Sunday morning we were supposed to go to church, but told Mama we didn’t feel like it; then slipped out to the barn, got the fishing poles and went down to the pasture and proceeded to fish in the mudhole? Suddenly we saw this water moccasin swimming across the water and we took off running fast as we could back to the house!” Joanie was crying as she laughed so hard, and said, “Yeah, and when you told your Mama, she said, ‘Well, that’s what you get for lying and not going to church!  See, the devil was after you’!” Joanie continued, “And remember when we used to sit on the front porch after mixing Hershey’s cocoa and sugar together and making us some ‘snuff’ like grandma used to dip? We’d fill our front, bottom lip and see who could spit the farthest over the shrubbery? Grandma could spit her snuff farther than anyone either of us had ever seen, right between her pointer and middle finger and never get a drop on either finger!” “Oh yeah, and remember when I rode you on my bicycle basket down the clay hill and we ended up in the ditch?” They both were laughing uncontrollably by this time. The waitress walked up and asked them if they cared for more coffee.  They both nodded yes, and asked her to bring them some French toast as well.  Then Joanie piped up again, “Hey, remember when we were riding your horse, and my brother was running behind us, wanting to ride, and your horse kicked him in the chest? He hit the dirt, and we sailed off the horse, scared to death that my brother was dead?” Both of them grew somber at that point, then Sara replied, “Yeah, but thankfully he was okay…only thing was he carried the print of my horse’s hoof on his chest for quite a while!”    The laughter began again as each took turns asking, “Remember when?” with other scenarios from their past. For sure there were events that made the laughter turn to tears, not from laughing but from sadness, like “Remember when a school mate was killed in an automobile accident, and a little boy drowned in the swimming lake?” The sadness was overruled again by Sara asking, “Remember when we had that algebra final exam, and you sat behind me? You didn’t have your compass to draw your graphs, so I drew mine and passed them back to you unbeknownst to the teacher, then when the testing time was over, you kept them and turned them in?  You made like a 46 and I made a 23?  We begged out of that one,” Sara said laughing and holding her sides. The waitress returned with fresh coffee and French toast, and the twosome quieted down for a time to refresh themselves. Needless to say, it was a wonderful time of reminiscing, a time that each needed at this time in their lives. Sara smiled at Joanie and told her that ‘memories’ were ‘pressed between the pages of her mind’, and the older she got the more precious they became. Joanie smiled and agreed. Yes, life had been good to the both of them, and as they finished up their coffee and toast, they agreed that they needed to set aside a ‘season’ at least once a year to meet and have a “Remember when?” session, for old time’s sake. Having been best friends for a few years during adolescence proved that true friendships may slip away, but they never cease to be. Sara and Joanie gave each other a high five clasp, and arose to leave. About that time the waitress returned and instead of handing them their ticket for their coffee and French toast, she handed each of them a yellow rose. Joanie looked quizzical at the waitress, then at Sara. Sara asked the waitress why she did that.  The waitress replied, “There was someone here who knew the two of you and picked up your tab. She also asked that we give each of you a yellow rose, because she saw and heard the joy and friendship that you shared as you reminisced of days gone by. It was her way of saying ‘thank you’ for proving that old friendships never die; they continue to bloom with age!  And that distance does not have to be a factor in whether love between friends can continue to survive. She also left this poem and asked me to give it to you with the roses:” Friendship Roses are yellow, like this one I send, One yellow rose is for my special friend- It represents feelings that come from the heart, Feelings that hopefully never depart. Happiness comes when you find someone who Shares the same visions and feelings you do- The crossing of paths has a purpose, you see, To bring out the best, in you and in me. Life is a gift that we get from above, Meant to be shared through friendship and love- So give me your hand and give me a smile, Let’s walk down this friendship road all the while! D. S. Mullis © Copyright 2010 After they shared the poem, tears filled their eyes and the reality of the changes that life had afforded both of them made their pact even more convincing. Surely, life is like a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. As they went their separate ways,  Sara and Joanie realized not only the essence of “Remember when?”, but also the necessity of it. Yes, they would do it again and make it a seasonal event to look forward to! D. S. Mullis © Copyright 2011   “Finding Himself Again”   Vincent looked at himself in the mirror, first from the right side, then the left, then face forward. He surmised he was quite the handsome man that he saw, in his own eyes!  Yes, for sure, no matter what might come or go, he was assured he would maintain that ‘manly’ appearance. As a young lad his smile and the sparkle in his eyes had attracted people of all ages and ranks. At that time in his life, though, he was unconscious of the fact that he affected other people by just being who he was-himself. Then he grew up, and was very proud of who he was. His smile and the sparkle in his eyes along with the words he had learned to speak were focal points that he now used to affect his circle of life. Yes, he was an accomplished fellow, no doubt! He could stand out in a crowd at the drop of a hat.  His own fedora a lot of time; that he had fashioned from the way his grandfather always sported his back in the day, would bring positive comments from onlookers.  And he loved that! As he admired himself in the mirror, he was reminded of what his Mama had told him many times over; “Don’t be full of pride, son, because the Bible says, ‘First pride, then the crash-the bigger the ego, the harder the fall’.  Don’t forget the call that God has placed upon your life for Him, and that you are not your own.” Vince nodded with that thought and spoke verbally to himself, “Don’t worry, Mama…pride will never rule me.” As he walked out of the bathroom and away from the mirror, he did not forget the image he had just seen.  And subconsciously he was quite proud of himself. As he drove up and stopped in front of Kiera’s house, he flipped the sun visor down to take one more look at himself in the mirror. Yes! Handsome as could be, with his fedora cocked to the side, he slid out of the seat and walked like a proud peacock to the door and rang the doorbell. Kiera’s dad opened the door and extended his hand toward Vincent.  Vincent reached with a hardy handshake and walked inside. They chatted for a few minutes while waiting for Kiera to make her entrance. When she came down the staircase, she was breathtaking as usual.  Vincent admired her beauty and charm and felt himself a very lucky man to have such a one to walk alongside of him. Her dad reminded her that midnight was too late for her to not be home--‘nothing good happens after midnight,’ he said adamantly.  They both nodded and disappeared out the front door. Vincent opened her car door and Kiera smiled as she slid onto the seat.  He hopped in and away they sped to have dinner at their favorite restaurant. When they walked in, the usual crowd was already there.  Everyone laughed and a couple of the guys whistled at Kiera.  Vincent gave them an eye, then they all laughed and told him what a lucky guy he was.  He shook his head in agreement as they were seated at their booth. Kiera told Vincent she took the responses from the guys with a grain of salt.  She reached across the table and took his hand, kissed it and assured him he was the only one who inhabited her heart.  He smiled and told her he needed that reassurance from time to time, because the guys had a way of making him feel a bit insecure with their actions. They enjoyed their meal as they talked of future plans.  Vincent was sure that Kiera’s folks were going to insist that she go off to college with intentions of it separating them. Kiera told him again as she had so many times before that it did not matter what her parents wanted.  She was free, white and twenty-one, so she would make her own decision in that matter. But she did state emphatically that she must finish her task of securing a degree for her future benefit. Vincent agreed wholeheartedly, but stated he was concerned about their long distance relationship. Kiera smiled and told him that she loved him madly, more than her next breath, and that miles did not matter. He grinned and replied that he loved her fiercely, ardently, passionately, romantically, and always would. She nodded and confirmed that was all that mattered then.  When they finished their meal, they left the crowd whistling and chanting what a beauty queen Vincent had won!  Kiera just shook her head as they walked out the door, waving to them like a real queen would do! They went to the movies, held hands and sneaked a kiss here and there. Even though they were intent upon watching the thriller, they could not help but keep an eye toward each other, and a smile that spoke volumes of their love for one another. On the way home, Vincent asked Kiera if she wanted anything before they went home. She sighed and told him no, she was stuffed from their delicious dinner. She stated that she really needed to get home to get some studying done before calling it a night. As Vincent turned off the main highway, an oncoming car swerved across the center line and ran head on into Vincent’s car. Their car spun around twice and skidded off the road, landing in a ditch full of water. The impact shattered the windshield and the landing crushed the passenger side of the car where Kiera sat, still in her seat belt. Water began to fill the interior of the car where Kiera sat. Vincent’s air bag deployed, catching him before he hit the steering wheel. Keira’s air bag inflated as well, but in the process caught her between the bag and the crushed in passenger door. Thankfully a passing car called 911, so in a matter of minutes the police and EMS arrived on the scene. They pulled Vincent from his seat, but they could not get to Kiera.  From all accounts, it appeared that she had a broken neck, and the water had all but covered her body.  Sadly, she died at the scene. Vincent was semi-conscious, fading in and out. The next thing Vincent knew, he awoke in the hospital. His parents were standing by his bed, Mama crying softly as she held his hand. She whispered a prayer and as Vincent strained to listen he understood her as she asked God to let His mercy and grace invade Vincent’s heart in a way greater than he had ever experienced. Vincent continued to listen to Mama pray as she prayed for Kiera’s parents, asking God to please comfort them as they grieved the loss of their precious daughter. When Vincent heard those words, he began to cry uncontrollably.  He was about to ask Mama about Kiera, but there was no need now. She had prayed his answer before he had opportunity to ask the question. The funeral was anything but simple. It appeared everyone in town attended it, and sent flowers to show their sorrow. It spoke well of how the townspeople felt about this one who had stolen Vincent’s heart. The police report stated that the accident was unavoidable.  A drunken driver who was also killed was the perpetrator and Vincent was relieved that the driver was killed. He deserved to die-he had taken the life of the love of Vincent’s life. Even though Vincent knew there was nothing he could have done to prevent the accident, he continually relived it in his mind and wept with deep agony. What was he going to do with his life now? Where was life going to take him without the love of his life?  He could not even fathom how life would continue. Mama continually assured him that all things happen for a reason, and even though there seemed no reason for such a tragedy as this, Vincent knew in the back of his mind that she was right. Mama was always right, or so it seemed to him. Vincent found himself alone many times, actually as he desired to become a recluse. Someone so vividly shared with him these words that spoke volumes to his broken heart: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves memories that no one can steal”.  He found himself saying that over and over to himself time and again. One night Vincent made his way to church, in search of himself again.  He knew that God would ultimately heal his broken heart and wounded spirit, and he knew that he had to let God do a work of heart. As he listened to the sermon the preacher so eloquently delivered, Vincent found himself turning the search light on in his heart and mind. Actually he was allowing God to turn it on, and he began to find himself again. When the preacher finished the sermon and gave an invitation for anyone who needed God to touch their lives to come forward to the altar, Vincent found himself in the aisle. He realized that he had things in his life that He needed to talk to God about, so he knelt in the altar and began to call out to God for mercy and grace. There with a hand on his shoulder was Mama, praying the same words.  Yes, mercy and grace were vital to Vincent at this time.  He began to realize as he cried out to God that the work God had started in him as a young lad was yet to be completed. When Vincent left the altar that night, he was a changed man.  Indeed as his name implied, to conquer, Vincent had allowed God to conquer his will, his self-will. He had laid himself on the altar and offered himself as a living sacrifice to God, wholly and acceptable, just as the Bible stated he should. Finding himself again became paramount for his life, for he wanted to be the man God wanted him to be, not the self-centered, egotistical, prideful man that he had admired in the mirror so many times. Yes, to find oneself through the eyes of God, he surmised, should be the goal of every believer.  And from that day forward that was his goal; not just for himself, but he purposed in his heart to help anyone else who needed to find himself again! ©D. S. Mullis All Rights Reserved   Poetry by D. S. Mullis Articles by D. S. Mullis Website Home Page