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Posted on 09/30/2012 8:00:50 PM PDT by JustAmy
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I received this in an email from a friend today and thought you all might enjoy it as much as I did! I have to go on errands but will be back this afternoon.
The Sandpiper
by Robert Peterson
She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live.
I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world
begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something
and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
‘Hello,’ she said.
I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
‘I’m building,’ she said.
‘I see that. What is it?’ I asked, not really caring.
‘Oh, I don’t know, I just like the feel of sand.’
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.
A sandpiper glided by.
‘That’s a joy,’ the child said.
‘It’s a what?’
‘It’s a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy.’
The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself,
hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed
completely out of balance.
‘What’s your name?’ She wouldn’t give up.
‘Robert,’ I answered. ‘I’m Robert Peterson.’
‘Mine’s Wendy... I’m six.’
‘Hi, Wendy.’
She giggled. ‘You’re funny,’ she said.
In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on.
Her musical giggle followed me.
‘Come again, Mr. P,’ she called. ‘We’ll have another happy day.’
The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings,
and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out
of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was
chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.
‘Hello, Mr. P,’ she said. ‘Do you want to play?’
‘What did you have in mind?’ I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
‘I don’t know. You say.’
‘How about charades?’ I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. ‘I don’t know what that is.’
‘Then let’s just walk.’
Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.
‘Where do you live?’ I asked.
‘Over there.’ She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter.
‘Where do you go to school?’
‘I don’t go to school. Mommy says we’re on vacation.’
She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was
on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day.
Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no =
mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt
like demanding she keep her child at home.
‘Look, if you don’t mind,’ I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, ‘I’d
rather be alone today.’ She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.
‘Why?’ she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, ‘Because my mother died!’ and thought,
My God, why was I saying this to a little child?
‘Oh,’ she said quietly, ‘then this is a bad day.’
‘Yes,’ I said, ‘and yesterday and the day before and — oh, go away!’
‘Did it hurt?’ she inquired.
‘Did what hurt?’ I was exasperated with her, with myself.
‘When she died?’
‘Of course it hurt!’ I snapped, misunderstanding,
wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn’t there.
Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up
to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking
young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
‘Hello,’ I said, ‘I’m Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today
and wondered where she was.’
‘Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much.
I’m afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance,
please, accept my apologies.’
‘Not at all — she’s a delightful child.’ I said, suddenly realizing
that I meant what I had just said.
‘Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia.
Maybe she didn’t tell you.’
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.
‘She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn’t say no.
She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly...’ Her voice faltered, ‘She left
something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?’
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young
woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with ‘MR. P’ printed in bold
childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues — a yellow beach,
a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love
opened wide. I took Wendy’s mother in my arms. ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,
I’m so sorry,’ I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little
picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words — one for each year
of her life — that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.
A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand
— who taught me the gift of love.
NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20
years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder
to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other.
The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.
Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas
can make us lose focus about what is truly important
or what is only a momentary setback or crisis..
This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means,
take a moment.... even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses.
This comes from someone’s heart, and is read by many
and now I share it with you...
May God Bless everyone who receives this! There are NO coincidences!
Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside
anyone as insignificant. Who knows what they can teach us?
I wish for you, a Sandpiper.
Also having trouble with FR for a while now.
Sometimes just give up and go to lucianne.com for news.
The Daily Bread was wonderful today!
Yorkie, I love to hear about your puppy!
Meg, pics of the twins are always fun. (Hint, hint.)
Of course posting pictures is more difficult than usual lately.
Only a week to go before we vote the bums out. Will be glad when it’s over. I have a good feeling we’ll all be rejoicing next Tuesday night! (again, we won’t be able to do that “here” LOL, but we will rejoice none the less.
: )
Happy GratiTuesday!
I read where you were to get some snow. Hope it isn't a bunch!
That story needs a MEGA HANKY alert! Thanks for passing it around. Have a wonderful day!
I try to get to the Jerusalem Prayer Thread every day. I study the Word that Mary-Lou presents for us, and then search for an appropriate graphic; one that coincides with the Scripture. It is usually up to an hour devotional for me, each day, and I cherish that time.
But, yesterday, it took me over four hours to get to the thread and post my little picture. It was SO frustrating!
As you know, my son married a Jewish girl, and my grandaughters are being raised Jewish. They have relatives in Israel. So, the Jerusalem Prayer Thread is very meaningful to me.........and so is the dedication and knowledge that Mary Lou shares with us every day!
Thanks for the info on the Jerusalem thread. I need to go there. I do believe I have been there several times.
My heart yearns for Peace in Israel and America better watch carefully how we treat her!!!!
Make a request to Mary Lou (leftthatothersite) to be put on the ping list. You won’t be sorry, Polly.
Hi teenie and Happy Gratituesday to you, too. Thanks for your
sweet reply and am glad you enjoyed the little story...so did
I!!!
I heard this morning we were getting some snow. None so far but it has been so cold and misting rain. I had a hair appt.
and needed color so bad or I would have cancelled. The wind
was so blustery that my hairdresser gave me a little plastic
bag and I made a rain bonnet out of it....LOL! I sure did
look cute! ha!
We’ve only had a couple of cold days and it assured me once
again that I hate cold weather (if I have to go out, even
to take a little trash out.) Wish I was out there with
your warm weather and we’d go for lunch and some delicious
food and lots of chatting.
I took a nap when I got back and got all warm and toasty
and felt better when I got up. I had delicious potato
soup and cornbread yesterday and the rest is in a quart
jar in the fridge for tomorrow. My neighbor called this
morning and said she was cooking beans and cornbread for
dinner and would be sending me my dinner. And knowing her,
she will have slaw and another side. They are so good to
me....I’m thankful! Didn’t mean to write a long letter
BUT you know me....blabber-mouth!
Hi Polly! Its so good to see you! I saw where you posted yesterday also! I go for days without posting but some days I just am not up to posting but I love to read what others have to say. Hope all is well with you and your family! ((((HUGS))))
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this story. I couldn't help but tear up, when I realize how many times we brush aside some joy when we are hurting.
I'm going to print it out as a reminder to watch for those precious moments.
Polly......
Doors and windows open and feels perfect!
Must be quite comforting to have such good neighbors. We should all be so lucky!
God is the source of my strength.
There are times when I feel like Chatty Cathy, and then other days, like you, I just read quietly as I stay wrapped up in my own little corner.
I just seem to be on a fast paced train all the time now. Wasn't life supposed to slow down after 70? LOL HUGS to you.........
(((((HUGS)))))
You are welcome, Polly. I just knew everyone would enjoy it as much as I did. Its great seeing you around here once again. Like you always say, “Its nice to walk down Amy’s Lane now and then!!” ((((HUGS))))
Hope your family is doing okay also! Have a wonderful evening!
You are welcome, Polly. I just knew everyone would enjoy it as much as I did. Its great seeing you around here once again. Like you always say, “Its nice to walk down Amy’s Lane now and then!!” ((((HUGS))))
Hope your family is doing okay also! Have a wonderful evening!
Well, I guess I can dream about California....can’t hurt anything. Its unusual that we are having such cold weather in October. We may be getting some remnants from that awful storm. I shouldn’t complain because those people there are the ones who have a lot on their plates. What a mess that storm turned out to be!! Its very sad what I witnessed on t.v. today! There’s one thing man can’t do and thats control the weather.
I’m glad I don’t get any trick or treaters anymore. I used to have many when my kids were growing up but I think some go to the Mall for parties and they Trick or Treat out there. I keep my porch lights out and they never knock.
Have a nice quiet evening, teenie! ((((HUGS))))
Since my health has gone down this last year, the neighbors have been wonderful to me. David took me to pick out my little out building a few weeks back. They both have been so kind. I am very thankful for them.
By the way, they were supposed to deliver the building today, the 30th, and called to say it will now be Thursday. Of course, they’ve had my $2,000 since I purchased the building. I could have made interest on that money just as they have. The game is not played that way. You have to pay for it I guess, so they can order it. I had to have 2 trees cut down, plus pay a man to finish taking the building down and carrying it off. That was my deductible I guess. Its been pretty busy around here for quite a while and thats why I haven’t had a lot of time to be on Amy’s. Its always something, isn’t it?
This year they will all go out to the Town Square (hopefully) and fill their bags. I didn't buy one piece of candy.
If you have something to hide, Mike Slattery may have the solution. Several years ago, a cell-phone company wanted to erect an antenna on his property and disguise it as a pine tree. Mike had a better idea and built a fake barn with vinyl panels that allow the radio waves to pass through them. He developed that concept into a company that builds structures to hide antennas for aesthetic and security reasons. Slattery is convinced that many of his neighbors still have no idea what’s inside his barn (The Gazette, Colorado Springs).
Most of us are trying to keep something out of sight. It may be as harmless as clutter in a basement or as toxic as the moral and spiritual failings we try to hide from others, ourselves, and even from God.
In Psalm 32, David described the futility of trying to conceal his sin (vv.3-4) and the relief of opening his soul to the Lord: “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (v.5).
Confessing our sins to God and forsaking them brings a sense of freedom to our souls and the awareness that we have nothing to hide.
Read: Psalm 32
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~Happy WF Halloween~
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