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A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
Contributed by
Lovingcritters
on
Tuesday, 24th May 2005 @ 04:46:08 PM in AEST
Topic:
EmotionalPoetry
|
A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
I live near a beach that I frequent quite often,
Especially when the world begins to close in on me and
my spirit's dampen.
That's where I first met this small six year old precious girl.
Her eyes were as blue as the sea when she glanced
around at me, a pretty little pearl.
She said, "Hello," I answered with a nod.
I wasn't in the mood to be bothered, especially
by a child, it seemed odd.
"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,
and the digging."
I slipped off my shoes as 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, and I thought
Goodbye joy,
Hello pain, and turned to walk on, my life was
out of balance, I was depressed, what could I enjoy?
Persisting, she just wouldn't give up, "What's your name?"
"Robert," I answered, I'm Robert Peterson."
"What's your name?"
I'm six, and my name is Wendy"
"Hi Wendy."
She giggled, and said, You're funny."
My gloom was heavy, but I laughed too,
and walked on briskly.
Her musical giggle followed me.
"Come again, Mr. P," she called my way,
Come tomorrow, we'll have another happy day!"
My week was filled with Boy Scouts, PTA, and an ailing
mother.
One morning, the sun was shining, as I took my hands
out of the dishwater.
I need a Sandpiper. I said to myself, as I gathered
up my coat.
I'm going to the beach to watch a sailboat!
At the seashore, the ever-changing balm awaited me.
The breeze was chilly, as I strode along, looking
for the tranquility I needed badly.
"Hello, Mr. P." she said, "Do you want to play?"
I was annoyed, and thinking--not again today....
"What did you have in mind?" I asked
"I don't know," she said, "You say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.
"I don't know what that is." then a tinkling laughter
burst forth cheerily.
"Then let's just walk." I then noticed the delicate fairness
of her tiny face....
"Where do you live?" I inquired, "Over there.
in that place."
She was pointing toward a row of summer cottages
close to the beach.
Strange, I thought, in winter, so out of reach?
"Where do you go to school?"
"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation,
it's cool."
As we strolled up the beach, she chattered little girl talk,
But my mind was on other things, when I left for home,
Wendy said it was a happy walk.
Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I was near panic as I rushed to my
beach full speed.
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 home,
as I felt angry.
As Wendy caught up with me I said, crossly
"Look, if you don't mind, I'd rather be alone today."
She seemed unusually pale and out of breath
"Please stay away."
"Why?" she wanted to know.
"Because my mother died!" I shouted, then I thought.....
My God why am I saying this to a little child,
I'm a terrible fellow!
Quietly, she replied, "Oh, 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, I felt battered!
"When she died?"
"Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding......
wrapped up in myself, I wished I had lied!
When I next went to the beach she wasn't there, and I felt
guilty and ashamed, because I truly did miss her.
I went up to her cottage after my walk and knocked,
a drawn looking young woman would answer.
She had the same blonde hair and sea blue eyes
as Wendy.
"Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your
little girl today, was I too early?
"Oh, Yes, Mr. Peterson, please do come in,
Wendy spoke of you so much.
I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you, please
accept my apologies, it hasn't been easy."
"Not at all--She's a delightful child." I said,
suddenly realizing I meant what I had said.
"Wendy died last week Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia.
Maybe she didn't tell you"
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair, this can't be true!
"You see she loved this beach so much we just couldn't say no
and, she seemed so much better here, we had to let her go......
Then in just the last two weeks, she went down hill rapidly
and so......"
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 was racing for something to say
to this lovely young woman, I was so shook!
She handed me a smeared envelope with MR. P printed
in bold childish letters on the outside.
When I opened it, in bright crayon hues--
a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird was drawn
on the inside......
Underneath the picture 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 to love again, and to enjoy.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over.
I took Wendy's mother in my arms and we wept together to
become braver.
The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study.
"A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY"
Six words--one for each year of her life--that speak to me of
harmony, courage, and undemanding love, with beauty.
A gift from a child with sea blue eyes, and hair the color of sand
who has taught me the gift of love.
Her words will always remind me that the price
of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.
We need to take the time to enjoy living, and life,
and each other and our God above.
Life is so complicated, the hustle, and bustle of
everyday traumas peppered with stress.
Because we are forced to endure all of this,
we lose focus about what is truly important,
or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.
We lose our perspective, our priorities.
Make a point this very moment to give your
loved ones an extra hug, an extra moment of
your time.
Even if its only ten seconds, make those ten seconds
sublime!
This comes from someone's heart, and is shared with many......
now I share it with you.
I'm convinced, there are NO coincidences....
everything that happens to us happens for a reason.
Never brush aside anyone as insignificant and say adieu,
You never know what that person may in you awaken.
May God Bless everyone that reads this, and to you.......
I wish you a sandpiper too!
This beautiful story
was sent to me by
a loving friend.
There appears to be no
author but we have to give thanks
to someone out there, whomever
they may be.
The poem is mine.
Created by
Lovingcritters
consue
May 24, 2005
"Sandpiper Smiles!"
Copyright ©
Lovingcritters
... [
2005-05-24 16:46:08]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by MorningDove on
Tuesday, 24th May 2005 @ 05:11:21 PM AEST
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You made an amazingly beautiful poem out of a devastatingly sad story. I am not generally one to shed tears but this one caused them and yet brought joy and a smle to my heart.
Brilliant work.
Rita |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by NoSaint on
Tuesday, 24th May 2005 @ 05:37:00 PM AEST
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I remember getting this story in an e-mail you brought it to life with your words...lovely my friend
Shari |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by Elizabeth_Dandy on
Tuesday, 24th May 2005 @ 05:48:44 PM AEST
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Incomparable message.
Hautingly beautiful. Hard to comment because one cannot help tears welling up.
You told this story so masterly, with so much exquisiteness and only a golden heart can write like this.
Beautiful! beautifu! beautiful!
And so inspring!
May everybody draw a lesson from this great story.
Thank you ConSue for putting it together so exquisitely penned and what is more, with so much heart.
Warm Love
Elizabeth
Boo-Bee |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by Jenni_K on
Tuesday, 24th May 2005 @ 05:56:20 PM AEST
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I also got it before...and it still brings a tear to my eyes...Thank you for re-working it....beautifuly done...
Hugs
Jenni |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by Man_On_High on
Tuesday, 24th May 2005 @ 07:44:41 PM AEST
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Ive often said..
"this brings a tear to my eye"
when reading something sad..
But critters my friend...
I laughed..
I cried..
(literaly)
as if a part of me died
as wendy did..
and I say, without haste...
that this has been the saddest read for me yet..
EVER!
and I do read a lot..
sadly yours..
M.O.H.
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by venkat on
Wednesday, 25th May 2005 @ 01:17:40 AM AEST
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| Beautiful..beautiful..its a great story..with a good lesson. :hugs n love my dear noble lady. :-) venkat |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by emystar on
Wednesday, 25th May 2005 @ 03:57:54 AM AEST
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So sad but well done.
hugss,
yobrat,
emy |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by kaosar on
Wednesday, 25th May 2005 @ 02:58:54 PM AEST
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this is a very teaching and touching story. and you wrote it in a great way.. thank you for sharing it..
I really wish you a sandpiper for everyday my friend .
Love, Kaosar |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by Sinned on
Wednesday, 25th May 2005 @ 04:05:07 PM AEST
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Lovingcritters
Damn you brought tears to my eyes.
Your right we need to slow down and enjoy every thing in life especially one another.
Sinned
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Thursday, 26th May 2005 @ 08:00:48 AM AEST
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| fantastic write from a fantastic writer...I loved it,,,,,, |
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Re: A SANDPIPER WISH FOR YOU
(User Rating: 1 )
by sweetangeluk on
Friday, 27th May 2005 @ 06:34:18 PM AEST
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Still crying after reading one of Ritas poems and now I cry an ocean deep. Very beautiful with a lovely message to one and all.
((HUGS)))) for a loving kind honest beautiful lady
Love Angelxxxxx |
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