It was a barefoot, shirtless, shorts
kind of day
Creek-water mud squishing between our
toes
The rope swing dangling from the tall
oak tree
Inviting us to swing around-the-world
if we pleased
What an almost perfect summer’s day
After hours
of playing make-believe
Cowboys and Indians and Pirates were
we
It was time to head home to dinner
And T.V. This we all could agree
What an almost perfect summer’s day
It was then that I saw him emerge
from the trees
He stood by the creek bank and
beckoned to me
“Would you mind staying behind? Take photos
with me?”
All this he asked with a smile. “It
won’t take long. You’ll see”.
What an almost perfect summer’s day
My world was baseball and marbles and
climbing trees
And running and jumping and catching
bees
These things I knew and I knew them
well
But nothing I knew of photograph
What an almost perfect summer’s day
There are times I wish I were sick
that day
Or being punished and not allowed out to play
But we can not go back nor change
what’s been done
We can only forgive and forget and
with God’s grace move on
What an almost perfect summer’s day
Tears come to my eyes, as I read between the lines, what changed your perfect summer's day to almost perfect. I liked your examples of joy-filled, child's play on a summer day. I hope all who identify, in some way, with this story, will seek and find healing from these painful, dark places, through unfurling them into the light - of God’s amazing love and grace and the love of others we trust, so we can all once again enjoy "summer days."
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. I have kept this secret for over 50 years, only telling my wife about 5-6 years ago. I am learning that God's love and grace is the only thing that can shine light in the dark places if only we trust and allow Him.
ReplyDeleteYou're an inspiration. I'm so thankful that you and God are walking this together <3
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI am glad you are allowing God’s light and love and grace to enter into your dark and scary places. Thank you for sharing this deeply personal and soul-shattering experience. I hope and pray that God will continue to do His healing work in your life, as well as, in the lives of all of us who have deep, painful secrets that we have hidden for decades, even possibly from ourselves, in order to survive.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, last week, at our practice writing group meeting, the word drawn randomly to write about was “haunting.” A few of us wrote about difficult memories or experiences. For me, it was the first time I have shared some uncomfortable memories with the group and another member thanked me for sharing and said, “The more we share our difficult experiences with others, the less and less it stings to remember them.” I hope that’s true for all who experience painful memories that could haunt us for life.
You may find this short piece I wrote, several years ago, interesting: http://twowhitebutterflies.blogspot.com/2013/02/scary-and-sacred-places.html.