Thursday, December 23, 2010

Through a Child's Eyes

My sister just emailed this to me and I cried.  It is so true and I wanted to share it with you.  Merry Christmas everyone!

A tough reminder:

We were the only family with children in the restaurant.
I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and
talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his
fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter
and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with
merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment.
It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes
poked out of would-be shoes.
His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed.
His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so
varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands
waved and flapped on loose wrists.
'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?'

Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The
old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby.
Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty
cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
My husband and I were embarrassed.
We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his
repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his
cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to
pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot.
The old man sat poised between me and the door.
'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As
I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid
any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching
with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him,
Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love
and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his
tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw
tears hover beneath his lashes.
His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom
and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a
time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his
eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice,
'You take care of this baby.'

Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.

He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in
pain.
I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me
my Christmas gift.'

I said nothing more than a muttered thanks.
With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was
crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God,
forgive me.'

I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny
child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul,
and a mother who saw a suit of clothes.

I was a Christian who was blind,
holding a child who was not.
I felt it was God asking,
'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?'
when He shared His for all eternity.

The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me,
'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.'

If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes, it
takes a child to remind us of what is really important.

Remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel
about others.
The clothes on our back or the car that we drive
or the house that we live in does not define us at all;

it is how you treat your fellow man
that identifies who you are.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Give Away

Hi Everyone,

I have two brand new Tim Holtz collage ATC stamps to give away.  They will go to the same person.  Just leave a comment here and I will draw a random name on Monday.  They are Tattered Sparrow and Time.  Here is a picture for you:

 Happy Creating,
Shirley

We have a winner of the two stamps!! Michelle of Plum Tuckered's Paper Plays. Congratulations Michelle!

CCC #24 - Rock Candy Distress Stickles P. 47

Hi Everyone,

You all ready for Christmas?  NOT me!  Almost though.  Here is tag #24 for the A Compendium of Curiosities challenge hosted by the lovely Linda Ledbetter.  If you haven't joined yet you really should.  So much fun and creativity to be had by all.  On top of that you have a chance to win some prizes.  Just click on the link  to the left.  Well what do you think of this one?  I like it.  I made a collage of paper from Tim's Seasonal pack and several of Tim's stamps.  The Santa is not Tim's but I just had to use it.  Love this one and it went well with the Rock Candy Stickles.

Happy Creating,
Shirley

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 12

Hi Everyone,

I have decided to skip again and than work my way backwards.  Here is the very last tag for 12 Tags of Christmas from Tim.  5 more to go for me to finish up.  I'm so sad this is over.  I looked forward to his daily posts of his wonderful tags. So much generosity for not only his time and creativity, there was Mario who gave us behind the scenes updates every single night on Tweeter, the numerous Sponsors that donated prizes for us to win and Michelle who works with Tim and Mario. I thank them all for everything. What a truly great beginning to December.  Tim inspired us to be creative in the midst of the very busy time of getting ready for the holidays.  Inspired us to take a little time for ourselves.  Thank you everyone!  Please let me know what you think of this page. I tried to make it like an old window with lights and decorations.

Happy Creating,
Shirley

Saturday, December 11, 2010

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 6

Hi Everyone,
Well I got my Day 6 tag finished up....we are on day 12!  Only 6 to go.  Does time fly or what.  Anyway, check it out and let me know what you think.
Happy Creating,
Shirley

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 3

Hi Everyone,

It took me awhile but I finally finished my "tag" 3. We are now on day 7 so I am one behind. Little bird is taking off with his house on a holiday trip, tree and all. Please let me know what you think. 
Happy Creating,
Shirley

Sunday, December 5, 2010

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 4

Hi Everyone,

Here is my page for Day 4...1 more and I will be up to date.  It is not too late for you to join in on the fun. Visit Tim here.  This is so much fun.  I highlighted the Santa by masking it and inking around the mask. I used Rock Candy crackle paint over the Santa. I like how it ages the picture.  Please let me know what you think.
Happy Creating,
Shirley

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 5...Yes I skipped ahead

Hi Everyone,

Here is my Day 5 page.  I decided to skip ahead and then go backwards.  I used flower soft for the hat. Since I am using grunge for the page I used the dabber where the face would be and then stamped on it. This is really getting me excited for Christmas although I think it will be here way to fast.

 Happy Creating,
Shirley

Saturday, December 4, 2010

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 2

Hi Everyone,

Here is my "tag" for day 2.  I'm not sure I like how it turned out. May do it over after I get caught up with the other two.

Happy Creating,
Shirley

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 1

Hi Everyone,

Here is my day 1 "tag" of 12 Tags of Christmas by the Tim Holtz.  Please leave a note and let me know what you think.  Now on to day 2....only 3 days behind now!  The book I am using for my "tags" is from Tim Holtz.


Happy Creating,
Shirley

12 Tags of Christmas

Hi Everyone,

I don't know about you but I  am beginning to feel like Christmas!  Tim Holtz is having his yearly 12 Tags of Christmas.  Tim is already on day 4 but I got a little sidetracked and decided that I would decorate my book first. So, here is the front and back covers of the book that will house my "tags". I will probably do full pages rather than tags for the most part but who knows!  Please let me know what you think.





Happy Creating,
Shirley