Blood Brothers




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" May 6, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ Friends are a true gift from the Lord. A lifelong friend is to be treasured. A simple act of friendship continues to remind him of his special blood brother. ------------------------------------------------------------ Blood Brothers By: Bob Shaw ------------------------------------------------------------ Growing up on a farm was an interesting way to grow up, and being an only child offered many opportunities; some good, some bad. My best friend lived just down the road, and had an older brother. Only problem was, he was almost sixteen years older. So, for all intents and purposes, he was an only child too. We finally found a solution to our problem. We watched a movie where one of our favorite heroes became blood brothers with his Indian friend. As we watched, we learned just what to do. My friend pulled out his scout knife and held it out to me. Bravely, I said, "you first". The next thing I knew, he was bleeding. I thought we should have our own knives, just like in the movie, so I went to the kitchen drawer and got one of Dad's knives out. Dad was a meat cutter, and didn't know the meaning of a dull knife. I was an idiot, and didn't know the meaning of a sharp knife. Well, to sum it all up, it's a lmost fifty years later, and I still have the scar from it. We never did tell our folks the truth. I said I'd reached into the sink and got cut. Better to let them have a guilty conscience than take the butt kickin' I knew was coming. All in all, it was worth it. I had something I'd always wanted. I had a brother. As the years passed, we grew up, went to school, and stayed close. After school, we decided to look into the military. Three of us took the entrance exam. As it turned out, we both passed, but he changed his mind to enlist. Our third friend was more or less informed that the Navy was looking for someone to act as an anchor. I guess it was one way of telling him he didn't pass. Going into the military seemed to put a little distance between us. We were still good friends, but the world was just a little bigger between us now. Coming home on leave, we pretty well picked up where we left off, but there seemed to be something on his mind. When I pressed him on it, he told me that he was being drafted. He'd been wishing we'd gone in together, but things would work out. After a couple weeks at home, I was getting ready to go back. He saw me to the bus station, and reached into his pocket and handed me a five-dollar bill. I tried pushing it back, but he explained that he just wanted me to hang on to it for him. That way, if he ever needed it, I could give it back, and he'd never be broke. Well, it sounded good, so I put it in a hidden pocket in my wallet for safekeeping. We both ended up going to Nam, and both made it home safe. We talked about it some, trying to make sense of some of the memories. Finally, I think we just decided to live with it all. Several years passed, and we got in touch less and less. The job situation finally forced my family and me to head to Texas. Money was being made there, but not much anywhere else it seemed. He never did ask for that five dollars. And many times, it came in handy. I'd borrow it from time to time, and always put it back. I'd always write his name on it, just to remember. One time I remember very well, was being broke, and needing to buy a gallon of milk from the store. I told my wife that I'd borrow a five and put it back payday. She knew where the loan was coming from, and just smiled. It was just a month or so later that we got the news. My brother had been killed in a car wreck. If it had been a head on collision, a blown tire, or something of that nature, I think I could have handled it. But, he simply went to sleep at the wheel, and hit a tree. I was mad at him for such a long time. I thought, such a dumb way to die. I was out doing some yard work on a hot Texas Summer day. The 7-11 was just around the corner, so I walked to it, and got a big ice filled drink. Standing in line to pay for it, I realized I hadn't brought any money with me. Reaching for my wallet, I brought out the five. I smiled and paid for the drink, thinking to myself that he was still there, pulling me out of another jam. The way everything worked out might not be the way he pictured it, but over the years, that simple act of friendship and compassion left me with a sense of independence and pride, of being more than the world could throw at me. Because I had someone that thought I was special. There's still a five dollar bill tucked away in my wallet, and a name written across one corner. It's my way of saying my friend was special too. Bob Shaw Caperabbit @ SEMO.net You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Bob and wife Ronni live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. They'd enjoy hearing from you, and hope youlike the story. Bob has written Fluffy, The Story Talker, Seiko, The Smiling Irish, and Gone Home. You can find these stories in the archives on our website, www.write2theheart.com. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- What a sweet story by Michael. As a Mom of two boys who played baseball all summer and one who went onto to play in high school, travel and college, I can feel everything Michael was writing! How exciting when we have someone who can understand and love the game as we do. His Gramps sounded like a great guy! Baseball season and all those games are one of the greatest times of our lives! Glad you are passing the bat on too, Michael. Blessings, Diane Dean White http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?thelamb212 Such a wonderful story by Michael. I'm so glad that he has such warm memories of his grandparents and is willing to share with us. He has learned well from his grandparents and is now laying the foundation for wonderful memories for his grandchildren. This is part of leaving a Godly heritage for our children and our children's children! Anne --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Chocolate Alert! I know that got your attention! I am working on a chocolate cookbook to be given away on Write 2 the Heart's web site. This work in progress is tentatively called "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." Anyone who would like to join in the delicious fun, send a chocolate recipe with a brief bio to be included after each recipe. Send as many as you wish. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner We have the funniest dog. She does not believe she should lie on the ground. If she wants to rest, she crawls into a chair or on top of a patio table. Sometimes I think with a little coaxing she could climb a tree. My fat cat, who is pictured on the website, has his own kitty door. It used to be in the back door leading to the laundry room. But, I can no longer leave that door open or the dog takes everything that is in there outside. I have cut a piece of wood, placed a pet door in it, and now slide it in an opened window. When I close the window on top, it stays in place. I can remove it when needed. Fat cat now thinks he is king of the house.and yard. God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.