Chocolate Pot




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" October 30, 2002 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" ------------------------------------------------------------ All new subscribers for the month of October will be entered into a drawing for a 2003/2004 pocket calendar. Tell all your friends. The winner will be announced in the November 6 issue. There will be a new author appreciation gift for November, December, and January. I will be sending a 2003/2004 pocket calendar to the authors who contribute stories for those months. ------------------------------------------------------------- Today we celebrate family ties. Pat reminds us to share our memories of loved ones who came before, to even put them in writing. Paul shares his love and pride in his granddaughter. ------------------------------------------------------------- The Chocolate Pot By Pat Lowe ------------------------------------------------------------- I was thinking, back to a funny experience many years ago when my mom decided the two of us needed some hot chocolate. This was when I was visiting my folks in Seattle with two of my wee ones. The kids were down for naps, and Mom decided we needed a special time for just the two of us. She opened her China cabinet, and brought out what she called her Chocolate Pot and two of the cups and saucers that matched. She brewed some cocoa on the stove the old fashioned way, and poured it into her treasured Chocolate Pot, which is rather tall and slender. She served the hot chocolate with some of her yummy homemade cookies. Since the cups are demitasse-size, we each had a few refills, until we drank all of the delicious hot liquid. Mom then took the pot to the sink to wash it, and to her surprise there were five $1 bills in the bottom of the Chocolate Pot. She had tucked them away and forgotten them. What to do? First we laughed ourselves silly, and then Mom washed the China pot, cups, and saucers. She also washed the dollar bills. She hung the bills on the clothesline down in the basement to dry. After that experience, Mom hid her money in one of her empty sugar bowls. Mom passed away in 1983. That Chocolate Pot, with six matching cups & saucers, had belonged to her grandmother. Now I have the set safely stored away in my cupboard. I think I had better print out the story of that funny chocolate party we shared some 45 years ago. My youngest daughter will inherit the chocolate set someday, and I want my only granddaughter to have it eventually. I intend to put the story inside the pot for safekeeping. Pat Lowe ©2002 pawlowe @ televar.com (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) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Pat Lowe is a wonderful encourager. She lives in Washington State with her husband of 52 years and her tuxedo cat, BJ. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Little Things That Brighten My Day By Paul Leadem --------------------------------------------------------------- My second son Chris is a single parent now and has primary custody of his three children. Since he goes to work early in the morning, Grandpa (moi) and Grandmom make sure the kids are OK, get to school on time, etc. The youngest, Natasha, comes to our place before and after school for awhile. We make sure she has breakfast, check her homework, clothes (in short, we act like parents). She is in fifth grade. We often help her with her homework and school projects. This morning Natasha was "running late," but had to have papers signed by a parent--usually homework assignments, permission slips, etc. She handed me three papers, one of which was her Student Progress Report. She didn't say a word about it. The report listed subjects and letter grades, plus teacher comment: A+, A+, A+, A, A and the comment "Awesome Student! I like to think, "a splinter off of the old block" (proud grandpa), but then I must remember that Grandma was a teacher. The fact is, however, that Natasha is just a bright kid, and her parents had something to do with that. Grandpas like to boast anyway Paul Leadem PLeadem @ msn.com (Remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol! -------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Leadem has written "Foxy and the Horses," "A Love Story," and "Brother Frank." You can find them in the archives on our web site. You can also read more about Paul in the Writer's Profile. He has written a novel "Christopher's Light" and is the manager of the MSN group, Senior Writers. You can visit his group at www.leadem.com -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Meg, Your story, "Milly's Will", is so sweet. My husband's aunt knitted scads of potholders for me. She passed away, but I still have those reminders of that dear lady. My mother-in-law crocheted a number of afghans for me, so I think of her whenever I use one of them. She also passed away. A very lovely person. As for my own Mom, I have many of her treasured items. Her Grandmother clock is one of my favorites. She was so proud of that clock. I think of her whenever it chimes. By the way, I think you are a generous lady to spend your time delivering library books to homebound people, and adding brightness to their days. God Bless You Hugs, Pat ***** Thought this story was great. I sent it on to a friend who works for/with Hospice. I think she will be able to relate to it at some point in time if not already. May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness, and tied with love. E --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner For years I did not participate in Halloween. Living in the country, this was no problem. When we moved into town three years ago, it was just before October 31. My first thought was that I would keep the porch light off, close all the curtains and stay in the den. I was pleased with my plan. On October 30, I felt God tugging at my heart and mind. Goodness, what could possibly be wrong? I knew I was doing right! So, why did I feel I was doing something wrong? Finally, I got still before Him and allowed Him to speak to my heart. "Don't you pray to be able to share Me with others?" "Yeess...," I thought in confusion, what does this have to do with Halloween? "People will be coming to your door willing to receive ANYTHING you give them without complaints." Hmmmm, why didn't I ever think of that? I had to scramble to find some Bible based coloring sheets for the little one's and tracts for the teens. The children loved it! One little boy asked his mom if they could go home right then so he could color. God Bless Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2002 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- All subscriptions sent to your e-mail free of charge.