Gone Home




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" October 2, 2002 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- By subscription only! 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 planner. The winner will be announced in the November 6 issue. ------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations to Bob and Michelle, they both receive this months writer appreciation gift, a mouse pad. ------------------------------------------------------------- There are times when we want to go back to the places of our youth. We find that things are not as we remember. Yet if we look, we can still find the simple pleasures. ------------------------------------------------------------- Gone Home By: Bob Shaw ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- I've heard many times "you can't go home again". It's probably because so many things change. Home will never be as we remember it was. I started realizing this when I returned from Nam. The new highway had been finished while I was away, and went through West Side, a small village built next to my hometown. The cloverleaf had taken out the entire business district. Every tavern in town had been torn down. Some years later, progress reared its head again when the Fairgrounds were torn down, and the land started being set up for future projects. That left a big hole in my memories. As far back as I could remember, those grounds were there, with Dad and Grampa running the farms thoroughbreds. Seeing the races. Enjoying the amusement rides. The lights. The crowds. The sounds and smells. All gone now. It seemed the longer I was away, the more changes I found when I came back. On the last trip home, I'd been gone for several years. It was late, and I couldn't sleep, so a late night walk seemed in order. The first thing I noticed was the fireflies seemed to be a little brighter than I remembered. And the stars twinkled a little faster and a little brighter. Things always seem more real and alive in the country. Even the clouds are a bit fluffier. The air had a fragrance you just can't get in a city. Memories came flooding back. By morning, the sun was beginning to light the horizon. Familiar sounds started to reach me. Somewhere in the distance, a Dove called to its mate, the insects, and all the different sounds of the morning came to life. I could hear the Whippoorwill, with its calming call. I was at once taken back to a simpler, safer time, a memory to be savored, time and time again. I've learned that going home can be a treasured journey. Once in a while, when I get that strange look in my eyes, Ronni just figures I'm on another emotional adventure. It's almost like the sign is hung out that says "Do Not Disturb, Gone Home". Bob Shaw Caperabbit @ Prodigy.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 has had many stories published on the web. Bob and Ronni live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Drop them a line. They'd love hearing from you. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Seasons By: Michelle C. Ustaszeski ---------------------------------------------------------------- As we climb the tree of life We are faced with many decisions Decisions that cause us to branch out >From time to time And sometimes When the weather is fine We sprout beautiful leaves for all to see Unfortunately There will be times When the seasons surrounding us change Becoming cold And ultimately Causing us to shed our warmth And colorful beauty Although we cannot control Our surroundings at all times We can maintain full blossom Throughout the year But only If we do not become dependent Or influenced By the ever-changing temperatures Surrounding us Yet continue to grow Upward Toward the light Reaching new heights Depending only On the depth Of our roots Michelle C. Ustaszeski michellecharlene @ earthlink.net -------------------------------------------------------------- Michelle is a single mother of two young children, Samantha and Nicholas. She has created a line of inspirational bookmarks dedicated to them, called "Sam-n-Nick's Inspirations". Her website has just been completed and can be found at: http://samnicks.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- Annettee's story shows how God knows our needs and is able to meet them even when we see no way. I love stories about God's goodness! Anne ***** How many times have we entertained angels unaware? How many times have a coincidence been the hand of the Lord working in our lives. I think it is more often than we realize. Great story. Shelly ---------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner Last week's hurricane slipped by with no problems for us. Now we are looking forward to another one this week. It's a little stronger. God is in control of even hurricanes. Jeremy's dog, Rejin, has decided the laundry room is her toy room. When I hang something to dry, she waits till I leave, then pulls it down and drags it into the yard and through the mud. When I walk outside she comes running like she is so proud of her accomplishment. I feel like I have a mischievous toddler in the house. 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.