About Angels By Laura E. Richards

"Mother," said the child, "are there really angels?"
The Good Book says so," said the mother
"Yes," said the child. "I have seen the picture. But did you ever see one, Mother?"
"I think I have," said the mother, "but she was not dressed like the picture."
"I am going to find one!" said the child. "I am going to run along the road, miles and miles, and miles, until I find an angel."
"That will be a good plan!" said the mother. "And I will go with you, for you are too little to run so far alone."
"I am not little any more!" said the child. "I have trousers. I am big."
"So you are!" said the mother. "I forgot. But it is a fine day, and I shall like the walk."
"But you walk so slowly with your lame foot."
So they started, the child leaping and running and the mother stepping out so bravely with her lame foot that the child forgot about it.
The child danced on ahead, and presently he saw a chariot coming towards him, drawn by prancing white horses. In the cchariot sat a splendid lady in velvet furs, with white plumes waving above her dark hair. As she moved in her seat, she flashed with jewels and gold, but her eyes were brighter than her diamonds.
"Are you and angel?" asked the child, running up beside the chariot.
The lady made no reply, but stared coldly at the child. Then she spoke a word to her coachman, and he flicked his whip and they were off.
The mother came and wiped the dust left from the carriage from his eyes with her gingham apron.
"That was not an angel!" said the child.
The child danced on again, leaping and running from side to side of the road and the mother followed.
By and by the child met the most beautiful maiden. Her eyes were like blue stars, and the blushes came and went in her face like roses looking through snow.
"I am sure you must be an angel!" cried the child.
The maiden blushed more sweetly than before. The maiden took him up in her arms and kissed him and held him tenderly.
"You are the dearest thing I've ever saw!" she said.
"Oh!" she cried. "There he is coming to meet me!"
She scolded the child for soiling her dress with his muddy shoes and ran off to her lover.
The child lay in the dusty road and sobbed, till his mother came along and picked him up and wiped away his tears with her gingham apron.
"I don't believe that was an angel after all" he said.
"I am tired" said the child. "Will you carry me home, Mother?"
"Why yes!" said the mother. "This is what I came for."
The child put his arms around his mother's neck and she held him tight and trudged along the road, singing the songs he liked best.
Suddenly he looked up in her face.
"Mother," he said, "I don't suppose YOU could be an angel, could you?"
"Who ever heard of an angel in a blue gingham apron?" And she went on singing, and stepped so bravely on her lame foot that no one would ever have known she was lame.

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!!!

Happy 18th Birthday Addie !!!

My goddaugther turns 18 today. It seems as if it were only yesterday when she was born. She's graduating next month and then off to college. Time goes so fast.

This one has always been surrounded with friends. As she dances through the adult life that lies ahead, the people who bump into her along the way will be lucky to know her.

She always has a smile and helpful words of advice.

Happy 18th Birthday Addie Rae!!!!

And Bats...

Adam has been talking of bats for the last two weeks. After a trip to the Auqarium and the San Francisco Zoo, he will say after speaking about what he saw "...and bats". But he never saw bats. Today we lucked out, at the Oakland Zoo wee saw Fruit Bats (very large and cute). They were up close too. Needless to say, during tonite's prayers he thanked God for bats.

Easter Sunday (day of the gods)

No, I haven't gone Hindu. Easter was a special day for me. Adam woke up in a joyful mood and was extremely excited to see if the Easter bunny had come. He saw from the upstairs staircase a basket and reluctantly walked down to peek in (maybe the bunny was still about?). Adam most enjoyed a little bird that hung from the center handle of the basket and delighted in it.


Then it was off to find a few hidden eggs. After finding one, Adam was content to stay with it and needed the more motivated Mom to push on the search for more.


We soon dressed for dinner and headed out for a visit with friends in San Jose. The house was full of gods. My godmother, Terry. Adam's godparents, Laurie and Ray and my goddaughter Addie Rae. Adam had quite the time, because the host is a lover of guitar. He took time in between the grilling and bartending to play some songs with Adam. This was a treat, better than the chocolate Easter bunny in the basket for sure. That night while saying prayers, Adam said, "And thank-you for the guitar man and Over the Rainbow". With all of the goodies and special gifts he had received on Easter Sunday, this meant the most to him.

Pirate Ships, A Steam Engine Train and Daddy

This weekend was filled with man stuff. We enjoyed the outdoors and took in some Spring weather. A friend, Laura, told us about the Tall Ships (AKA pirate ships) at the port in Redwood City. Adam was thrilled to see them. The crew even smelled like pirates. When we first approached to get on board Adam said "No thank-you mommy". But after a little push he agreed and had a fun time exploring the ship.

Sunday, we spontaneously decided to head over the hill to Roaring Camp. We got lost on the way, but fortunately made the last train. After returning, we made our way through the redwoods where Adam stuck his head in several house shaped garbage cans looking for goblins (gnomes). His imagination is beginning to play out and it's a kick to observe. On our way back to the car, Adam played contently on some hay bales, jumping several feet from one and landing on all fours. I thought at first this was a brave little boy recovering subtly from a harsh fall, but then he repeated the jump several times, man stuff.

BRUCE APRIL 1ST BEST CONCERT NO FOOLIN'

I can't count the times I have seen Bruce in concert. Last night was monumental. At a time when I'm really feeling my age, Bruce and the E Street Band took me back to 1984. These guys were lean and youthful (excluding Max) and comprehensively covered their musical career. The best of Bruce and E Street I've seen yet. My favorite Bruce in concert was acoustic in 1986 at the Bridge benefit when he sang FIRE (this is the one shown on MTV). If you're not a heterosexual female you will become one watching a second of that. Metro males should not see it or well we can all imagine the consequence.

First time ever I heard Growin Up in concert. It was rough and Stone Ponyish in sound (on purpose?). He sang it for his son. The Ghost of Tom Joad beautiful. Bruce was telling stories and pumping up America. The variation and heart was to die for.

We were so close. But Patty stood there in between.