Nov 20 - New Essay - The Quiet Voice

Nov 20 - New Essay

11/20/2021

Today, a new essay, "Old Friends," under "Essays" in the website. FK

Cal Roeker

12/9/2021 09:30:04 am

“Let’s have some ice cream” !
(Spoken by a cousin of Cal Roeker)

I must have been around 8 years old when my mother’s aunt Clara passed away. I do not remember the funeral, but I do remember the gathering afterwards. We were at one of my mother’s cousin’s house. It must have near Christmas as I recall a Christmas tree, and other Yuletide decorations. Everyone was in a somber mood, fitting, since we had just attended a funeral. I don’t recall much about aunt Clara except that she always had really good cookies and that she had a cat. The gravity of her passing was lost on me, but I was old enough to know that one does not act festive following a funeral. So I sat quietly with a somber expression, privately wishing that I could have one of aunt Clara’s cookies.
One of my mother’s other cousins had a son that must’ve been around 16 years old and was mentally challenged. In those days we used the word “retarded”, not acceptable today. To me, all I knew was that he was different somehow, and that he really wasn’t acting the way someone his age should. As time went on, the more agitated he became, when all of of sudden be burst out loudly with, “let’s have some ice cream”! There were a few gasps, and a stone like silence fell as his mother started to reprimand him for his outbursts.
After a few minute, one of aunt Clara’s daughters said, “you know what, that’s a good idea, I have some ice cream in the freezer and a box if cookies that mom made just last week.
After awhile, over cookies and ice cream the mood changed and the spirit of Christmas took over.
It took Linus and his simple yet profound thinking to remind his friends that the Christmas tree no matter how humble, is a reminder of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. A symbol of hope in what often seems like a hopeless world.
It took a mentally challenged 16 year old to remind us that death should be looked upon not only as the loss of a loved one, but a joyful time of celebration as we pass into that new and joyful life with the Lord.
On this Christmas, please count your blessings, enjoy family and friends, and above all; have a little ice cream.

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Nov 20 - New Essay

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