|
The Story Fairy - The Special Valentine
|
by Paula Ezop
TheSyndicatedNews columnist
Paula M. Ezop writes a weekly spiritual/commentary column for Blue Ridge Today, a South Carolina publication. Her most recent book, Spirituality for Mommies is soon to be released.
|
The Story Fairy
Why just the other day the story fairy came my way and she whispered a story in my ear. She truly did…a wonderful story just for you…it is all about the special valentine!
The school bell rang and all of the children of Lewis Elementary School headed out the door. It was a cold February afternoon and the wind whipped the snow in Bobby’s face. “Wow, it is cold out here,” mumbled Bobby to himself. “I can’t wait to get to Mrs. Cunningham’s house,” he thought. Mrs. Cunningham was an elderly woman that lived across the street from Bobby’s house. Mrs. Cunningham took care of Bobby after school. Bobby loved going over to her house, she made the best chocolate chip cookies and she always had a wonderful story to tell him as he ate his cookies and drank his hot chocolate. Bobby adjusted his back-pack and started to run through the snow. He ran the three blocks from school to Mrs. Cunningham’s house. She was waiting in the doorway of her beautiful old home and smiled her lovely smile as Bobby ran into the house. Bobby gave her a big hug and apologized for the snow that was quickly melting on the hallway rug. “Oh, Bobby, don’t worry about that old rug,” she said as she hung up Bobby’s snow covered coat, hat, scarf, and mittens. “Sit down and warm up while I get our cookies and hot chocolate.”
“So, how was school today? Oh, do you have much homework to do?” she asked. “School was great and I already did my homework.” Bobby answered as he chewed on a cookie. “I did bring something that I need to do though,” he said. “And, what is that Bobby?” she asked. “Well, next week is Valentine’s Day and well, uh, well, uh, I thought I could write out my Valentine’s Day cards,” he answered, blushing at the thought of Valentine’s Day cards. “Oh, that will be fun. I remember how I always looked forward to Valentine’s Day when I was a child. Well, when I got older why Mr. Cunningham used to give me the most beautiful Valentines.” Bobby noticed that her voice seemed kind of shaky. She seemed kind of sad and he could swear that he saw a tear trickle down her face. “Mrs. Cunningham are you all right?” he asked. “Yes, Bobby, I’m fine. I’ll be right back.” “I’ll bet she misses Mr. Cunningham,” Bobby whispered. Mr. Cunningham had passed away a few years ago and Mrs. Cunningham lived all alone in this big old house.
Bobby took out his store bought cards and his list of classmates from his backpack and sat down at the dinning room table to write out his cards. Mrs. Cunningham watched as Bobby addressed the red envelopes. Suddenly she got up from the table and went over to a drawer in her china cabinet. She took out a lovely old heart shaped box. It looked like it was an old candy box. “What’s that?” asked Bobby. “Well, this box holds all the Valentine’s Day cards that Mr. Cunningham ever gave me,” she said. “Would you like to look at them with me?” “I’d love to. Wow, I can’t believe that you saved all of these cards,” said Bobby. “Oh, Bobby, these are very special cards, they are cards that tell just how much we loved each other,” she said softly. Bobby looked at Mrs. Cunningham expecting to see tears in her eyes. Instead he saw a soft smile on her face and her eyes seemed to light up from inside. As they looked at the cards Mrs. Cunningham told Bobby a little story about each one. “Those were beautiful cards,” said Bobby and he gave her a big hug.
That night when Bobby was laying in bed he had an idea. “I know, I’ll make Mrs. Cunningham a special valentine, not a store bought one, a handmade one, with lots and lots of lace,” he whispered softly to himself. The next day was Saturday so Bobby began making the special Valentine. He found red, pink, and white paper. “I need something lacy,” he mumbled out loud. “ “Bobby are you talking to yourself?” asked his mother as she walked into his room. “No, I was, well, I’m making a special Valentine for Mrs. Cunningham and I need some lace or something lacy,” he said. “A special Valentine, what a lovely idea; Mrs. Cunningham will be so surprised.” Bobby told his mother all about the old heart shaped candy box and all of the beautiful cards Mrs. Cunningham had saved. He told his mother how special they were to her and how she really missed Mr. Cunningham. “Bobby, I think I have just what you need,” said his Mom smiling. Bobby’s mother searched through her sewing things and found some beautiful old lace. Then, she went into the kitchen and found some doilies. “Mom, this is great!” said Bobby.
Bobby worked all morning on the special Valentine and when he was finished he showed his mother. “So, what do you think Mom? Do you think she’ll like it? Do you think she’ll put it in the special Valentine’s Day card box?” asked Bobby. “Bobby, why it is beautiful and she is going to love it! Yes, I’m sure she will put it in the special Valentine’s Day card box,” answered his mother.
The next day was Valentine’s Day. After church Bobby hurried over to Mrs. Cunningham’s house. He rang the bell and handed Mrs. Cunningham the card. “Why Bobby, I don’t know what to say. It is beautiful. Thank you so very much!” She hugged Bobby for a long time. “Would you like to come in?” she asked. “No, I have to get home. Happy Valentine’s Day Mrs. Cunningham!” said Bobby as he went down the stairs. “Happy Valentine’s Day Bobby, you have made my day very special,” she said softly. Bobby glanced back and he could see Mrs. Cunningham opening the drawer where she kept the special old candy box. She took out the heart shaped box and sat down in her favorite chair. Bobby was sure that she was remembering all the Valentine’s Days past and that his card would now be part of her beautiful memories…
The End
www.followingthespiritualsoul.com
Published: Jul 17,2008 10:14
|
Andy Cowan
Andy Cowan, an award-winning writer, whose credits include Cheers and Seinfeld, regularly contributes humor pieces to the Los Angeles Times and the CBS Jack FM Radio Network.
Paul M. J. Suchecki
Paul M. J. Suchecki has more than 30 years of experience as an award winning writer, producer, and cameraman. He's written numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Currently he writes, produces and shoots for LA CityView Channel 35 and his more than 250 articles for Ehow.com are approaching half a million readers.
Coby Kindles
Coby Kindles is a freelance journalist, screenplay writer and essayist. She has been a staff writer at Knight Ridder and a regular contributor to The Associated Press.
Debbie Milam
Debbie Milam is a syndicated columnist for United Press International, an occupational therapist, family success consultant, and motivational speaker with more than 20 years experience. Her work on stress management, spirituality, parenting, and special-needs children has been featured in over 300 media outlets including First for Women, The Miami Herald, Elle, Ladies Home Journal, The Hallmark Channel, PBS and WebMD.
Dan Rafter
Dan Rafter has covered the residential real estate industry for more than 15 years. He has contributed real estate stories to the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Business 2.0 Magazine, Home Magazine, Smart HomeOwner Magazine and many others.
Jack Nargundkar
Jack Nargundkar has been repeatedly published in Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He is also an author of "The Bush Diaries" published in July 2005.
|