Storyteller

It was morning. The boys and I sat at the kitchen table. I had begun a reading of my favorite parable - The Lost Son. As is often the case with children, and maybe people in general, reading directly from the text wasn't having the impact I had anticipated.

Not knowing what else to do, I laid the text aside and began to simply tell the story the way I saw it happening in my head...with embellishments, exclamations, and passion.

Soon the look on Ethan's face changed. He was into it...right there with me...seeing the far country, the pig slop, and the desperate look in the lost son's eyes. When I finished, all was strangely quiet.

Ethan stared thoughtfully at me. "Dad...you're a storyteller."

In a rare moment of insight, it seemed Ethan not only saw what I saw in the story, but he saw something else...me.

Not "the me" I always thought I wanted to be. You know...that guy people gathered around at parties or family gatherings. The guy who could tell a great yarn. The guy who simply opens his mouth and people listen.

The truth is...I'm not that guy. I'm not that kind of storyteller. I can't conjure up all kinds of wild tales. I can't even tell a good joke.

But as it turns out...I am a storyteller. The kind of storyteller that sees the small things...the hidden things...the things not everyone can see without being shown.

And remarkably, my son knows that...because he can see too. He can see me...just as I am.

A New Hope

It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, and a young boy had just witnessed the coolest thing he had ever seen. The first ever big screen Star Wars movie!

I'll never forget that day...30 some years ago.

Strangely, I feel the same sort of youthful excitement because today...in just a few minutes, I have the opportunity to lead two little boys into the world of Luke, Han, and Vader...

The Force and The Empire...good vs. evil.

Strange how time seems to collapse around certain memories...as if I'm suddenly that little boy again...trying so hard to levitate objects with my mind (I really tried...many times...).

Will tonight be such a memory for Ethan and Ezra? Will they remember the first time they saw Star Wars as they lead their own little boys into the far away galaxy?

I suppose time will tell.

Well, I'm off...to my very important date.

Oh, and one more thing.

Thanks Aunt Mick, and may the force be with you.

The Tale of Grandma and the New Car

Due to recent employment changes and rising gas prices...I wondered aloud about the possibility of acquiring an additional gas efficient vehicle.

I asked Ezra what he thought.

He said, "Good. You can drive the truck. Mom can drive the van. And Grandma Jan can drive me and brother in the new car."

Of course she would Ez. Who else?