Herkamer and Gertrude and The Inlaws

Wave after Wave

A little girl sat on the seashore with her grandfather while wave after wave came in from the ocean. At first the waves were fun and exciting as they rolled against the little child's body and rocked her back and forth, back and forth. Then, out of nowhere, came a more forceful wave that tossed the little tot harder to one side. Another followed, the another until the little girl could stand no more. She rose to her feet, put out her hands, spread out her fingers and yelled, “Stop! Stop! Stop!” However, the waves kept rolling in.

The little girl's grandfather enjoyed a deep chuckle as he watched his granddaughter's valiant efforts, and asked her with a laugh in his voice, “How's that working for you?” She looked him in the face and said determinately, “It's not! It's not!” to which the grandfather laughed again.

Sometimes it seems that the difficulties in life have a way of coming in waves. A wave of trouble here and another wave of trouble there, the relentless onslaught of the waters never stops. Sometimes the waves are not as big, but sometimes they are tidal in nature. As long as one continues to be in the water, the waves are destined to continue.

So what is one to do? How is one to respond? Expect them. Ride them, and expect them again. If a person learns to be a surfer, he or she will find the waves challenging, exhilarating, and sometimes fun, and when those waves come that are more destructive than normal, that same person will understand that even tidal waves crest and fall, crest and fall.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

Whatcha Doin' 'Bout That?

Yippity Yak, and Clickity Clack. Listen to all the Chattery Chat. People talking here. People talking there. Everyone knows everything about anything there is, and still, very few are doing anything that helps. Very few walk out of their own life's self interest and sacrifice themselves for others. The conversations merit answers, and the circumstances beg for solutions, but in simplicity the question remains, “Whatcha “Doin “bout that?”

Is it merely talk, or is there a walk associated? Does fodder fill the conversations with “If I were...” or “They should let me...” isms? Is it not rather amazing that the answers are generally found around the water cooler or in the lounge or diner and not in the legislative halls? Maybe the chambers should be moved, or maybe the venue should be changed? What would the “debates” look like if there were a whole wheat on rye order interrupting the process? But then again, maybe that is already in place.

Movement and action speak much more loudly than the conversational wind, and radiant heat exhausted from an over zealous orifice rarely affects anything other than the climate. “Do” verses “Talk” changes things. “Do” versus hot air affects alteration. “Do” moves legislation, altars laws, and redirects people, while “Jibber Jabber” only serves to make twenty four hour news channels fill their allotments.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

Goin' In A Washin'

Swimming in the ocean or a river wasn't always known as “swimming” to everyone. Some people from long ago used to call it, “Goin' in a washin”. Now, as strange as that may sound, there was some great validity to it because at that time there were no convenient shower or bath stalls within the houses. Why many didn't even have the luxury of indoor plumbing for that matter, but, nonetheless, the weekly or biweekly bath was deemed a necessary part of hygiene so people “washed” in the river or ocean.

Sometimes the filth and dirt from outdoors just clings to the body. Sometimes there seems to be grease and grunge that shows up from everywhere, and there is nothing like getting rid of that dirt and funky smell. Soaps and shampoos with a rugged man-like scent or a flowery fragrance invigorates, stimulates and enlivens the skanky body. However, there is another reason for “goin' in a washin”.

What about all the filth that one hears in a day? Gossip here, gossip there; fabrications here, fabrications there; dirty stories here; dirty stories there; backbiting, backstabbing, ridicule and strife; hatred, discrimination, prideful looks and fights; Could the list go on and on, a bit afraid I be. I think I'll go in a washin' now, I just turned off TV.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

Wrestling Past the Barriers

Communication is sometimes difficult. It doesn't matter if the two parties are ambassadors representing countries or an every day husband and wife, understanding with clarity what is in another person's mind is a challenge. Sometimes the effort can seem useless, and other times the information may prevent war. Most of the time it is beneficial if a person will pursue discernment by wresting past the barriers that prevent one person from understanding another.

Previous hurts, disregard, neglect and indifference from others usually prevents good communication. Sometimes people have fears of rejection that are so deep within that they themselves do not even know they are there. The pain caused by someone they loved and trusted pushed the ability to truly communicate so deep into the subconscious that even their behavior reflects it without them knowing. “He's this way. She's that way,” are the normal appraisals, but many do not care enough to discover why these “ways” are there.

Future results in relationships are directly dependent upon present communication. If a person desires a fight, he or she doesn't have to look far, but if the same person will care enough to wrestle past differences, pursue understanding, and seek clarity, he or she may find a new best friend.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

Just Passing Through

The bold red letter sign read, “No Trespassing. Violators will be prosecuted!” The older man looked at the sign and proceeded to pass by the warning as though he never saw it. His eight year old grandson was with him and said, “Granddaddy, that sign said No Trespassing.” Why are we walking through anyhow?” The kindly grandfather looked at his grandson with care in his eyes and said, “Because I put up the sign, and we're simply passing through.”

There are some limitations within a person's life. Some are others imposed, and some are imposed by oneself. Some things are attempted, and other things are omitted. Some things will never be done because others will not allow, elect or permit, and some things will never be done because a person never attempts, undertakes or tries. Some realize that they are simply passing through, and others waste valuable time before they realize the walk is almost over.

One of the keys to moving beyond the norm and reaching forward to greater heights, greater depths and greater feats is to realize that each person is simply passing through. “No Trespassing” signs may be posted, but each person's answer is found when a he or she realizes that those self imposed signs are territories upon which he or she may walk and probably should.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

The Long Ride

The little girls stood in line anxiously awaiting the amusement park ride called “The Twister.” As they waited they could hear the screams and yells of those who were already on the ride, and their reactions made the anticipation all the more exciting. Finally, it was their turn. Those who were previously on the ride left their spots, vacated their seats, and walked toward the exit. The little girls along found one of the empty seats and quickly buckled their seat-belts. Soon the ride would start. Soon the ride would begin, and soon there would be no turning back until the man at the controls stopped the long ride.

The ride began, and the carts began to whirl. Round and round and faster and faster the spinning couriers for humans spun. The world surrounding the little girls began to be a blur, and what was anticipated as being fun and exciting was now affecting internal organs. Soon the girl began to be dizzy and nausea set in, but the spinning and twirling of the ride was continuing to race forward in speed. Whirl, twist, yank, spin the metal cart that seemed such an excitement was now like a cage with no escape in sight. The once heartfelt desire to get on the ride was replaced with a passion for the ride to end.

Screaming, yelling, begging and pleading the little girls realized that the rantings and cheers of those who rode before them were actually people desiring for the ride to be over. “Let us off! Let us off! Stop the ride! Stop the ride!” the little girls yelled, but it was all to no avail. The ride continued, and the only one in control of the ride was the man at the controls.

Finally, when exasperation was at its maximum, the ride began to slow, the carts began to stop, and the ride was over. The little girls unbuckled their seat-belts, walked in a dizzy pattern toward the exit, and abandoned the ride. Their hearts were beating frantically, and their stomach were turning. Their heads were hurting, and their muscles were burning, but they survived. They were alive, and they promised one another to NEVER ride anything like that again.

Just then, they heard a carnival attendant say over a microphone, “Step right up! Hurry folks for one of the greatest rides ever to reach the theme park! The Scrambler! Yes, that's right. The Scrambler! Have more fun than you have ever had in your life when you step on The Scrambler!” The little girls looked at each other with a forlorn face and said, “You know, some rides are a lot easier to get on than they are to get off,” and they decided to go look at the animal exhibits.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?