*******This is a dedication that will appear in my next book, “A Voice to Be Heard, due out in 2010*******
I write this not because in the future I may not, but because words, and stories
and fairy tales are important, and because they must be told and often, to everyone that will listen.
In the future (near future I hope) but since I acknowledge that I don’t totally control the when only the now, I write this with the intention of hope, and inspiration and knowledge that the path to Hell is paved with my intentions, and everyone’s.
I write this now because the future as it is, is uncertain, and endless and unknown. It is for all of us, a rabbit hole, a path riddled with potholes and pitfalls and a journey whose end is not known by us now, or perhaps ever.
With that in mind, I dedicate my book “yet to be finished”, when the story is mostly told, in a voice that is only partly mine, to a child that I only recently came to know, in a way I could never have foreseen.
I dedicate this book to a boy who, at four years old, held my hand and promised to keep me safe…forever and ever. And I believed him.
With that faith I allow this to be his. In every way. Although the initial voice in this story (the one to be told soon) is mine, it never really was, and never will be. The Voice will always belong to someone else. As each story is told, and each generation listens, the story will no more belong to the teller of tales than to the listener.
This person, this small boy, I entrust to listen, and tell stories, and hold on to wooden spoons from long ago aunts, and buttons from wars he never saw, and toy cars of his Papa and quilts of his GG (Great Grandma) and shells found long ago on distant beaches.
To this boy, I give this story and my story.
We all have a story, but only some of us tell it, and even fewer listen.
Most fairy tales begin with sentences like, “Once upon a time in a land far….far away, there lived a little girl (or boy)…” Those magical words keep us linked to the “then”, the “now”, the hope of what may be, and the possibility of all dreams coming true.
To those that hold on to tales as if they were holding on to life, I say cheers, thank you and rest peacefully knowing that someday when there is nothing left of my body, my soul will be safely kept within the keepsake box of someone special who will tell tales often, and with love, and with the knowing that someday the time will come when his buttons, and shells, and wooden spoons will be kept safely by someone who will explain them in wonder, to those who likely don’t understand.
But they will be told.
And so, to my keeper of my wooden spoons and shells I say this: “Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there lived a little girl…who would eventually meet a little boy, and to him she would promise her love, her protection, her life and her constant dedication….”
Wishing you all bright blue skies AJ, a peaceful New Year and long, smooth surfs, Chris
Entries (RSS)
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:44 pm
You have the a mother’s heart, soul, and spirit, Chris. This is absolutely touching. Thank you for embracing the experience you’ve been given–so few people do that these days and what a give we can recieve when we choose to simply accept what is there. What a blessed young boy he is to have you!
January 4th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Thanks Carrie! I am so happy that you liked it. I know it was a little tricky to read and follow, but sometimes I think that’s how life is as well. Happy New Year!
January 7th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I simply wanted to add a comment here to say thanks for you very nice ideas. Blogs are troublesome to run and time consuming therefore I appreciate when I see well written material. Your time isn’t going to waste with your posts. Thanks so much and carry on You’ll defintely reach your goals! have a great day!