Monday, October 20, 2008

God Lives Under the Bed.

Post 523 ~ ~ ~ Monday, 20th October, 2008.

Hi Everyone ~~ A lovely day here and I hope it is pleasant where you are. The days that are between our Winter and Summer are usually nice. It was quite warm here yesterday and our first taste of too warm - about 32C which is about 90F. My weekend was fairly quiet with a few phone calls and callers. I also had a bad day yesterday with Gout in a big toe. I could not post with the pain. (BTW I don't drink, or eat rich food.) It is OK today, thankfully.

My story tonight is called "God Lives Under the Bed." It was sent to me by my dear friend Barbara. Thank you so much Barbara. I hope all is well at your place.

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, "Are you there, God?" he said. "Where are you? Oh. I see, Under the bed . . ."

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6- foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will.
He will probably always believes that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to work at the workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! The day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. "That one's going to Chi-car-go," Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth and power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an
'educated' person to grasp. God seems his greatest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap, - - - I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all !!

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
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Time for some jokes - - - - -
My dear friend Patty sent the first list of reminders for us. Thank you Patty.

Some perks of reaching 50, or being over 60 and heading towards 70 and more.

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run --- anywhere.

4. People call at 9 pm and ask, "Did I wake you?"

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

7. Things you buy now won't wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 4 pm.

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

19. You can't remember who sent you this list.

20. Most important of all -- never under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
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The Aussie Love Poem. A re-run.

Of course I love ya darlin, you're a bloody top notch bird --
And when I say you're gorgeous, I mean every single word.

So ya bum is on the big side, I don't mind a bit of flab,
It means that when I'm ready, there's something there to grab.

Now ya belly isn't flat no more, I tell ya I don't care ---
As long as when I cuddle ya, I can get my arms round there.

No shiela who is your age, has nice round perky breasts - - -
They give in to gravity, but I know you did your best.

I'm telling ya the truth now, I never tell ya lies ---
I think it's very sexy that you've got dimples in your thighs.

I swear on me Nana's grave now, the moment when we met - - -
I thought you were as good as I was ever gonna get.

NO matter what you look like, I'll always love ya Dear - - -
Now shut up while the footy's on, and get me another beer.
<><> Charming !!

Do you know what would have happened if the three wise men had bee women instead?

They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought practical gifts.
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Paddy and Paddy, two Irishmen, went out one day and each bought a pig. When they got home, Paddy turned to Paddy and said, "Paddy, me ole mate, how we gonna tell who owns which pig?" Paddy says, "Well, Paddy, I'll cut one ear off my pig and then we can tell them apart." "That's be grand," says Paddy.

This worked fine for a couple of weeks later when Paddy stormed into the house. "Paddy," he said, your pig has chewed the ear off my pig. Now we got two pigs with one ear each; how are we gonna tell who owns which pig?"
"Well, Paddy,' Said Paddy, I'll cut the other ear off my pig. Then we'll have two pigs and only one will have an ear." "That'd be grand," said Paddy'

Again, this worked well for a couple of weeks later when Paddy stormed into the house.
"Paddy, your pig has chewed the ear off my pig. Now we got two pigs with no ears. How are we gonna tell which is which.

"Ah, this is serious, Paddy," said Paddy. "I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll cut the tail off my pig, Then we'll have 2 pigs with no ears, and only one tail."
"Ah, THat'd be grand," says Paddy. Another couple of weeks went by, and you guessed it, Paddy stormed into the house once more.
"PADDY," shouted Paddy, your pig has chewed the tail off my pig. Now we got two pigs with no ears and no tails. How in the hell are we gonna tell them apart?"

"Ah booga it," says Paddy. "How's about you have the black one, and I'll have the white one." (those poor pigs) (Not to mention you poor readers)
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Two old ladies were outside their nursing home, having a smoke when it started to rain.
One of the ladies pulled out a condom, cut off the end, put it over her cigarette and continued smoking.
Lady 1 : "What's that?" Lady 2 : "A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet.
Lady 1 : "Where did you get it?" Lady 2 : "You can get them at any chemist shop."

The next day, Lady 1 hobbles into the local chemist shop (pharmacy) and announces that she wants a box of condoms. The chemist, obviously embarrassed, looks at her kind of strangely (she is after all, over 80 years of age) but very delicately asks what brand she prefers."

Lady 1 : "Doesn't matter son, as long as it fits a Camel." The chemist fainted !!
<><>

They were watching a soap opera on television, and he became irritated by the way his wife was taking it to heart. :How can you sit there and cry over made-up troubles of people you've never even met?" he demanded.

:The same way you can jump up and down and scream when some guy you've never even met scores a goal." she replied.
<><>

"Movie cowboys mystify me,: said Bob Hope. "How can they jump off a roof and onto a horse, and still sing in a normal voice?"
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A downhearted diner asked the waitress for meatloaf and a kind word.
She brought the meatload, but didn't say a thing.
"Hey," he said, "what about my kind words?"
She replied, "Don't eat the meatloaf."
<><>

A fisherman sitting on a riverbank watched a beautiful girl undressing in order to take a swim. As she was about to dive in, he shouted, "Swimming is prohibited in this part of the river."

"Why didn't you tell me before I took my clothes off?"
she complained.
"But undressing is not prohibited," he replied.
<><>

Well that is it for tonight, my friends. I hope you find something of interest and to make you smile. Have a great week, people, and be kind to one another, Take care, my love and very best wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 523 ~ ~ ~ Monday, 20th October, 2008.
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16 comments:

Pearl said...

Hi Merle, thank you for the lovely comments you left on my blog.
The story of Kevin is magic, & true, I know I'm often disabled by fears.
& the funny ones are wonderful, congratulations on a great blog.

Bear Naked said...

Hello Merle
You know when we get to heaven, we will see Kevin sitting at the right hand of God.
Wonderful story.
Thank you for sharing it with us.

Bear((( )))

Patty said...

Once again you had some funnies. I like the fisherman and the beautiful girl that wanted to go swimming.

Lady Di Tn said...

Merle
We could all use a little of God under the bed. Kevin has it right.Cute jokes. Hope that gout does not revisit. Mimi suffered with it this summer twice and it was very painful. Peace

Winifred said...

Oh Merle you get the loveliest stories and also the funniest. I always have a good laugh.

Gigi Ann said...

Sorry to hear you had a bout with the gout fairy;) I certainly hope your toe is better and stays so.

You brought a smile to my face again this evening.

Have a nice warm day. Our temps are to be down to 30 tonight and morning. The days are cool in the high 50s and low 60s. Winter is just around the corner....

Ann

Puss-in-Boots said...

What a lovely story about Kevin...we could probably learn from that.

Sorry to hear about your gout, Mum would sympathise with you, she gets gout in one of her toes too, but she does drink a glass of wine at night. However, she reckons that at her age, she's entitled to at least one glass a night...too bad about the gout!

Hugs.

Dave said...

I so loved the story about Kevin, Merle.... very touching!

Great jokes today too! *S*

Christina said...

What a beautiful story. It almost made me cry. I want my son to grow up, become an adult and live a normal life. But sometimes I wish he could stay young and innocent and full of wonder forever. But of course I dont really wish this, you see? Thanks again for a great post!

audrey` said...

Hi Merle

"God Lives Under The Bed" is so encouraging.

Please take care of your toe.
(((HUGS)))

Jeanette said...

Hi Dear Merle, So sorry to hear you have gout., I know its very painfull, I watched Alan suffer for years with Gout in his foot (Big Toe..
Ohhh I just loved Kevin's story "God Lives Under The Bed"

I still have quite a chuckle when I read about the 2 Old ladies and the Camel cigs,,, HEHEHEHE

Take care Dear Merle and stay well... Love Janxxxxx

Kerri said...

Merle, you always bring a smile to my lips :)
I especially like the pig joke, and the story about Kevin is wonderful.
My favorite in your list of reminders is #18 :)
I'm glad to hear your toe is feeling better. That pain must be awful.
Your pelagoniums are beautiful!
I hope your weather stays mild for a good while yet. Happy spring dear Merle!

mreddie said...

I'm glad your temp is warming and I'm glad our's is cooling. For the last few days the lows have been in the 40s and the highs in the 70s (F of course). I did find many smiles in your post. ec

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Merle,

I'm with Bob Hope and wondered about that myself.

Maybe Keven has it right, and I hope angels are holding up the wings of air planes.

Janice~

Rinkly Rimes said...

Your Blog is always an uplifter in one way or another. I'm not spiritual, but I do enjoy a touching story and a laugh.

Annie Jeffries said...

Hi Merle. What cute little puppies. What breed are they?

So - we are off today for Sacramento where we will be participating in the Walk for the Cure for ALS. This walk is for all those afflicted with this terrible disease (and all of its various manifestations). My friend Tammy (Daily Warrior) has been dealing with ALS for years.

If you don't know Tammy, go to her blog and introduce yourself. She is a wonderful woman.

Have a fab day,
Annie