I was rushing through the crowded isles at the Dollar General Store trying to dodge people, products, and find presents. It was difficult maneuvering the shopping cart around boxes blocking the path. I was looking at the shelves for a gift and bam! Bang! Crash!
I hit a box with my shopping cart and dozens of Hershey candy bars flew all over the floor. I was so embarrassed. I wanted to hide. I looked around to see if anyone saw me make the blunder, then started to pick up bar after bar of candy scattered like an avalanche in the store.
A real sweet lady walked up and gave me a sympathetic look. She had three children with her and it was obvious she had her hands full with childcare. The young lady didn't miss a beat, bent down and started helping me to pick up candy bars. "I won't stack them as nicely as they did," she said.
"Oh, thank you. Thank you!" I exclaimed. "You are so kind to help me."
She smiled and wished me a Merry Christmas as she and her children walked joyfully to check out.
I was so blessed by her random act of kindness and thought, "Now, this is the true spirit of Christmas. We could use a lot more kind people like this lady who will take time from their busy lives to help other people."
This is what Christmas is all about. As my pastor says, "Love was born at Christmas."
I wish all my blogger friends a very happy, healthy, and blessed Christmas.
Redhawk Publications Senior Editor Robert Canipe remarked: "This book is a terrific depiction of mountain life in western North Carolina. Readers are sure to be transported to the mountains with each new poem they read."
Redhawk Publications is an artistic initiative of the Catawba Valley Community College, publishing written works of interest for the community, North Carolina, and United States. CVCC is the only state community college with a publishing press.
You may order Brenda Kay Ledford's book at: https://redhawkpublications.com
Her book is also available at: The Beal Center; Hayesville, NC.
I enjoyed sitting on the front porch listening to Aunt Robenia spin tall tales. She often told the story about the time she got into trouble in the fourth grade at Hayesville School.
Several kids were eating peanuts and threw the shells on the floor in the old rock gym. The substitute teacher wobbled into the classroom. "Who threw down those shells on the floor?" No one confessed.
She ordered a little girl to sweep the floor. "What's wrong with you?" yelled the teacher. "Didn't you ever learn how to sweep?"
Robenia told the teacher the little girl had polio and couldn't sweep. The teacher told Robenia to sweep.
"No, I won't sweep," said Robenia. "I didn't throw down the peanut shells."
The hefty teacher stomped to Robenia's desk. She grabbed both of her arms and yanked her out of her desk. Robenia took off and dragged the teacher around the room. When she got to the front of the room, Robenia pushed the teacher down, climbed on a desk, and jumped out a real high window.
Robenia ran to a nearby church and hid. She peeked out the window and watched the principal chug-a-lug by in his old T-model Ford. When the coast cleared, Robenia hightailed it to her sister's house. Rena had a belly laugh about Robenia's latest capper.
The next day, Robenia returned to school. The teacher avoided Robenia like the seven-year itch because she had never seen such a strong child. No wonder Robenia was so stout. She often got into fights with her brothers and whipped them.
By: Brenda Kay Ledford
Reprinted from: Old Tales
an anthology by: Old Mountain Press:
www.oldmp.com
My great-niece and her dog
are the best of friends.
After a hard day of work
in the first grade,
Reagan has fun with her dog, Henry,
playing catch ball in the yard,
splashing in the lake
(with Mama watching),
and singing a merry tune.
There's nothing to worry about,
homework all done,
just running and jumping
with a girl's best friend.
Joy and song,
catching golden leaves
as they twirl and turn
on gusts of wind,
like birds let loose from their cages,
little Reagan and Henry are
two of the best buddies:
a girl and her dog savor
the lovely season of fall.
--Brenda Kay Ledford
I hope all my blogger friends will have a lovely fall and enjoy this beautiful season.
Some call it autumn, others call it God!
FANTASTIC FALL by Brenda Kay Ledford Fall is a splendid-sad season. She overloads the senses with colors exploding as fi...
