Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Story-Time Tuesday Chapter 12

If you missed TALES FROM HOME - Chapter 11, just click here to read it.
Jenny Matlock

TALES FROM HOME - Chapter Twelve

Throughout the day, the happy little house had been filled with delight. Hearing the scritch-scratch sound of the hoe in the garden outside the backdoor and the happy shouts of children working hard at being children had left the house filled with wonder. The tickling scrub of cool water making the house’s kitchen shine left the house filled with pride. And if houses could actually laugh, the gurgle of fresh, cool water gushing through the old red pump into the chipped white kitchen sink would have made it giggle in delight.

Sometimes in our lives, though, when we have gone through a long period of sadness, happiness feels like it might be a trick. Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking sad things just so we don’t feel too hurt when the bad things come again. We so strongly convince ourselves that dreadful things are just around the corner, we allow our joy to fade away. We become afraid.

And often fearful hearts experience worries and doubts.

The happy little house began to suffer those feelings, too.
Remembering earlier days when waiting for someone to return was the house’s only pastime, the little house began to push some of the happiness aside.

“Soon these children will head off on their way and forget all about me,” the little house thought. “Soon I will be empty and unloved again and no one will care whether I collapse into a heap of boards and bricks or not!”

Sometimes when we get on the worry train, it is hard to find a way off the tracks so we continue our journey to even more terrible possibilities.

Even though the sky was cloudless and blue, the little house recalled days when it had been filled with dark, threatening clouds and menacing thunder and lightning.

“When storms come I won’t be able to protect the children,” the little house fretted.

Even though the trees in the little woods stood straight and green, the little house summoned up days when smoke had rolled across the hillside and the scent of burning forest fires had perfumed the air with destruction and worry.

“When those fires come I won’t be able to save the children from harm,” the little house fussed.

And even though the children’s happiness and sense of adventure surrounded the little house inside and out, the little house worried about the day when…

“Stop!” the little house commanded itself.

“Stop fretting. Stop fussing. Stop imagining horrible things! Right now I am happy and happy is sometimes hard to find. Right now I will just let myself be happy.”

And if houses could exhale in relief, our little house would have done so just then.

To be continued on Tuesday, July 13.

(c) 2010 Jennifer R. Matlock
This publication is the exclusive property of Jennifer R. Matlock and is protected
under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Jennifer R. Matlock. All rights reserved.

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18 comments:

Jocelyn said...

Another great chapter.....I you know what...the last part is so true....we worry....I know I do that all the time....what if...projecting the worst of worst...and yes today....take the Happiness and ENJOY it!!!

Loved this one Jenny..what talent you have sweet friend!!!!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

A chapter full of important lessons....I. LOVE. IT.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Jenny,
I love this little story! So glad that I'll be able to catch up the chapter I'll miss when we're away. Have a great week.

Martha

Pat Wahler said...

Oh, the stories our houses could tell!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

Poor worried little house, I know what that's like.

Jeanie said...

The little house is giving us all some reminders in regard to seizing the day.

Marlene said...

Great comparison...house is like a mamma...always worrying about her charges. ;)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Excellent!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Tina said...

That's a pretty smart house to "get off the worry train" and seize the day! And a great reminder for us all. Lovely.

Linda Medrano said...

I think this is fabulous. We do need to stop the "what if's" and enjoy what's right in front of us. Beautiful chapter!

Ms. A said...

That little house could be me! Worrying and so full of dread and doubt, I forget to enjoy the moments of happiness that come along, on occasion.

Mrs. M said...

I love that some of your chapters focus solely on the house and it's thoughts!!

The Words Crafter said...

Hmmm, that little house sounds awfully human. I can understand just how it feels. I'm glad it shook off those dark doubts and fears...

Theresa said...

Ahh, that little house is feeling better:) It is happy, I love happy houses!

Have a blessed evening! HUGS!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Wonderful allegories, Jenny. I have been accused of being a worrier in the past, and now I try to dwell in the positive!

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Hi Jenny,
I was just over at PJ's place, saw your pic in the comments and thought I'd stop by to say "hi".
Your Post below (A Rite of Passage) tugged at my heart strings. You're so right, childhood is so fleeting. I wish today's kiddos weren't in such a hurry to leave it. The pics of your granddaughter (past and future) were precious!!!
Hope you're having a good week.
M.L.

Lourie said...

Oh I love this chapter Jenny! And I love this sweet little house.

Terra said...

I wonder if the house would giggle because the water was tickling as it ran through the pipes? It is so hard to find and stay happy and it is true we are all in charge of our own feelings...sometimes we have to worry, have to dread have to be sad (it would not be life if we weren't) so inanimate object or not this little house has a lot to teach and my favorite lesson so far

“Stop fretting. Stop fussing. Stop imagining horrible things! Right now I am happy and happy is sometimes hard to find. Right now I will just let myself be happy.”