Category: Love - Grace Drops

The Flutterby

7/18/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

When I was a young girl, my father and I would spend hours talking about nature, space, and all things possible. He was my best bud. One day we were outside talking about UFOs, heaven, space, and what happens when we die.

About that time a butterfly went by us, and Dad said, “Look, sweetie, a flutterby!” Being the argumentative kid I was, I said, “No, Daddy (giggle), that’s a butterfly!” He said, “No, it’s a flutterby – see, it flutters by,” and we both laughed. From that day on we called them flutterbys.

About 18 years later, my dear Daddy died while I was out of town with my new family. I had a very hard time with his death; I went into a deep depression.

A short time after my father died, I was out in Dad’s backyard, crying and thinking about him when a flutterby fluttered by. The flutterby went all around me, then stopped, very close. I watched it for a long time. A great feeling of peace spread over me, and a smile came to my face. It was like a message from Daddy that everything would be okay.

And to this day, when things get tough for me, I see a flutterby.

Reprinted with permission from the book, Afterglow: Signs of Continued Love. © 2002, Karla Wheeler. Quality of Life Publishing Co, Naples, FL. www.QoLpublishing.com

A Dog's Purpose

7/12/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. Upon examination, I found he was dying of cancer. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?

Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps. Lots of them.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Being always grateful for each new day and for the blessing of you.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 6 (2008).

Love Your Neighbor

6/20/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Fred Rogers, the former star of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, used to carry a simple line around in his wallet. It was a line from a Benedictine nun, Sister Mary Lou Kownacki. It said: “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.” It was something Rogers clung to until the day he died, according to his wife, who helped put together the book, The World According to Fred Rogers: Important Things to Remember.”

Another piece of wisdom that Mr. Rogers always followed was that of Western star Gabby Hayes. One day, Mr. Rogers asked Hayes what he was thinking about when he looked into the camera?

Hayes’ response: He was thinking about . . . “That little buckaroo who’s out there, watching the show, and I speak directly to him.” Mr. Rogers followed in Hayes’ footsteps and never looked back.

© 2008, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 6 (2008).

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

5/11/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "THANKS FOR ALL THE THINGS I SAW WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING."

Happy Mother’s Day!

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

Four Candles

4/8/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

The ambience was so soft one could almost hear the talking. The first candle said, “I am Peace. The world is full on anger and fighting. Nobody can keep me lit.” Then the flame of Peace went out completely.

The second candle said, “I am Faith. I am no longer indispensable. It doesn’t make sense that I stay lit another moment.” Just then a breeze softly blew out Faith’s flame.

Sadly, the third candle said, “I am Love. People don’t understand my importance, so they simply put me aside. Then they forget to love those nearest to them. I haven’t the strength to stay lit.” And waiting no longer, Love’s flame went out.

Suddenly, a child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles. “Why aren’t you burning? You’re supposed to stay lit until the end.” Saying this, the child began to cry.

Then, the fourth candle said, “Don’t be afraid, I am Hope. We can relight the other three candles.” With shining eyes the child took the candle of Hope and relit the other candles.

The flame of Hope should never go out from your life. And with Hope, each of us can live a life with Peace, Faith and Love.

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

A Lizard's Tale

3/15/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

This story from Japan, true or not, contains an important lesson:

In order to renovate a house, someone in Japan tore open a wall. Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls. When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there because a nail from outside was hammered into one of its feet. He saw this, felt pity, and at the same time he was curious. When he checked the nail, turns out, it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.

What happened?

The lizard had survived in such a position for 10 years! In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind boggling. Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years without moving a single step—since its foot was nailed!

So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it had been doing, and what and how it has been eating. Later, not knowing from where it came, another lizard appeared, with food in its mouth. Ahh! He was stunned and at the same time, touched deeply. Another lizard had been feeding the stuck one for the past 10 years...Such love, such a beautiful love! Such love happened with this tiny creature...

What can love do?

It can do wonders!

Love can do miracles!

Just think about it; one lizard had been feeding the other one untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner. If a small creature like a lizard can love like this... just imagine how we can love if we try.

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

Give It Wings

3/6/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

There was once a lonely girl who longed desperately for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving song birds. She took them home and put them in a small gilded cage. She nurtured them with love and the birds grew strong. Every morning they greeted her with a marvelous song. The girl felt great love for the birds. She wanted their singing to last forever.

One day the girl left the door to the cage open. The larger and stronger of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl watched anxiously as he circled high above her. She was so frightened that he would fly away and she would never see him again that as he flew close, she grasped at him wildly. She caught him in her fist. She clutched him tightly within her hand. Her heart gladdened at her success in capturing him.

Suddenly she felt the bird go limp. She opened her hand stared in horror at the dead bird. Her desperate clutching love had killed him. She noticed the other bird teetering on the edge of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom, his need to soar into the clear, blue sky.

She lifted him from the cage and tossed him softly into the air. The bird circled once, twice, three times. The girl watched delighted at the bird's enjoyment. Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss.

She wanted the bird to be happy. Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder. It sang the sweetest melody, she had ever heard. The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tight, the best way to keep love is to give it -- WINGS!

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

A Great Dog Story

2/11/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember...the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, most money, or most awards. They are the ones who care for us.

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

The Secret Santa

12/20/2013

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

This story occurred when my husband had been transferred from Massachusetts to Florida. We had already had several transfers, and I didn’t want to move again, especially since all my family is in Mass., and I had a job that I loved. We moved away from a small town that was truly a “Currier and Ives” setting at Christmas, from the town Christmas tree decorating to the candlelight processional from town center to the white steepled church. Florida was NOT a Christmas-y setting as far as I was concerned!

About a month before the first Christmas that I had to spend in Florida, a large box with a postmark that I didn’t recognize arrived at my house. Inside was a beautiful balsam Christmas wreath that smelled of all the Christmasses I’d ever known. No card, no identification to let me know where it came from. It remained a mystery. The next week, a second box arrived with mulling spices for cider, hot chocolate and a note from Secret Santa. A different strange postmark was on this box, still of a town where I didn’t know anyone.

Week three brought a “Christmas Traditions in New England” book from a third different town.

Week four brought a candle and “snowman making kit.”

It took a full year for me to finally discover that my friends at the job I left in Massachusetts got together to make sure I had a New England Christmas. They drove all over the state to mail the box from areas that I wouldn’t recognize, and each one I asked about it innocently denied any knowledge of the “plot” until they all decided to send me a note together. That Christmas left a “warm fuzzy” feeling for weeks, and even now makes me feel so loved and blessed when I speak of it almost 14 years later!

Maryellen Sullivan. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

Lewis on Love

10/17/2013

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

By now everyone has heard of C. S. Lewis. At one time he was known mostly in religious circles. A professor of literature at Oxford University in England, he was an avowed agnostic until his conversion to Christianity in the 1930’s. He wrote and spoke prolifically about the reasonableness of his faith all over Great Britain. He wrote a wonderful “science-fiction” trilogy, and the children’s books for which he is best known, The Chronicles of Narnia. With the recent release of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” virtually everyone knows his name.

The problem this stuffy academician faced in the late 1950’s was that he fell in love with an admirer named Joy Davidman Gresham. He fell hard. Within a few short years, however, his new love died of cancer and his heart was broken. The movie “Shadowlands” dealt with this part of his life story. His journey of grief was intimately recorded in A Grief Observed.

Out of this experience Lewis made an observation about love. In his usual poignant style, he said:

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and probably be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully around with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the coffin or casket of your selfishness. But in that casket -- safe, dark, motionless, airless -- it will change. It will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

The only place outside heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is hell.

© 2006, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 4 (2006).