Don't Hope, Decide

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Kountry Kritters, Email Stationery by Cloudeight Internet LLCThis is a pretty

long one but very good one!!

Don't Hope, Decide

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one

of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about -the

kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away

from me.

Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet

way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right

next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his

bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look

in each other's face, I heard the father say, " It's so good to see you, son. I

missed you so much! " His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied

softly, " Me, too, Dad! "

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten)

and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, " You're already quite the

young man. I love you very much, Zach! " They too hugged a most loving, tender

hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was

squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off

the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, " Hi, baby girl! " as

he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over

and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The

little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder,

motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared,

" I've saved the best for last! " and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most

passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several

seconds and then silently mouthed. " I love you so much! " They stared at each

other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.

For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their

kids that they couldn't possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment then

realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional

love not more than an arm's length away from me.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was

amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, " Wow! How long have you two been

married? " " Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those. " he

replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face. " Well then, how

long have you been away? " I asked the man finally turned and looked at me, still

beaming his joyous smile. " Two whole days! " Two days? I was stunned.

By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he'd been gone for at least

several weeks - if not months. I know my expression betrayed me, I said almost

offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get

back to searching for my friend), " I hope my marriage is still that passionate

after twelve years! " The man suddenly stopped smiling.

He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into

my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me,

" Don't hope, friend... decide! " Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again,

shook my hand and said, " God bless! "

With that, he and his family turned and strode away together. I was still

watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when

my friend came up to me and asked, " What'cha looking at? " Without hesitating,

and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, " My future! "

~Author Unknown

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Summer R.

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