Fwd: MountainWings:Monday - and Andy

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From: "MountainWings" To: sparrowhawk@...Subject: MountainWings:Monday - and AndyDate: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0500-------------------------------------------------MountainWings A MountainWings Moment#3356 Wings Over The Mountains of Life------------------------------------------------- and Andy=============As Christmas time nears, we who have lost a child only have ourmemories to carry us through. My mind has been reeling withmemories of years past.But there was one, that I will always remember...It was a cold snowy December that year in 1976.Frigid temperatures had me piling more and more wood into ourwood burner in the living room. Andy wanted to go outside andbuild a snowman, I told him no, it was too cold. He then wantedto go over to "'s"

trailer and visit. I said no. lived on the adjoining property, an elderly man who neverhad any children of his own, he took a shining to my son.Every time Andy was outside playing, I could hear his gigglesover at 's house as they planted a garden outside in summer,or Andy "helped" work on some project he was doing. didn't have much. His trailer was old and ragged looking.Andy didn't see the "old" trailer, he only saw a man who lovedkids and a man who could bring a smile on a child's face daily.Andy didn't notice the tattered clothes wore, but I did.Andy didn't notice the hands that were calloused from years ofhard work, only I did. And yet, I still didn't want Andy to goover to 's house. Maybe I was afraid he'd pick up germs.Maybe I was afraid 's shabbiness would rub off onto Andy.How wrong I was. How blind I as an adult was that cold snowywinter.It was Christmas Eve Day

when the knock came at the door. I wasbaking cookies so Andy went to the door. I heard his squeal of"JOHN" as he opened the door. had never been to my housebefore and I wondered why he was there standing with his hat inhis hand, head bowed in a blinding snow storm.I went to the door as the old gray eyes looked up at me and hisvoice said, "I've made something for Andy for Christmas."Behind him, in the snow, sat the most beautiful wood crafted toybox on wheels that I'd ever seen. Andy jumped out the door andhugged 's neck. I helped bring the toy chest into thehouse. I noticed how smooth the corners were sanded. I noticedhow much work was put into making the box being a wood craftermyself. I knew had spent hours making the toy chest.The three of us sat down as I offered a piece of cake and aglass of milk. I saw the old gray eyes lovingly look at Andy,and I saw the love and admiration in

Andy's eyes as he looked upat .It was Andy, after left to go back home, that went into hisroom and dug out a piece of wood he'd painted and told me hewanted to give it to for Christmas.I watched as my little boy trucked through the snow to 'strailer to share the true meaning of Christmas with his friend.It was a month later on January 22 when another knock came atthe door. Andy opened the door to see standing thereholding a cake he'd made with crooked letters on it saying,"Happy Birthday Andy and Andy's mom." I offered to have himcome in and we'd share the cake, but he declined.He handed Andy a paper sack and hugged him before he left.I will always remember Andy reaching in the bag and pulling outthe finest crafted little car I'd ever seen.It was two months before Christmas in 1977 as I sat in a funeralhome, my heart broken, as my little boy laid in the casket.Oblivious to

whom was near me, only knowing I could not go onwithout my son, I didn't look up when I felt hands rest on myshoulder. And yet they stayed there. I remember turning myhead to see standing there, those gray eyes filled withtears as he looked at me. lost his little friend that day. I had once been blindedby the love between a little boy and an old man. And yet, thatlittle boy taught me to look beyond tattered clothes and oldshabby trailers. He taught me to see real beauty, in an oldman's eyes. For on that day, I saw love, genuine love from theheart from an old man who loved my son. joined Andy in heaven the following winter.God Bless you .Take care of my little boy for me until I get there.Love,Andy's momSharon Green Pond, ALFounder of Angels Remembered where Andy's picture can be viewedhttp://www.dk-ink.com/AngelsRememberedThank you for inviting MountainWings in

your mailbox.See you tomorrow.*****************************************************************Please help support MountainWings with a Donation.To Subscribe, Un-Subscribe, Get a Book or T-Shirt, Tell-A-Friendabout MountainWings, Ask Advice, Rate an Issue, Read Past Issues,Submit a MountainWings Moment or Prayer Request,or to read Today's Issue in larger easier to read type:Go To: http://www.mountainwings.comYou are subscribed as: sparrowhawk@...

Wmerry meet, merrypart,and merry meet agin, blessed be