A Conversation of Meaning

This evening, I wandered outside to check on my tomatoes and get a breath of fresh air. The cool evening air gently laid lightly against my skin. The dark night brought the humble reminder that another day was not just passing but had indeed passed.

As I made toward the back door to head in for the night, a faint whistle caught my attention. I looked back over the fence that separates my yard from my neighbors and could not determine where the whistle originated. The floodlights off my back porch only illuminated my side of the yard, so I totally missed my next door neighbor standing out behind his house waving me down. I walked up to our metal rusting fence and leaned in, and waited for him to make his way over.

Slowly, the dark shape of a tall, lanky man took form to reveal my white haired, cordial neighbor. I reached over the fence to shake his hand. He kindly asked, "How are you?" "Well." I responded. "Wish I could say the same..." His statement surprised me. I believe my face gave me away to him. "Yeah, going away for a few days." "Yeah, where you headed?" "Don't know, my wife is driving. Somewhere in Indiana." "Oh, okay." I sheepishly remarked. "Had to have a shunt put in this week. You know what that is?" "I do." I replied. "Yeah, need to just get away. Get somethings straightened out." "Well, I can only imagine." He stared blankly right past me. "Doc says I should be okay. I hope so." I could hear the doubt in the voice. He even gave one of those fearful laughs. Not really knowing what to say I responded, "Well, I am sure that's the plan." "Yeah, sure is." He then turned his gaze towards me and while I looked him right in the eye I said, "We will be thinking about you." "That means a lot... thank you."

Changing the subject he asked how Sara and I were doing. I told him the good news about Sara being pregnant. A smile lit up his face. "That's great! I know you both are excited." "We certainly are." "That's why you live there." He pointed to my house. "Yeah, apparently it's a fruitful place. The past two owners have had two children while living in the house." "Really..." he said. You could see the gears turning as he tried to remember who all had lived in the house. He spouted off a few last names, then returned his gaze to somewhere in the distance behind me. "I'll be sure to tell my wife... and my boy of course." "Please do." I said with a smile on my face.

About that time, my floodlights cut off and the dark night overcame us. My neighbor said, "I guess that's a sign." While he was getting the words out he started falling over towards the fence. His yard is on a hill just above mine so he was standing a good two feet above where I was standing. I reached over and placed my hand on his thin, frail arm. "Are you alright?" I asked with great concern in my voice. "Yeah, yeah... I'm fine. I'm fine." His voice seasoned with stubbornness. He pushed himself back from the fence to level ground and clumsily made his way back to his back door. "Have a good trip." I commented. "A safe trip is all I ask for." He bid me good evening and turned in for the night. I stood there for a few moments, leaning against the fence, contemplating the conversation that had just taken place.

I could and still can't get the image of his pale, aged face as he said the words, "That means a lot... thank you." He his hopeless gaze warmed and I saw sparks of life resurface. I would have sworn I saw a physical weight lift from his worn and weak shoulders. I suppose he knew I meant what I said. He was a totally different person when I told him the news about our baby. You would have thought I he was this kid's grandparent. Pure delight struck his whole being. I kid you not. It was cool to watch. The man that came to the fence had been replaced by one who somehow, someway remembered life and that it had meaning. I won't soon get over that.

The conversation was short and sweet. I suspect it took no more than five minutes for all that I just described to transpire. But, I can't get over the fact that a simple conversation had such meaning. In all honestly, it would not have meant so much to me had I not seen how much it meant to him. I encourage you... give your conversations meaning... mean them.

A Letter to My Child

Dear precious child,

At this moment, you find yourself warmly wrapped in the womb of your mother. Floating in fluid ever developing and taking shape to be a beautiful baby. Your mother and I anxiously await your arrival. I would be lying to say we think of much else but you. We have already developed a love for you far beyond your and even our comprehension.

We feel inadequate, unprepared, unready, and just simply at the mercy of God as to what to do with you. You are a special child, yes because you are our child. Your presence is already changing our lives and you haven't breathed your first breath outside the womb. My child you have brought abundant joy to our hearts and I assure you, we were pleasantly content before you were conceived and are even more so knowing you are on the way.

Our faces glow with smiles as we talk about you and plan for you. Our hearts know a new fulness and warmth as we pray for you everyday. I promise you child, you will know full well what it means to be loved, cared for, and adored. We do not promise you much materially, but we do promise you a wealth of hope and love.

I assure you even now we will make mistakes, we will screw up, but we will never stop loving you. You will find we are far from perfect, but we are honored to be your parents. We welcome you into our lives, our home, and our family. You are nothing less than a miracle and a blessing from the one and only God. We give honor and praise to Him who richly blessed us with this precious gift... we call our child. We know full well dear child you are only being lent to us, but what a privilege, one of which your mother and I will cherish forever. We love you and can't wait for you to join us. Godspeed.

With great pride and adoration,

Your Loving Father