Flash fiction: A medieval adventure

by Donald Hancock

He was a neat looking guy, just a little "nerdy" but with a cute smile. Doris met him in the library at the University. She was a senior in high school and thus somewhat impressed by University men. They happened to be sitting at the same study table and she noticed that he had a book called, "Horses and Kings".  He saw her looking at the title and smiled.

"I'm sorry. I guess you noticed me staring at your book title. I didn't mean to be rude, but it is a strange title."

"It does sound strange but actually it is very interesting. It is well researched and it goes into detail about the influence that horses have had in the lives and fortunes of kings and nations Mainly about Medieval times."

"How interesting. I have always enjoyed reading about the Middle ages, Royal courts and that sort of thing!"

"Then are you familiar with the S.C.A.?"

"No. What is that?"

" It stands for 'Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.'  It fosters study of what you said earlier - Middle Ages,  Royal Courts, Jousts, etc. Our group is having a tournament here at the University this week end. Would you be interested in coming?"

"Why yes, I would!. When is it?"

"It is all day Saturday and it begins at 10:00 in the morning. Could I pick you up?"

"Sure, what should I wear?"

"Just a regular long 'Prom' dress. By the way I'm John Bowers and your name?"

"I'm Doris Setzer and I live at 2545 Oak St. You'll have to meet my parents! Rules, you know!"

"I will be delighted! I'll be there at 9:15."

John showed up wearing a knight's  costume. When they arrived at the Tournament, there was a Fanfare played by 4 traditional horns. They were both escorted by a special entourage to the center stage where they were seated on two elaborate thrones. A herald read the proclamation, which ended..."Here today to witness the crowning of Sir John the Tall and his Lady Doris as King John and Queen Doris of our Tournament  of Champions!"

Doris was impressed to say the least!
And Lady Doris and John the Tall "lived happily ever after!"

Copyright © 2002-2011 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.

Short stories: A happy family

by Donald Hancock

A Nursery rhyme revisited

"THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE. SHE HAD SO MANY CHILDREN SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO". So goes an old nursery rhyme. How true, how true! A perfect picture of Eleanor Pappas. Well, almost perfect. She really wasn't very old - only 33. And she didn't live in a shoe, but over a shoe repair shop.

But the part about the many children and not knowing what to do - that is the rest of the story!

Eleanor had married her high school sweetheart right after graduation. Her husband, Ike Pappas (not the T.V. news man) had a job with his uncle that he had enjoyed all through high school - repairing shoes. He was in the Army reserves and his unit was called up for Viet Nam just a year after he and Eleanor were married. He was over there for three years and then was medically discharged for what doctors diagnosed as some kind of "jungle fever".

Eleanor had lived with her parents while Ike was away and had saved the money that Ike sent home. When Ike returned home they used the savings to buy a little shoe repair shop that had a small apartment upstairs. Ike and Eleanor loved each other very much, but they could not seem to have children. He remembered the kids that he had fallen in love with at an orphanage in South Viet Nam. He and Eleanor decided that he would go back and see if it were possible to adopt one of those children.

Because of his conscientious work at the orphanage during his Viet Nam days, he came back with the paper work for not just one but four young children from the same family - two boys and two girls, ranging in age from 7 to 11.

Soon they were not just a family of two but of six! It was a challenge to El but she took it in stride.

They had three small bedrooms upstairs, so they had one, the girls had another, and the boys had the third.
Things went along fine for two years and then El became pregnant. They had mixed emotions of course. They were happy to have a baby from their union, but where would they put it?

They finally remodeled a section of their bedroom to contain a baby bed and a small chest. But then the doctor came up with the news that the baby would be babies - twins!

What would they do? Six children! About that same time, Rob Nolan came to town! Rob had been Ike's best friend in Viet Nam and had helped Ike in many of his orphanage projects. El had heard all about him. When Rob was discharged after the war, he decided to look up his old buddy. It was a very happy reunion. When Rob saw the kids he recognized them immediately. Since Rob had no family, he decided to stay in San Diego for a while. Ike helped him find a job.

Rob immediately saw the problem of space that was developing at the apartment. He talked Ike into letting him invest some of his own savings into the business. It was drawn up as a legal investment but the money was used primarily to remodel the building. Rob and Ike did the work and part of the money was used for materials. They enlarged the downstairs and added a small shoe sales area in back. Upstairs they built two more bedrooms and another bathroom.

During the afternoons and evenings, after his regular job, Rob learned the shoe repair business. He also became like an uncle to the four kids from Viet Nam. When the twins were born he became their god father. He was "Uncle Rob" to everyone.

After seven years of this happy arrangement, Ike began to have symptoms of weakness that could not be explained away by his busy schedule. He finally relented to El's begging and went to a doctor. After a long series of tests it was discovered that Ike had a rare form of leukemia that was later associated with the use of Agent Orange in Viet Nam. Everyone was devastated.

As Ike was able to do less and less in the shoe shop, Rob quit his job in order to keep the shoe shop going. He had already become the primary salesman in the new shoe sales area. When Ike finally became bed ridden and then under the care of a local hospice, Rob was asked to move into one of the newer bedrooms so that he could help with Ike's care. He did so only under the condition that El and Ike would accept his payment for room and board. Rob proved to be a god send.

One day, Ike called El and Rob to his bedside and said, "El and Rob - you two are my closest friends in the whole world! El, you know how much I love you and how much I wish we could spend 50 more years together. And Rob, you are absolutely the brother that I never had. I want you to take care of each other after I am gone. Rob, I know you love the kids just like I do. I would appreciate it if you would help El with the kids as much as you can until they are grown. I want you to know that I have talked it over with El and she agrees that it is fine with her that I am specifying in my will that the business and the house will be half yours and half hers. That is the only way that seems right to me."

"Now, lastly and most important - I know that you two love me and that you love each other at least as much as a brother and sister love each other. But I want it understood that if, over time, your love should grow to be like husband and wife, then it will be with my joyful blessings that you join in marriage if that is your wish. And I want you to know that, if that does happen, I will be looking down from Heaven and smiling a big smile of blessing on you both.

Ike did die a few weeks later and Rob and Eleanor continued to work together in the business and Rob filled in where needed with the children. Rob continued to pay room and board but whereas he was paid a salary before he now just took a percentage of the business profits each month for his living expenses. They were very careful to continue a respectful distance from each other, both physically and emotionally.

Finally, after two years of that arrangement, Rob approached El one night and said, "El, I believe I already have Ike's permission to court you and I am asking right now for your permission. I would really like to be more than 'Uncle Rob' to you and to the kids".

El shocked him by saying, "Rob, you are already much more than an uncle to me. And as for courting me, courting is for people who do not know each other. I certainly know everything I need to know about you. You are a wonderful man that I have grown to love, as Ike said, 'like a husband'. As far as I am concerned, and I hope you don't think I am a 'hussie' for saying this, all we need is a marriage license!"

With a big grin on his face, Rob said, "Then, to make it official, will you, Eleanor Pappas, make me very happy by becoming my wife?"

"Absolutely!" was El's reply.

"Then let's go talk with the kids and be sure that it is OK with them," said Rob.

"They are way ahead of you, Rob. They have been hinting for weeks that we all belong together as a family."

Shortly after that day, Rob and El became husband and wife, with their many children all present and happy. Rob looked up and said, "El, I can almost see Ike grinning at us!"

"THERE WAS A (young) WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE (repair shop). SHE HAD SO MANY CHILDREN.....  BUT THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!"

Copyright © 2002-2011 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.

Novel excerpts: Falling in love

by Donald Hancock

Music To His Ears

Marcus Alexander IV was the son of a prominent lawyer in L.A. But he was not the kind of guy who liked the social whirl. He determined at an early age that he just wanted to be called Mark.
Mark had always liked music and was in the school band from the seventh grade on through high school. He had no ambition to be a lawyer like his father. All he ever desired to be was a high school band director. He got a B.S. in music and band instruments at UCLA and stayed on for a Masters Degree in Band Music.

Now he was ready to apply for a job in his field. He sent out several resumes but the only one that had gotten any results so far was Paramount High. He had a call and scheduled a time to talk with the Principal.
He was on time for the meeting and was called into the Principal's office. He could not believe what he saw. Miss Sandra Williamson was the prettiest girl that he had ever seen. He had been too involved with school to take any time for girls. But as he looked at Miss Williamson he had a very unusual experience. He had always laughed when someone spoke of "love at first sight". But now he was beginning to wonder if such a thing might be happening to him. He found it very hard to think clearly and he could not take his eyes off of this girl! He was being intoxicated by the sight, the scent, and the sound of Sandra Williamson.

When he got a second call from Paramount High School, he was excited but had mixed emotions. He was so glad to see her again, but the possibility of his being given the job loomed as a distinct problem in his mind. When the secretary told Mark that he could go into Miss Williamson's office, he tried to remember all of the things that you are supposed to do at the interview - smile, take a deep breath, listen fully to the interviewer, etc.
Sandra Williamson was probably the youngest high school principal in the L.A. school system. She had showed such promise during her first several years of teaching that she had impressed everyone. Now she was beginning her prepared speech with Mark. "Mr. Alexander, I have looked over your resume and have also checked your references. I am very impressed with what I see and I am ready to offer you the position of Band Director beginning this coming school term, beginning in just two weeks. How does that sound to you?"

Mark paused a long time and then stammered when he tried to speak. Finally he got his tongue under control enough to deliver the following somewhat awkward speech. "Miss Williamson, I don't know any way to say this except to tell you the truth and then hope that you will not think that I am out of my mind. First of all, I am very honored that you feel that I would be a good fit as Band Director at Paramount High. I want the job with all my heart. And now you might think that I am crazy for sharing this with you after being with you only twice, but I have never been attracted to a girl the way I have with you. I have never seen a girl that I felt that I would want to get to know better and perhaps develop a serious relationship with.
Sandra was taken aback and must have shown it in her face.

"I guess I have already said too much, but it all ties in with what I am going to say next. Or maybe I should just stop..., I'm sorry..."
"No, please go on Mr. Alexander. I do not see any problem in what you have said so far. I feel complimented and I am impressed with your refreshing transparency!"
"Well, I have heard so much about corporate rules about people working in the same work place not being allowed to date each other. If there is any chance in the world that you might share an interest in exploring a mutual relationship, and if that were to be strictly ruled out by my accepting this position, then I must respectfully decline your invitation and seek a position elsewhere."

"Do I understand you correctly, Mr. Alexander - you would turn down the position if it meant that you could not ask me out in the future? You would do that?"
"That is exactly what I am saying, Miss Williamson. I am not trying to extract any guarantees from you. I just do not want to burn any bridges before I even start. I just need to know if the possibility of our finding a mutual relationship would be ruled out by rules either of the school or of the board of education."

"Well, Mr. Alexander, I have three things to say in the light of what you have said. First, beyond expecting a reasonable degree of appropriate good taste, I know of no rules that would keep us from, as you say, 'exploring a mutual relationship. Secondly, can I assume that, based on my first statement, you are inclined to accept the position? And lastly, Mark, I am usually free to leave by 5:00 o'clock - which seems to be the case today. How does all of that sound to you?"
"Well, Miss Williamson, Sandra, I accept the position with great joy and, unless you object, I would like to meet you at 5:00 today to ..eh explore the details of the position of Band Director over dinner."

"I really think that would be a very appropriate thing to do, Mark. 5:00 then, at my office?"

Copyright © 2002-2011 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.

Short stories: Making choices

by Donald Hancock

Three Wishes
Roger was very delicate in his interpretation of Melissa's condition. She was, indeed, pregnant. But in the 1950's one was not free to use the word “pregnant” in polite society. So, as he wrote in his column of the young actress' condition, it was hard for him to deal with it delicately. She was “sans marriage license” and even “sans father of the child”.

Roger had known “Mil”, as he called her, since kindergarten. Their parents had all belonged to the same clubs and often got together for cribbage. Now Melissa was calling Roger at his desk at the newspaper office. “I am devastated, Roger, that you would mention my condition. You know most assuredly that I was a victim of that 'friend of yours' !” She used the last phrase with as much sarcasm in her voice as she could muster.

“I know, Mil, and I know that Monroe can be very persuasive when he puts his mind to it. But he really is a good guy. Whether you can bring yourself to believe it or not, he really loves you. I even think he intends to 'pop the question' when he gets back from his assignment in India.”

“Oh, I do hope you are right, Roger!”

Roger changed the direction of the conversation just slightly by asking, “Does he know about the baby yet, Mil?”

“Oh, I rather suspect so,” she said, again sarcastically. “I am sure he read it in your article, Roger. The London Times does reach New Delhi, you know!  I am kidding you, Rog. We have talked about it several times by post and telephone. He is fully aware that he is the father. He also knows that he is the only one that I have been intimate with.”

“Well, Mil, please let me know how your parents react to what I said. After all, everyone in Theater knows that you are pregnant, so I, as a critic, had to make some comment. I think I was kind!”

“You were very discrete, Roger, and I do thank you for that. I will let you know how my parents respond. So far they have said nothing about the article.”

Two days later Roger was happily surprised when Monroe Culbertson burst into his office with a shout and a grin. “Roger, old boy, I am still alive!”

“Monroe, you made it! I was just talking with Mil...” Roger's voice trailed off as he became embarrassed over the awkwardness of the situation.

“How is she taking it, Roger. I mean really? She tells me that 'she does not hate me', Roger, but I don't want her to marry me unless she loves me. I will support her and my baby for the rest of my life and just stay out of the picture, if that is what she wants. And I do not want to hurt her acting career any more than I have already done.”

“Does she know that you are back?”

“No, Rog, I didn't know if it was safe to show my face. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if her father has an elephant gun loaded for when I show up.”

“Well, why don't we put it to a test, Monroe, if you are game. Come back at 6:00 this afternoon, on the dot. I will make up some pretense to have Mil here too and we will just see how it plays when she sees you. How about it?”

“If you think it will help I will be here! Thanks, Roger old boy!”

Roger called Melissa and asked if she could come by his office to help him sort through some of her old publicity photos that he had found and that somewhere between 5:30 and 5:45 would be good for him. She agreed to come. At 5:45 Melissa knocked on Roger's office door and he jumped up and seated her next to his desk. After a few pleasantries, Roger said, “Mil, I have a confession to make. This isn't about photos at all. It is about you and Monroe. I have a very important question to ask you on Monroe's behalf. Monroe loves you so much that he is willing to support you and your baby indefinitely and anonymously if that is what you want.”

“If he loves me so much why would he want to do that? Why wouldn't he want to marry me?”

“Mil, he loves you too much to let you marry him without love. His own parents did that and he knows how dismal that existence can be. That is why he is willing to have you go on with your career and he remain in the background with no strings attached.”

“But I do love him, Roger. I love him more than my career. There is nothing I want more than to be Mrs. Monroe Culbertson!”

“Then this is what I would like to do, Mil. What I have not told you is that Monroe has just got back in town today. He has been to see me and will be back momentarily. I want you to step into this storage room and be quiet for a few minutes while I talk with him. You can listen to what he says. If what he says sounds good to you just come on out. But if you don't like what he says or you just don't really believe him, just stay in there and I will say I guess you decided not to come. How about that?”

“OK, Roger. That sounds good to me.”

In a few minutes, Monroe knocked on the door and came on in. Roger got up, shook his hand, and said, “Hi, Monroe. Have a seat”. Roger sat and paused for a moment and then said, thoughtfully, “While we wait on Mil I have a question for you. I know you are willing to stay in the background and just give financial support with no strings attached. That would allow you to fulfill your moral responsibility while having a life of your own. Is that what you prefer or would you want something else if you could have anything you wanted?”

“You mean if I could have everything just as I wanted it?”

“Yes, Monroe, what would you choose if you found the genie in the magic lantern?”

“Oh, there is no question what wish I would make, Rog. It would be the same thing that I have wished for every day since the day I first met Mil. It is what I have dreamed of every night. If I had a genie come out of a magic lamp and give me three wishes right now, Roger, it would be to be with Melissa for the rest of my life, to be her husband, and to be the father of our children!”

Roger smiled but said nothing. The door of the storage room squeaked open slowly and from the room came these words, “Your wish is my command, Master!”

Copyright © 2002-2011 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.

Short stories: Music

by Donald Hancock

My Night At The Opera
One of the main reasons that I went to the opera that night was to see the person playing Pagliaccio. He had been a real clown before he studied voice and became an opera star. It was his mother that had encouraged him from an early age to make singing a career. She had heard him singing in the children's choir at church and realized that his voice showed signs of being gifted. But Charles Muntz wanted to be a clown in the circus.

From the first time his folks had taken Charles to the circus he had been fascinated by the movements, situations, and the clothes and make-up of these characters. And so, as soon as he graduated from high school he asked for permission to apply to the Circus School in Sarasota, florida.

His parents were reluctant but finally set him free to go with their blessing and with the financial support that they were able to get together from savings. He was there long enough to learn the essentials and those responsible for the clown acts saw talent in the young man. They took him on tour and he learned quickly. He became very popular with children and parents alike.

But one night he went to bed in a very thoughtful mood. He remembered his mother's early expressions of joy when he sang. He thought how much she had loved opera and how much she knew about the singers over the years. it dawned on him that if she really thought he had potential then she probably was not basing that opinion merely on her pride in him as her own child. She really knew talent when she heard it.

And so Charles decided to test the possibilities. He went to a music store, bought sheet music for a semi classical operetta solo and went to his apartment to begin his experiment.He had chosen the Nelson Eddy favorite "Sweet Heart". He sang it every chance he got by himself and for anyone who would listen. He even worked it into his clown act and the people loved it.

When he felt that he had perfected his presentation he sought out the best voice teacher he could find and asked for an audition. He sang his best for the teacher and the teacher was absolutely ecstatic over his prospects and very eagerly took Charles as a student. After teaching his student all that he felt he needed in order to enter the world of opera, he arranged for an audition at a large opera road company in New York.
As you might suspect, Charles won the audition easily and became a member of the traveling troupe. He had already perfected several opera roles with his teacher and began working immediately on the repertoire that he did not already know.

Of course Charles' mother was beside herself with sheer joy that he had finally taken her direction seriously. She could hardly wait for his first appearance and she and his father flew to Milwaukie to see him in "Tosca". His part was not the starring role but he actually received a more enthusiastic reaction from the audience than did the gentleman singing the more important role.

And this was not a 'fluke' for every audience seemed to take to Charles immediately. There was something from his experience as a clown that seemed to allow him to project humor, humility, joy, and pathos through his voice, facial expression, gestures, and physical posture. Even his timing was enhanced.

On the night that I saw him, as Pagliaccio, it all came out as never before. When he did the really sad song he was so convincing that there was not a dry eye in the house. And when he finished, the whole audience arose as one body and the whole cast abandoned their stage identity for a few moments and turned toward him in applause.

I had dated Charles Muntz several times, beginning as a blind date. I enjoyed his company and was very interested in seeing him again but did not know that he could sing. In fact I had no idea what he did for a living. After several dates he asked me if I would go to the opera with him on the next Saturday evening. I had never been asked to go to the opera on a date before but reluctantly said, "yes". I assumed that he would be with me in the audience since I had no idea that he sang professionally.

He arranged for a mutual friend to pick me up and meet him in a small room back stage. It turned out to be a room with a star on the door and he opened the door dressed in costume. I was confused and impressed at one and the same time. He had a security officer escort me and the friend to what must have been the best seats in the house.

I sat with my mouth open the whole evening. I was so very proud of Charles and so very glad to know that we had a relationship. If I was not in love with him before, I certainly fell in love with him that night at the opera. It wasn't just his celebrity. It was the character that radiated so obviously from every word, gesture, and nuance that came from this gentle clown during that performance.

He asked me that night after the show if I would be his bride. I could hardly get the word "yes" out of my mouth quickly enough. His reaction was a combination of clown expressions that spoke surprise, humility, gratitude, and joy. I could not help myself. I cried and clapped just as I had just a few minutes before as the curtain came down at my first night at the opera. Now I have been his biggest fan for 42 years.

Copyright © 2002-2011 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.

Short stories: Love at first sight

by Donald Hancock

Matchmakers
Her name was Lola. She was one of those girls who tried too hard to look good - too much make up, skirts too short, dresses too tight. In high school, she just did make it through graduation, but she was a natural when she got to secretarial school. She aced every subject.
Lola had a good job and was well thought of by the doctors for whom she worked. They would often jokingly say, "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets!" But she did make a few waves along the way, to the dismay of her bosses. An example of this was the time she ordered the Chairman of the Board of one of the local hospitals out of her office because he had shown disrespect to their janitor. She was right, of course, and was fully supported by the doctors. But there was a lot of pressure placed on the doctors to fire Lola. It was to their credit that they stood by her.
Well, I spoke of that instance to explain why the janitors in the building - six in all - got together to take Lola out to dinner at the swankiest restaurant in town. They also took it upon themselves to provide Lola with an escort for the evening. Each of the men, all of whom happened to be Hispanic, were bringing their wives or girl friends. But they had chosen a very, very handsome young man to be with their "adopted daughter". His name was Julio, and he was every bit as good looking as Ricky Martin. Julio was, like Ricky, from Puerto Rico.

Lola was not at all sure that she liked the idea of a blind date. But she would never do anything that might hurt the feelings of "the boys", as she called them.
She had to work until 6:00 that night and she had to meet the "boys" at the restaurant at 7:00. So she took a change of clothes to work with her.

When she got to the restaurant she really looked good. She had turned lots of heads as she walked down the street.
When she entered the restaurant she saw that the boys had already pulled tables together and were sitting there with their wives. When they saw Lola they all jumped up and showed her to her seat. Julio was holding her chair for her. Before she sat down her eyes met those of Julio. She was not aware of anything else for the next several minutes, nor was Julio. They were both absolutely in a world of their own.

That night was the beginning of Lola's first and only real love. It was the same for Julio. She had been married to her work and Julio had not had time for anything but his job. He was an apprentice plumber and worked very hard at it. He was also a nephew of one of the janitors.
But Lola and Julio both made time for each other after that night, and, after a year of courtship, they had a wonderful wedding. Julio's family came from Puerto Rico. His brother was their best man, but the ushers and groomsmen were the "boys"! Lola's sister was her Maid of Honor but the janitors' wives and girl friends were given places of honor either as attendants or cake servers, etc.

The doctors in the office gave Lola and Julio the Honeymoon of a life time in - Puerto Rico! Julio was given a choice of location and he chose the most beautiful beach in Puerto Rico.
Lola retired very soon to raise a family of three girls and two boys. Julio became a Master Plumber.

The janitors all told their children and grand children the story about the night they worked a miracle of love. One of the "boys", Jose, claimed that he was the main one because he chose the restaurant. Of course, Manuel claimed the prize because he had thought of bringing his nephew, Julio, into the picture. But we know that, in truth, all of the "boys" acted as very special matchmakers on that very magical night at the restaurant.

Copyright © 2002-2011 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.

LOVE LIFE WITH PASSION

by Donald Hancock

"Maw, He's making me mad, Maw. I don't care if he is my cousin, I am absolutely gonna clobber him good if he don't quit right now!"

Sis was always that way with Caleb. He pestered her and she always yelled at him a lot and then tattled to our mother. But down deep I believe she sometimes loved Caleb more than her own brothers.

And when he went to fight the Yankees when he was sixteen, I thought Sis would die a thousand deaths. He
only lived a year into the war and he died an awful death they say - hit by a cannon shot that tore through his arm and shoulder. He bled to death in awful pain.

But during the last month before he was shot, he wrote a letter to my sister that showed how very much he had matured during that year of seeing men on both sides face their Maker. I would like to share that letter with you now. May it bless you as it blessed her.

"My Dear Martha, I sit here tonight and write what my heart is saying as l wait to go on patrol. I find myself amazed at the love I feel for you, my Dear Cousin. You are somehow more than even a sister could be. How we pestered each other as we grew up together.

But it was probably just our way of keeping a little distance lest we be too close for our own welfare. I
could always talk to you when I could not talk to any other. And it is in that vein that I would speak tonight. I feel a deep ache in my heart as though I will shortly be a source of sadness for my dear mother and the others and l know, for you. I do not honestly think that l will live to plant corn and marry and raise kids. It is in my bones that l will die in this agony called war.

But it is not about dying that I would share my deepest thoughts with you, but about living. It is with the utmost gratitude that I thank our God tonight for letting me walk this trail in the last months. For the things I have seen and heard and touched and even smelled have made me love life so very much more.

Seeing the agony of pain has given me such appreciation just for breath and for being able to walk and
talk and even put this pen to paper - such things as I have always taken so much for granted before.

Oh, Dear Martha, just holding a picture before a dying son so that he could say just one last word of love to his mother has made me love you all so much more dearly than I ever thought possible when l was there with you in my care-free days.

In short My Dear Cousin, I would say to all of you and to any one whose eyes might see these lines on some future day: 'Love life with passion. Love your family as a precious gift from Heaven.

See every day as a sparkling jewel and count every man, woman, and child that you are privileged to
know, even for a moment, as a dear and priceless brother and sister and mother and father and wife and child. For, I believe more and more, that somewhere down deep we are really such to each other.

And with that said, My very Dear Martha, I would not have you think for one moment that I fear the end or even that l feel cheated for not being allowed to return to you all - if that, indeed, be the case. Instead, I feel of all men very exceptionally blessed.

For I feel that somehow God has let me see more clearly than I ever thought possible just how wonderful the gift of life truly is, even if it does not see seventeen years. I am as prepared for the life that I will walk beyond the hour of my death as l would have been if l had lived to be seventy.

I thank God. I thank my dear parents. And I thank you. All of you lovingly brought me through my years of becoming. And lastly, I thank the men who have marched with me and have lived and died before me for bringing me to my maturity.

With All My Love I will always be your devoted cousin,
Caleb Prosper III.

And, Dear reader, you are one of those to whom Caleb spoke. You are one "whose eyes might see these lines on some future day." And his word to you, as to Martha, is "Love life with passion and count every man, woman, and child. .as a dear and priceless brother and sister and mother and father and wife and child. .for somewhere down deep we are really such to each other.

Copyright © 2002-2011 Helium, Inc. All rights reserved.