Monday, March 21, 2022

Happily Ever After

 


When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ~1 Corinthians 13:11


Pictured above is a Christmas tin rescued from my mother's attic.  Of course, the tin isn't valuable in and of itself; it's what's inside that is priceless.



Allow me to introduce your to the "Little Animals," as my brother, Bill, and I call them many years ago.  I can't begin to describe the countless hours we spend playing with these when rain or cold kept us indoors, except to say they always brought joy to our hearts.  The adventures upon which these beloved toys embark reflect our creativity, our love for a good story, and keep our imaginations working in overdrive.  

My only regret?  That I never went up to the attic when granddaughter, Virginia was younger so I could share the magical, enchanting world of the Little Animals with her.

I believe wholeheartedly that the games Bill and I play as children plant the seed of what would later become the idea for my book series:  The Glade Series and Adventures in The Glade.

Here is Hootie, the prototype for the character of Reverend in my novels.


He is given to me as a birthday gift from my grandmother when I'm probably two or three.  Dearly loved, and played with more than the other animals, Hootie truly shows his age, not unlike some of us.  He is the undisputed patriarch of this motley clan, always a reliable fountain of wisdom and advice when other animals needed it.

And there isn't a one of the Little Animals who don't need Hootie's sage stability in their lives, especially the Gang of Five.


Mischief seems to be something they can't help but cause, not in a malicious way, but misadventures pursue them like the plague.  Note that three of these rascals, the squirrel, the fox and the raccoon, also appear with frequency in my books:  Racer, Wily and Cleverhands.

While the latter animals are the permanent children in this rag-tag family, others range in age in our minds as teens, young adults, older adults, and father/mother figures.  Bill and I create a small-town community where everyone looks out for one another, and helps whenever they can.  What an idyllic world we see through our innocent and immature eyes!




Yes, I'm convinced that the role playing in which we engage at a tender age helps us to make sense of and bring order to the unpredictable world over which we have no control.  The adventures of our Little Animals gives order to chaos.  There are no unhappy endings, only happily ever after ones.

As Christians, we know we'll encounter times of trouble and trials, sadness and disappointments on this imperfect earth.  But these are only temporal, just as the fixes the Little Animals find themselves mired in from time to time.

Because we know the rest of the story.

And it ends happily ever after.

Amen!

41 comments:

  1. Oh, how you touched my heart this morning. It's been a rough night, and I suspect a very hard day today (it is for every farmer/rancher I know when days like this come). I never had great little friends to create story with when I was young, I instead escaped to the woods or orange groves (later on) with paper and pencil and created my own imaginary world. One of peace, love, and acceptance. As I imagined you and your brother playing with these and making up adventures "on the fly" in your youth, I can see how the writer in you was born. Thank you for this special blessing today Ms. Martha. Tears flowing... God's blessings.

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    1. J. D., I'm so gratified that this post touched your heart and reminded you of how you made sense of the world when you were growing up. But I'm sorry to hear that you had a rough night and are expecting a rough day at the Cross W; is it the bad weather coming through? I'll keep you in prayers for safety and protection, my friend.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. As soon as I saw what was in the tin I thought to myself, "They were her inspiration for her books." I was right. What a wonderful walk down memory lane Martha. My mother was not a collector, least not in those types of things, so I have nothing from my childhood. Of course, it is sort of hard to keep a baseball bat and glove (what I played with). But it is nice to stroll down the past. Love this post and thoughts. (And I'm suspecting Virginia will still love those animals because it is part of you). :)

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that you immediately made the connection between the animals and the eventual novels, Bill. And I hope you're right about Virginia liking them, too. We are doing FaceTime this afternoon, so I plan to show her the collection then; when she visits with us this summer, we'll see if she's at all interested in "playing" with them. I know her younger sisters would love them!
      Love and blessings!

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  3. What a wonderful selection of toys which inspired your great books. I like the moral at the end.

    God bless.

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    1. Thanks so much, Victor; I like that moral, too!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Wordsworth said the child is father of the man - and I might add that the child is the mother of the woman.

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    1. I had forgotten that quote, Glynn, until you reminded me of it here; it is so true! Thanks so much for sharing it with everyone here.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Dearest Martha Jane,
    Indeed, HAD you know your childhood animal critters had all be saved up in the attic, you would have used them for the next generation...
    How precious to unearth this!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. It was a precious find, Mariette. I was afraid these little critters had been stored in a cardboard box all this time; one reason I was loathe to look for them, thinking that the squirrels and other vermin would have destroyed them by now. Thank goodness Mom had the wherewithall to give them a safe storage container.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. WHAT a GREAT post. I can just see you playing with these treasures. We don't allow our children enough time to develop those imaginations anymore. AND look where it led--to a great story teller!
    Blessings!

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    1. Yes, Lulu, playing with these Little Animals truly helped develop the imaginations of my brother and me, and I treasure every moment we spent with those childhood games. Thankfully, my daughter encourages her girls to play games and use their imaginations. Too many kids today are deprived of that all-important activity.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. What a delightful find, Martha! To see each of your Little Animals brought back into the light gladdens my heart. Superb ending!

    PS - Now, what will become of them?

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    1. What will become of them? Not sure, since at least half of them were given to my brother. He'll more than likely let me hold onto them until he has grandchildren, but we'll see. I'd really love to give them to the youngest grands, but would want to know that they would be treated with respect.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. How God prepared you to write children books is amazing. We, my two children and us, talk about how easier it was to live so remote on the mission field. Both of our kids took as many stuffed animals as their suitcases would hold when we moved to Bolivia. They were the comfort for them at night or even in day time when they were thrust into uncomfortable situations. They smelled like home to them which brought comfort. When we would get a package from family or friends and what they sent was in a Walmart bag the kids would smell them and want to keep them for a while. Now as parents themselves they are very aware of children need for those comfort stuffed friends. Every time we talk to our youngest grandson in Texas he has his black and white Pegrim we gave him before we moved away. Always makes me want to cry. Sweet post Martha.

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    1. Thank you, Betty, for sharing your own children's story about finding comfort in their beloved stuffed animals. Nothing better than having the familiar surround you when you are far from home. And I do believe the quote that Glynn shared above: The child is the father of the man ~ Wordsworth. And how sweet that your grandson loves on his Pegrim that you gave him - I'm sure it's of comfort to him as he misses his grandparents. Virginia saw the animals today in a FaceTime, and assures me that when she visits with us in June, she definitely wants to play with them. Wow!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Love this piece, Martha! The little animals areso adorable. I liked hearing about how they inspired your series. And this is gold, "...the role playing in which we engage at a tender age helps us to make sense of and bring order to the unpredictable world over which we have no control."

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    1. I'm so glad that sentence spoke to your heart, Karen. Yes, the little animals remain adorable in my eyes, and bring back so many beautiful memories. Come to think about it, playing with these critters opened the door to knowing the One who is always in control.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. How fun, Martha. The tin at my grandma's house was full of crayons! All colors and there were always coloring books which probably explains where my love of arts and crafts was born. I loved this post and the wonderful memories!! xo

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    1. Oh, what a great memory you've shared here, Terri! Sometimes, it's the smallest of kind gestures from grandparents or other relatives that stay with us our entire lives, and always for the better. I'm sure the tin of crayons and coloring books boosted your later interest in everything artistic.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Oh how wonderful! I LOVE these little animals and the stories they could tell! Now I can fully see where your ideas for "The Glade Series" came from! That is so beautiful! I'm so glad you found them and that you are keeping them. I do hope your granddaughters will get to "meet" them all the next time they come to visit. I think even Virginia would be delighted, especially knowing how you loved them so. Thank you for sharing this with us. There's nothing wrong with being a child at heart again and enjoying all the creative imagination that I am sure you still have inside!!

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    1. Pamela, I believe with every fiber of my being that we should ever remain children at heart. It's how we see the wonder and joy of each new day, and truly appreciate the miracle of God's creation, even in the most mundane of moments. I did FaceTime with Virginia and her Mom today, and V. assured me that, even at age 11, she can't wait to meet the Little Animals in person when she comes to stay with us in June. What a thrill for me to hear those words! I wish I could share them with her sisters, too, but maybe one day.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Did you ever see the movie Miss Potter? It was inspired by the famous writer of children’s books in the 20th century. I watched it this rainy cold day and it was very good. I may share about it on blogger another time. Somehow you sharing about those cute little animal treasures from childhood and how they inspired you reminded me of Beatrice . She drew pictures of animals and made up stories as a child. I shared it on FB earlier. I became fascinated and read more about her. All blessings to you on your writings, may the Good Lord prosper you in the talents He has given you

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    1. That sounds like a wonderful movie, Cheryl, and one that I'd really enjoy. I'll have to keep an eye out for it. I remember reading her stories as a child, and loving them with their gorgeous illustrations. She was, indeed, a most gifted talent who used those gifts to the glory of God.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. SO very true Martha... kids are now caught up in video, tv and internet which does not give them a chance to do much role play, they are told how it must be. An excellent insight into why children need to role play, and learn important emotions, thoughts, and insights as children. I remember role playing many things as a child - mother, teacher, nurse... and I have wonderful memories of those days. Thank you for sharing this lovely post, the animals you played with are adorable, what a treasure to have!

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    1. These little creatures are a treasure, Marilyn, and bring back so many lovely memories. I know our baby boom generation did lots of role playing that truly helped to form our character and develop our imaginations. Not as true for kids today, but it should be. I'm glad my daughter is encouraging her daughters to be creative because I watched them making up adventures for their own stuffed animals. What a joy to witness!
      Love and blessings!

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  14. Beautiful and fascinating and I'm positive Virginia will likewise revel in it even not... parts of us never grow up.. childlike still here. Anything fun loving and sipke is timeless.
    Beautiful uplifting post. God bless. Pray for Diane, of Hadarah..she's still not well and needs our prayers. Praying for your fatmers to be safe too.

    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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    1. Just spoke to Virginia via FaceTime yesterday, Shaz, and she assures me that when she visits with us this June, that she does want to play with the Little Animals. What joy that gave me as she will be turning 12 in July. Your are right, though, about being childlike as opposed to childish. We can always be young at heart.
      I will continue to pray for Diane!
      Love and blessings!

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  15. Aw, what precious memories you had when you found your precious animals! It is just wonderful how you took those childhood recollections and made them into the characters in your books. God was molding you way back then to be the author you are today. May He bless you always!

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    1. I do believe that God does start shaping and forming the persons He means us to be early on in life, Cheryl, and I'm glad He gave me these Little Animals early on. I know the stories my brother and I made up only fostered the longing in me to be a writer. I have been so blessed.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. How wonderful to hear how these little animals influenced your adult writing. Your mother's intuition, no doubt. Mothers know a child's heart like no one else, and in your case, she sensed that animal connection in your heart early on. Beautiful memory, dear Martha.

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    1. I do know that both my parents recognized and encouraged our play with these Little Animals, Debra, and they knew how precious they were to both my brother and me. They would never dreamed of getting rid of them, and I'm so thankful they had the foresight to put them in a critter-proof container before the errant squirrels that explored their attic could turn them into nesting material. What a travesty that would have been!
      So glad I could share my memories of playing with them here.
      Love and blessings!

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  17. Those little creatures are indeed a treasure, Martha.
    I love that you made those precious childhood memories into the characters in your books.

    Happy Thursday!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Veronica. I'm so glad that these early memories turned into influencing the writing so deeply. I feel so fortunate.
      Love and blessings!

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  18. Oh this is precious, Martha. Discovering those simple childhood treasures is such a thrill, a true gift. I'm absolutely resonating with you this evening ... as ever ...

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda, for your sweet words here. I really thought the Little Animals were stored in a box, not a solid tin to protect them from the ravages of squirrels in the attic, and how relieved I was to hear from my brother, when he was cleaning that space out with his daughter, that these childhood playmates were safe, sound and preserved after all these years.
      Hope you're enjoying your vacation in SC!
      Love and blessings!

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  19. How delightful! You are reaping such wisdom and memories from cleaning out your mom's place. Thanks for sharing these insights with us,

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    1. You are so welcome, Jean! Yes, these little animals harbor some of the sweetest memories from my childhood, and I'm so thankful to have re-discovered them.
      Love and blessings!

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  20. Martha, oh...what a meaningful post... Those little animals brought you and your brother much joy and are still making an impact today. It's not so bad seeing the world through the eyes of a child--there's such a tender openness and curiosity. Sadly, the world seems to like to crush that openness and curiosity.

    This was a special discovery for you.

    Love and blessings!

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