Thursday, March 10, 2011

Dearest God,

We laughed with hilarity as we lay in our sleeping bags continuing the saga of Dr. Bo, Nellie and Sally with the limp. A few years back on a very wet July 4, I began spinning a yarn when the rain fell and we were stuck in our car. "Grandma, tell us a story," the two grandchildren cried out.

Every so often when we get together for our sleepovers, one of the now three will ask me what has happened to Red and Sted, Wen Cho Puffy who speaks with a very tilted Chinese accent, Sally, Dr. Bo who used to suffer with a withered hand and toe fungus, the queen who serves tea and cookies 24/7, Nellie, the island of dead cats and the peanut factory and the other characters who've entered our stories from the back side. Because I'm usually tired and ready to go to sleep, the story line has taken some strange and funny turns. When I reveal strange events like the forgotten twin of Sally named Silly who was found as an adult riding the waves on a piece of fiberboard in Michigan and Dr. Bo realized he was really Sam Fletcher after the tire ran over half his face and he had long-term memory loss but because he was grateful for good care, became a doctor, the kids roll on the floor. Our laughter fills the room.

We never make fun of people but our stories are outrageous. All now take a part in creating the story on the spot, even Rylan who is three years old. I tried to tell them a true story tonight about my own visit to Michigan when I ran into Lake Michigan and cut my foot so badly that I had to be carried to the car and to the emergency room for stitches. "Grandma, could you tell us a fake story instead? They're funnier," Gabrielle, my ten year old granddaughter said. That's when Silly with the limp was found alive and floating in Lake Michigan. What a reunion it was because most of the characters had unknowingly traveled on the same ferry to vacation in Michigan. They were all sunning on shore when Silly was found, Dr. Bo realized he was Sam and Nellie drew her whole family together while the queen served more tea and cookies with Wen Cho Puffy running around saying "Ahso, Ahso, Ahso."

All this is to say, dear God, that imagination and laughter are wonderful gifts of yours. As my daughter's family and I create and laugh together, we feel our special bond growing inside us and outside us to one another. I suspect we all know you sit in our little story circles urging us on, giving us more love to share.

Tickle us,
O God,
keep us
laughing and loving,
I pray.
You are God;
there is none
like you.
Our hearts
are full
of gratitude
to you.

Love, Andrea