THE CAKE

Once upon a time, there was a mother whose children had all grown up. Each one had left home to seek their fortunes and make families of their own. While the mother missed them very much, she was overjoyed to see them happy in their pursuits.

One day, the mother was asked to join her daughter’s birthday celebration, and invited to bring the cake. This was a special honor and delight, to once again be baking the birthday cake for her little girl. Since so many guest were invited, the mother decided to make two beautiful cakes, to be sure there would be enough for all. One cake was iced with vanilla frosting (the girl’s favorite flavor) and the other was iced with chocolate. The mother had fun decorating both cakes with whimsical and colorful designs for the happy occasion.

The party was filled with playful activities, good food, laughter and loving friends. That evening, the girl discovered that her guests had eaten from only one of the cakes. When her mother left for home the next morning, her daughter insisted she take the second cake to share with the mother’s friends at home.

It so happened, that a member of the mother’s church, was an old widow woman who had been blind for some years. The kind parish priest had arranged for workers to help the widow woman with her house hold chores and doctor visits and companionship, and a volunteer to help direct her finances. The mother heard that the very day she returned home with the extra cake, was the widow woman’s birthday. She quickly asked the volunteer to take it to the old woman, that she too could celebrate her birthday. So another candle was blown out, and another song was sung.

As fate would have it, that was to be the old woman’s last birthday. Just four weeks later, the widow woman found herself in the hospital with her days coming to an end. When visitors came to see her ,the thing of joy that she would talk about was the beautiful cake baked just for her birthday. She said it had been so long since any one had baked a cake just for her. She felt a special joy, and her weak heart glowed with the warmth from that simple act of love.

Moral: “You never know when your seemingly insignificant deed or remark, may make a big impact on someone else’s life.”

BEVISMS

Handburger:
Actually E’s contribution. She was in 8th grade when she got into a discussion with me over what that delightful round sandwich from McD’s was called. She sensibly pointed out that it was not made of ham…and that it did fit in her hand!

Fassle:
Mom: I’m thinking of a word that starts with ‘f.’
B: I’ve got one, “fassle.”
Mom: Ha ha, “fassle” is not a word!
B: Yes it is! You know, like “fassle up your seat belts.”

The Greeting Card Assignment:
The class was assigned to create a business that you don’t usually see. B’s idea was a greeting card company for unusual occasions. As we were driving to the store, she began proudly telling me about one of her favorites. The front read: “Sorry you got laid”
(I nearly got whip lash when a jerked my head around to give her an astonished look.) Realizing something was off, she began back peddling and stammered….you know…when you’re sorry somebody lost their job!
OFF! Laid OFF! was all I could say.

The Habitat for Humanity:
Just a couple of years ago I read in our community bulletin about the plans for the vacant corner lot at the end of our street. The article said the property was purchased by Habitat for Humanity. B perked up suddenly interested, “so we’re going to get a little zoo down there?!”

The Terminator:
Telling me about a new coworker, B mentioned that the girl’s husband was in the military, and that he had an interesting job…he was a terminator.
Akkk! I’m choking again! My eyes bulge as I look at her and repeat…a…TERMINATOR???
Stealthfully realizing that something was amiss, she begins to describe his job and that he kills the bugs, you know in houses and such.
“EX-terminator!!!” “Exterminator!!!” “Exterminator is what you mean,” I pant.