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Shirley
SHIRLEY'S SHORT STORIES











LOVING THE LOVABLE....

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, God tells us to comfort the feeble minded. I am
reminded of Jim Basey, who, in 1936, came to live with us on my grandparents
farm in Piketon, Ohio. I was six years old: Jim was forty, looked sixty, acted ten.

Jim was retarded. He wasn't sent to the 'crazy farm', because ole Jim was used
as a 'workhorse' in our neighbor's fields. Grandma became furious, rescued
and brought Jim home to live with us.

There were five of us children. Because Jim's mental span never developed
beyond a ten year old, he was contented to be just 'one of the gang'. We loved
to play church. Jim always insisted HE be the preacher, so when he preached
from his 'upside-down Bible' (the dictionary), we yelled our 'amens' while aiming
our popcorn at his loud 'hallelujahs'. When it was our turn to preach,
and Jim to aim the popcorn, he would run to 'mom', as he called grandma,
protesting that it wasn't fair! He wanted to be the preacher!
Somehow, we couldn't make Jim understand that it was just as much fun being
on the 'giving it' end, as well as the 'receiving it' end.

We loved Jim. He became part of our family, and we gave Jim what he gave us:
love, tenderness, happiness, and respect. I can't recall what happened to Jim
after I left the farm.  Heresy says, that in 1948, 'death' became impatient,
and claimed Jim for a 'rose' in God's bouquet.

Although, retardation is a permanent handicap, nevertheless,
this handicap CAN be responded to and nourished with love.
In Fields Of Clover...
On The Farm
Happy on the farm...
Coffee in the A.M....
Honored...
SHORT STORY IN RHYME





THE LOVER'S GARDEN

I WROTE THIS WHEN ONLY 13 YEARS OLD. I
REMEMBER SEEING A MOVIE OF TWO LOVERS
WHO DIED....I HOPE I CAN MAKE YOU FEEL WHAT I
SAW. IS THIS ONLY MAKE-BELIEVE LOVE..
OR IS THERE LOVE LIKE THIS
STILL IN THE WORLD??

RECALLED MEMORIES
As I walk thru the garden by flowers so rare,
I remember the wind as it blew thru your hair.
I think of your voice so tender and sweet,
And I wonder if again today, we shall meet.
I remember the touch of your hand on the rose...
While placing it in your hair, I recall your pose.
I saw the smile on your tender sweet lips
As I gently and gracefully kissed your fingertips.

Remember, my darling, when I said, "I love you"?
You smiled and whispered, "I love you, too."
And remember beneath the orange blossom tree
When God decided He must take you from me?
You slowly and gently lowered your head,
And with lips that were trembling, you said,
"Oh! My darling, I'm sorry, but this has to be.
God's calling, my loved one, He's calling for me.

But I'll be always in this garden so rare.
Come not only, my dear, when the weather's fair.
Come my beloved when you're lonesome, too.
I'll be waiting here in our garden for you.
Goodbye, my dearest, for now I must go.
But there's one thing, dear, you must know.
..Come closer..my love..I'm becoming so weak...
My voice is fading, it's getting so meek..
I..want..you to find happiness with someone new..
Yet..remember our love that has always been true..."

And so..you have gone to a strange land afar.
Still.., when I call you, spirit tho you are..
You come....And I watch you glide down the walk,
And thrill when I hear your voice as we talk.
Now..my eyes are dimming and I no longer can see.
Now..no more, my dear, must you come to me.
My name! I hear you calling..I'm coming today!
Here, take my hand, darling, I'll lead the way.

And now that garden where love once had shown,
Is gone from this earth, from all others unknown.
The flowers have wilted..the trees have disappeared..
But the spirit of the lovers..in the garden..is near.

Written by Shirley Kotsanos


Many have not the time to spend reading a novel, but enjoy the short story.
This is your page. Laugh..sigh..cry..smile...
go ahead, it's your emotion. Enjoy.....
All who have time.....