Don’t Make Me Say It

Don't get me wrong, this thing isn't always petunias and soap bars. This thing can be hard as nails. Sometimes, it causes the greatest pain you'll ever feel. Even so, it's a pain worth feeling. Don't ask me why. I don't know.

It’s too big to write about. But, I’m not going to let that stop me. That’s because it’s a pretty big thing I’m referring to. The biggest.

Jaden owes his very life to this thing.

Jaden was an abandoned infant born with crack-cocaine in his bloodstream. After his mother’s arrest, he was adopted by Claire—sixty-eight-year-old single woman who heard about his situation through a friend.

Claire said, “I know I ain’t got forty years to give’im like some young couples, but I’m a good mama, he can have every year I got left.”

Consequently, this “big thing” is the same thing that killed Bob Cassidy.

First, it compelled Cassidy to pull over on Highway 10 to change a woman’s tire. A car struck him. It killed him on impact.

I know what you’re thinking, “What a senseless tragedy.” It wasn’t senseless. All thanks to this thing we’re talking about.

This thing also prompted Betty to adopt three rescue dogs from a kill-shelter. She brought them home and turned them loose on her twenty-acre farm.

“That’s when it hit me,” she said. “I knew had enough room for lots’a dogs.”

So she drove back and adopted several more. Then a few more. Soon, the shelter started giving them to her.

Folks thought Betty was nuts. But she’s not. She only looks that way to people who don’t know about this thing—which often makes normal folks look like their a few bricks short of a load.

Don’t get me wrong, this thing isn’t always petunias and soap bars. This thing can be hard as nails. Sometimes, it causes the greatest pain you’ll ever feel. Even so, it’s a pain worth feeling. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know.

Something I do know:

this stuff is the fabric the universe. It’s the only real thing out there. It’s what makes average people sparkle, and ugly skies look pretty. It gives purpose to death. It brings mamas and daddies together, and makes memories immortal.

The evening news claims it’s difficult to find. They’re wrong. It’s everywhere, even in that breath you just took. It’s in biscuits for crying out loud.

No religion owns it, no government can control it, and it will never be for sale. It’s older than you are. It will outlive your children’s children’s children’s children. It will line the pockets of poor folks, and turn hell-raisers into deacons.

It will move mountain ranges, stop divorces, pay your car insurance, deliver your baby, and it saved a wretch like me. I’m going to write about it until they lay me down.

I don’t care what you name it.

Jaden calls it love.

11 comments

  1. Cherryl Shiver - January 2, 2017 5:46 pm

    My Momma always said it was what made the world go round. They even wrote a song about it. A few times in my life, maybe when I was 16 0r 17 I thought it might be the death of me,…..but then a new one came along……..I do know this, there is nothing like it.

    Reply
  2. sherry k. - January 3, 2017 5:42 pm

    this wasn’t here when I looked yesterday. after I read your New Year post…where you said you write every day…I looked for this “missed” one. so glad.
    Happy New Year.

    Reply
  3. Mary Ellen Hall - January 4, 2017 2:52 am

    BEAUTIFUL SEAN!! I look SO FORWARD to reading your posts each day-THANK YOU!!

    Reply
  4. Karin Smith - January 13, 2017 4:27 pm

    I needed to read this today. I’m feeling so awful about so many things. But yes, love. Love is the fabric if the universe. I forgot for a minute.

    Reply
  5. Sara See - January 13, 2017 6:09 pm

    Love is also…writing about the things that are too big to write about, because someone, somewhere might need a little dose of hope.

    Reply
    • Marilyn Fuller - February 8, 2017 3:44 pm

      Great way to put it, Sara See! I can’t wait to read his articles everyday!!!

      Reply
  6. Dot Wells - January 14, 2017 12:10 am

    How can I get your books? You make me smile and/or cry everyday. I just discovered you but Lawd I love your writing!!

    Reply
    • Patricia Hartzog - January 14, 2017 5:36 am

      Dot Wells, his books are on Amazon. I have bought them all, twice & use them as Christma,B’Day, & thank-you presents.

      Reply
  7. Cindy - February 8, 2017 2:39 pm

    In a world that seems to have gone mad…I’m so grateful for your writing. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Kathy G Lindsay - February 8, 2017 2:54 pm

    Love is all you need.

    Reply
  9. Sam Seetin - February 9, 2017 1:51 am

    That’s a non-directional tactical tire pictured…can’t really tell from tracks whether the vehicle is coming or going. Love is like that. It refreshing to know there are blessed artists out there who can write kinda like the tire leaving non-directional tracks revealing what loving souls do without anyone watching from any direction.

    Reply

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