Congratulations, Eeyore
It’s not hard for me to imagine this blog as the Hundred Acre Wood and the people who leave comments as the characters who live there.
I think Marya would make a great Kanga. Owl would have to be Christopher Key or Morgan. I nominate Doug Hennessee as Christopher Robin. There are so many of you who leave your words or send email.There are Piglets and Rabbits and Gophers, Tiggers and even some Heffalumps and the occasional Woozle.
My dear friend Hugh would be Roo. Like the real Roo, he goes missing sometimes, and I always hope he will come back.
Who am I? I don’t know. Maybe I’m Pooh. Or maybe I’m A.A. Milne, a little lonely and trying to write down the goodness that is always growing up and slipping away.
I do know that Eeyore would have to be Chuck Nolan.
Chuck left his first comment back on January 20th, when I wrote this:
What I want – no - what I NEED is for someone to love me not for my achievements, but for that certain, little cute “something” I add to the world.
Chuck left this comment:
You are loved because of that "little, cute, something you add to this world"? Some of us add nothing to this world. What hope is there for that?
Thanks for trying.
Chuck Nolan
Yikes. Doug H. and I had an email conversation on that day about Chuck. We were both a little worried about him. In time I came to understand that was just Chuck’s way.
When I asked you to post your favorite movies in the comments, Chuck left the following:
CastAway,
for obvious reasons.
Chuck Nolan
I encourage you to imagine the Disney Eeyore's voice with Chuck's words. Go ahead...
"Thanks for trying"
"For obvious reasons"
Yeah, that’s pretty much how it’s been since Chuck came to the Hundred Acre Wood. He is our Eeyore. He drops by now and again to let us hear his deep and somber voice. You wouldn’t want the Hundred Acre Wood filled only with Poohs and Tiggers, would you?
Chuck also leaves very affirming comments, but there is always a hint of sadness in his writing. He helps me remember that the world isn't really like the Hundred Acre Wood.
Except sometimes the world is very wonderful, even for Eeyore.
I got an email from Chuck a few weeks ago, telling me that he was going to ask a woman to marry him. I was thrilled and told him so. On June 16th, he sent this:
She said YES, Preacher. But it may be some time (months) before we can make it happen. But she said YES. I haven't felt this good in thirty years.
Chuck
Whaddya know? There's a woman out there who sees the cute little something that Chuck adds to our world. She likes his droopy voice and pinned-on tail.
She loves Eeyore. How cool is that?
Sometimes real life is even better than the Hundred Acre Wood. That's why I want to be a Real Live Preacher and not just a writing preacher. That's why I will never be able to post every day. I must leave this computer and go into the world. There are Real Live People out there.
So here’s to you, Chuck. Here’s to you and your bride-to-be. If this really were the Hundred Acre Wood, I would be there at the wedding, grinning in the audience and knocking back a cold one with Doug at the reception. Hugh would lead the music. Marya would offer a prayer. Christopher Key would do the ceremony. We would all be there.
But that's not our world. You and I know each other in a world of words, so I guess words are all I can give you. I know you’re not much into God talk, so I hope you hear this as a gift of love from someone silly enough to talk about God all the time. I pray for people I care about. I can’t help it.
So:
I pray God blesses this marriage. I pray you are better people together than alone. I pray you grow together, even unto old age. I pray you cleave only to her and that the two of you indeed become one flesh.
And yes, silly me prays this love you are experiencing is making your heart tender enough to see the possibility of other loves. I hope one day you are able to see the frayed hem of the robe of the Grand Creator, who planted this crazy little thing called love in our hearts. It is only that hem that drags through our world, but it is enough and perhaps too much.
God bless you Eeyore. Don’t be a stranger. The Hundred Acre Wood isn't the same without you.
Love,
Preacher
Note: Chuck gave me permission to write this and tell everyone about his engagement. I didn’t feel free to give out his email, but you can say congratulations in the comments if you wish.
10:14:38 PM 
|
