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Friday, April 6, 2012

Today's Post is Brought to you by the Letter F

Today's post is brought to you by the letter F.  Falling behind.  Already.  I confess I have been posting the day before and publishing before I leave for work in the morning but only because I wanted it to be available for reading during the day and not when I get home from work.  It gets more "shelf" time this way.  However today is Friday and because I work Four tens I am sitting here in my Flannel shirt and Fleece sweat pants.  The dogs have been Fed and the coffee is Fantastic.  Coffee always tastes better when your not at work.  So what the Freak is up?  I suppose you think I don't have a post for the letter F today huh?  You would be right, I just keep typing (buying time until the coffee kicks in) and eventually something of worth may come across the screen.  I have been enjoying all the blogs and have been to at least 50 of the 1400 or so.  It is a tall order to try and hit every one.  I'll keep trying.

Have I told you the story about the brown and green Easter eggs?  Well then I suppose it's time.
In an effort to keep this post manageable I will give you the Jeff's Notes version. (Cliff has no idea about my life and frankly that guy is a know it all).

Mom was an alcoholic and a drug addict.  She managed (through our unwavering and always justifiable court system) to keep custody of us after her and my Father became divorced.  The battles raged of course but if I remember the story right she had told the court that my father was abusing us and that while she was away at rehab my Father should not be awarded custody.  Something along the lines of that.  I mean I was like 5 or 6.  So we were sent away to a different home for awhile.  My brother and I that is.
A very confusing time and did I mention it was Easter?  So this time of year always brings back a bit of memories.

It was a very nice place, a wonderful older couple with no children of their own.  A small farm in fact.  They had horses and chickens, a large red barn and my brother and I would take turns pulling each other around on one of the horse racing buggies.
We were only a few days into our stay when Easter Sunday arrived.
At breakfast the woman (I do not remember her name) asked us if we wanted to collect eggs from the chicken coop that morning.  We nodded our heads so vigorously that the marbles inside our heads could have been heard in the adjoining room.  Giddy with anticipation we scarfed down our breakfast and with the pancake syrup still dripping from our cheeks scrambled outside for our first foray into the unknown world of barnyard animals.
As the woman caught up with us she handed us each a basket, a twinkle in her eye and a half smile she ushered us into the coop.  She explained how to reach into each of the squares and feel for an egg.
We did and what we brought out was extraordinary.  Eggs!  Blue ones and green ones and brown ones!
Awestruck we looked to her for an explanation.  She explained that God made certain chickens special so that little boys like us would have colored eggs on Easter.  Of course we bought it and only in my adult life did I realize that chickens do indeed lay colored eggs based on breed but that day, that one special day, I believe that those eggs were colored just for us so would have an Easter treat.  So now you know the story of the blue/green/brown eggs and my little tribute to...................................
Foster Homes



8 comments:

  1. What an amazing story! You should write a book about your life. It would be a book I'd definitely buy and share with my friends. I'm sorry about what your mother did. It's plain lousy what some people put their kids through. My old two kids have no idea who their father is and that's his fault - not mine.

    However you got a wonderful story to pass on. Sounds like they were wonderful Foster Parents.

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    1. Thanks Danielle, I wouldn't have it any other way. I've been thinking about my life story but it would be very tough to write.

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  2. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy reading your posts. I am sorry you had to deal with that as a child. My sister is doing the same thing to her children now and it's heartbreaking. Also, I love the Tigers stadium and will try to make it up there again this year. I love when the tigers eyes light up! Great A-Z posting!

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    1. Thanks ejw,
      It happens all the time unfortunately. The tigers are gonna be greeeeaaat this year!

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  3. Hi Bushman - as per the norm - a tale well told. You are a natural born storyteller. I find myself getting my coffee topped up before sitting down to enjoy your blog.

    What I get, from coming by, often, is that no matter what kind of mother you had you turned out to be a Fantastic Fellow.

    As to the eggs...I always wondered if farmers fed some of their chickens food colouring...now I know better!

    Jenny @ Pearson Report
    Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

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    1. Thanks so much Jenny,
      Couldn't ask for a better commenter! Means a lot to me!

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  4. Another great story and another great post! Thanks for sharing! You're doing an awesome job! Keep it up!

    Dusty

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  5. I agree with everyone here. You've had an amazing life and your perspective is also amazing.

    A memoir would be appropriate, I think. I would read it.

    A-Z @ Elizabeth Twist

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