Let’s journey back to the early 60s when life was vastly different from today. My mom is twenty years older than me, and my dad was 25 years older than her. My dad was business oriented. He was super-serious looking, but very funny. He was quiet and preferred to be alone. Mom, on the other hand, though very funny too, came from a talkative family. She and her sisters could talk all the way between the Bronx and Brooklyn without a phone! They were yap, yap, yap all the time. By the way, my aunt’s two daughters are the same way as are my two daughters, though our girls are more reserved!
When her family visited ours, my dad wasn’t too keen on the visit. They were the type that after knocking on the door and my mom went to greet them with outstretched arms, while her mom hugged her, the others ducked under and headed straight to the kitchen. They raided it like locusts upon crops leaving practically nothing behind! My aunt G., would go straight for the Ritz Crackers and shred them apart. Back then, the crackers didn’t come wrapped in rolls inside a box; they just filled the boxes to the top. She’d talk, eat, laugh, chew, listen, swallow, sing, eat, watch TV, chew, etc. with one hand in the box making sure not to miss a single crumb.
Mind you, Brooklyn apartments were tiny and our kitchen was tight. Forget those new TV shows where kitchens are measured as two or four-butt kitchens with an island, hutches, breakfast nooks, etc. This was the 60s and our kitchen was probably the size of a breakfast nook and ideal for half-a-butt! My grandma and two aunts would sit at the table like statutes carved into it! And they were loud!!! My dad “smoked,” I mean, fumed where smoke made its way up his collar!
If watching TV, they were the type yelling, “OH, MY GOD!!!!! WHAT WAS THAT?? THAT’S UMM, UMM, WHAT’S HER NAME??? NO, THE OTHER ONE! And they slapped you on the back and your popcorn and chips went flying-which they grabbed mid-air and chewed on. And when they laughed, they fell to the floor rolling over. They added drama to any show or movie!
They were known for loving surprises too-the very thing my dad hated! This one time when we opened the door, they said, “SURPRISE!! Guess what?!?” (you’re at the wrong house? We thought and hoped) “We brought you someone!!” Besides my grandma, two aunts, one with her two daughters, and two uncles, they’d brought my other aunt’s husband and two kids as well! What was worse than getting all the aforementioned into the kitchen? Carrying the little ones in there too! That’s the reason my wife decided she can’t have a walk-in kitchen where you’re trapped and cornered if people go in. We have two openings; one being an escape route.
If there was a face for disappointment, my dad had it! Unfortunately, the family was clueless. He once locked himself in his bedroom the entire time and my grandma asked mom, “Is it that he doesn’t feel well?” They never suspected it was their mannerisms and cultural ways. They were being normal…only theirs was a different world!
One Christmas, after everyone had left, I showed my dad a flat box found in his room. He said to me, “If you want a tie, take it!” I said, “How do you know it’s a tie?! He said, “It’s what they always give me!” Skeptically, I opened it and was very surprised to see he was right! I kept it!
Ever been surprised? YEEZE, who hasn’t?! God’s never surprised by anything we say or do. When we make it to heaven-all billions of us, He’s not going to go nuts. He’s anticipating not a visit, but a permanent stay! He won’t go bananas; even if my family shows up-or yours! Though, there might be restrictions!!! NAH!! Everything will be supervised and in order. This time around, my dad and I will be the ones raiding the kitchen! I look forward to Oreos, chocolate ice cream, Chips-ahoy, powder- covered jelly doughnuts, and some cakes! “Oh stop, stop” I’ll say to the angels; stop offering and just leave it there!” Probably, best of all for my dad, kitchens will be larger and there’ll be no more ties to wear!
If you’re unsaved, and your world collides with another’s, remember God’s Kingdom is waiting for you! If you’re a child already, God’s Kingdom is within you (Luke 17:20).
“The Spirit and “the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Revelation 22:17).
God’s knocking on the door of your heart! Answer it and let Him in! He’s got a surprise for you: Eternal Life! Meanwhile, I’ll be “waitin’ for ya” outside the kitchen!
God Bless!
Sam
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