“Verity - the quality or state of being true or real; Balderdash – nonsense.”
Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary
His greatest treasure
Verities & Balderdash
By Bob Robinson
I wish The Old Paths were before us instead of behind us.
This was reportedly written by a retired minister who lives in Tennessee. Regardless, it probably encompasses fleeting thoughts by most of us “old fogies.”
I liked the old paths, when Moms were at home. Dads were at work. Brothers went into the army. And sisters got married before having children!
Crime did not pay; Hard work did; And people knew the difference.
Moms could cook; Dads would work; Children would behave.
Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive; And children were polite.
Women wore the jewelry; And Men wore the pants.
Women looked like ladies; Men looked like gentlemen; And children looked decent.
People loved the truth, And hated a lie.
Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful; Rejoicing sounded normal; And crying sounded sincere.
Cursing was wicked; Drugs were for illness.
The flag was honored; America was beautiful; And God was welcome!
We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school; And preached from house to house.
To be called an American was worth dying for; To be called an American was worth living for; To be called a traitor was a shame!
I still like the old paths the best!
As I grow older I find myself less enthused about being a pet owner, however there is no denying that I love our furry four-legged friends.
Some people love cats and hate dogs. Some love dogs and hate cats. I love both because they have unique individual personalities.
Cats tell you to leave them the heck alone… unless of course they’re hungry or want to play. The only exception I’m aware of is their ability to target on a cat-hater and punish the individual for his or her audacity.
Somehow I find that amusing.
Dogs are truly Man’s Best Friend. Or as in this case, Woman’s…
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character.
Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn them to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amidst all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease… in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her… what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through.
If I die, Lucky will feel abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.
Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary awoke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!
While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.
He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free.
Lucky still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Remember… live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget… the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They are the ones who care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! You will have plenty left over.
Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
Remember, verities should be thought provoking; balderdash is nonsense.
See you next time.
Bob Robinson is the retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to receive a daily notification of his comments, opinions and reports, send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.
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