Another Blow to Troop 975

Friday, March 10, 2006

[6:48am] Over white tea for breakfast that morning, a rosy sunrise hit the deck of the skies. Collette would have been able to tell that the sun was out long before she checked out the window, as the radio announcer was chipper and had no complaints. Instead he chuckled over relating the story of a chandelier which had crashed onto the floor of an opera house after the performance of a symphony, which was then titled “The Miracle Symphony” or some such thing similar to that. Yes, the radio announcer was in a good mood that morning.

[10:44am] Friday began with news from Joe that two kids from the Boy Scouts were in hot water. After wreaking $40,000 worth of vandalism damage, both were facing the possibility of some deep punishments to fit their crime. It was a sad thing – Troop 975 had experienced their fair share of grief over the years…

On a good note, however, Grandma had volunteered to purchase Rose’s camera, which she had been coveting for a good while. Grandmas and their treats – there was never an end of them – like an everlasting box of chocolates, and each one filled with something new and yummy. Grandma’s gift to Collette had been her violin – the unusual redish-gold violin – which OLeif still played every Sunday at church, with the star cut-out on the scroll.

Meanwhile, Thursday night, OLeif and Collette went by the store to find Lucia a birthday card which turned out to be a Saint Patrick’s Day card, which included a big attached pin-on button saying: “Kiss me, I’m Irish.” Inside it said something to the effect of:

“And kiss me tomorrow because I’m cute,

And the day after that because I’m adorable,

And the day after that…”

It was so very Lucia. And along the way, Collette found a pair of earrings for Rose – huge green shamrocks cut out of thick foam, which said on each: “Happy Shamrock Day.” They almost engulfed her face when put together.

“Help me…

to be concerned for the salvation of others.

O God, I cannot endure to see the destruction

of my kindred.

Let not those of my family who are amiable, moral,

attractive,

fall short of heaven at last…

but bring forth judgment into victory

in all whom I love.”

– from “The Family” Puritan Prayers, Valley of Vision