Traveling the Rock Road

As a child there were a couple of times that I was separated from my mom. As a single mother it was hard for her to find work that would support us while at the same time meeting all the needs that a young child has. So on occasion I would find myself staying with extended family members until mom got on her feet and could come get me.

During one period of time, I was sent to live with relatives in Eastern Kentucky. This was a family of six who were nice, but very strict in everything I did. I had never heard of the term corporal punishment back then, but I learned what it was all about if I stepped out of line; and I sure missed my mom. I would think about how we would sit on the couch and play or just hug. As I said these folks were nice but emotions were something they didn’t show or share often. If I got hurt there was no compassion especially if I cried. It was more like “shake it off, it’ll get better so stop crying,” and I sure missed my mom.

Often I would ask about her and when she was coming back for me, but I would be ignored as if I didn’t say anything, and I began to think, maybe she isn’t coming back for me.

One day a large box showed up and inside was filled with toys, games and clothes and it was all for me. I didn’t understand why I receiving this, but I thanked the parents for the gifts, only to have them say it wasn’t from them. I thought a while about it and then asked, “Did my mom get these for me?” Again I didn’t receive an answer, but this time they both looked at me hard, and something told me I hit the nail on the head. Until that box fell apart, I would climb inside of it with one of my new toys and say to myself, “Mom’s coming for me, mom’s coming for me.”

The day came when my Great Aunt Pearl came to visit and spent the better part of a night talking with the parents. The next day there was some sadness in these people and they even gave me hugs right before Pearl and I boarded the bus to leave. “Pearl, where are we going?” With a smile she answered, “I’m taking you home.” I didn’t know what that meant, by that point in my life I had lived in Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. Where was this place we were going and how would I recognize it as home? That answer came when the bus came to a stop, the door opened, and there was mom waiting to greet me. I can’t tell you if I even understood where I was, but that didn’t matter. All that did was mom was there waiting on me, that in itself said, I was home.

I learned that the box sent to me wasn’t really a big mystery; yes it had come from mom but the reason it was sent was because it was Christmas time and she wanted me to have something to know she was still there and stilled loved me. The people I lived with didn’t celebrate Christmas so they made no mention of it. Also it was their plan to keep me and not let me return to mom, but that’s another story for another time. Perhaps as time went on, they thought I would forget about my mom and stop asking about her, but can anyone really separate someone else from their parent, from their first love?

Some 2,000 years ago a Gift was sent to children from their Father letting them know He had not forgotten them; that His love was still there for them. That Gift was in the form of a Child.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

These many years later, I can’t recall its content, but I still think about that box of love that was sent to me as a symbol to let me know I wasn’t forgotten, and I would someday be home with the one who loved me most.

Many more years ago a manager with a baby was the eternal representation of the same thing, the same love. That God the Father hadn’t forgotten us, and waits in jubilation for the time when we are with Him, and Home!

On behalf of my Lady and myself I like to thank all who have “Traveled the Rock Road” with us this year, and we look forward to more journeys in the coming year.

A very Merry and Blessed Christmas and New Year to you and your loved ones!!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”