Traveling the Rock Road

We recently went to see our community theater’s production of “Our Town,” a play set at the start of the 20^th century about a fictitious town and the residents that lived there. It chronicles the lives of two youngsters, George Gibb and Emily Webb. In the 1st act we see them as children living next door to each other. In the 2nd act, they are young adults who fall in love and marry. Tragically, in the 3rd act, young Emily dies during childbirth. There’s much more to the story but I don’t want to give it away in case you get the chance to see it someday. Actually, this was the 2^nd time I had seen this performance.

Back in school days, before the love of my life came on the scene, I was smitten by a short little cutie that had been in one of my classes. She was a happy sort whose smile could melt the coldest heart and make you happy just to be in her presence. I felt very lucky that a girl like her would give a guy like me even a look. I was the complete opposite; dark in attitude, sulky, and not overly kind during that stage of life. But being with her brought me happiness and that’s all that counted. That is, until the day she told me our relationship needed to end. I was devastated and even more, angry. How could she do that to me? Didn’t she know how much she meant to me? I took a hard line toward her; she who possessed a tad more maturity than I did (Okay, a truckload more!) took more of a friendly approach to our breaking up. She would speak but I would just give short glib responses. On one occasion she told about getting the lead in the school play, “Our Town.” Telling her that was nice and wishing her well, I walked on giving her the impression there was no way in the world I was going to come see it. As far as she knew I didn’t, since she couldn’t see me sitting toward the back of the auditorium. When I left my thought was, “Well, she’s a good actress.” It was a bit hard for my feeble mind to follow with being few props on the stage, but she and the rest of the actors really brought the play to life and I must say I enjoyed it. I thought about telling her she did a great job, but deciding to leave well enough alone, I didn’t. Except for a couple brief run-ins, I never saw her again, although I have wondered about how she’s doing as the years have dragged on.

Now, some 45 years later I’m taking in the play once again. With a better attitude along with a few more brain cells activated than previous days, I thoroughly enjoyed and understood the production better. A thought occurred to me. Perhaps my childhood crush was trying to get me to see her in a way I never had before. I enjoyed having her around for the way she made me feel, but truthfully, I couldn’t remember when I did the same for her. The heart, sensitivity, talents, likes and dislikes that made her who she was totally escaped me. All because I was too wrapped up in my own wants and desires. I missed the pure beauty of this amazing gal.

I came across this quote; “Never take someone for granted, hold every person close to your Heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you’ve lost a diamond while you were busy collecting stones.”

I’ve told young men including my sons don’t just look to how a young lady makes you feel, remember to take in to consideration how she feels; in other words, if she makes you feel special then you make her feel the same way. It’s saddened to see how many marriages have failed because the man didn’t pursue the needs of his wife.

In the Christian life, many of us do the same thing to the One we call Lord. He loved us so much that He gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might be with Him in heaven someday. We often shirk time spent with God in prayer, reading of the Word, and doing things to show how we love Him.

Romans 6:1-2, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

God’s love for each of us is so strong, shouldn’t we do our best to give back love the best we can.

As mentioned, I haven’t seen this cute little “Traveler of the Rock Road” since those youthful days, but I did hear she found someone who appreciated her and like myself has had a long and wonderful marriage. That in itself makes my heart glad. And I suppose that if I ever did see her again, I would apologize for being a jerk and for not seeing how special she was. Perhaps I also need to thank her for planting a small seed in me that helped in loving the Lady God blessed me with the way I should.

Even if the moment never comes.

Thank you, Miss Emily.

See ya next time.