2001-07-02 - 22:04 MDT

THE WONDERING JEW

Mercy Place

Once there was a place, a sheltered, shaded place, an airy and comfortable spot and private to us alone. Heather and I spent many, many pleasurable hours there.

By the back deck at the fence line were some small trees and large bushes, with brick paving between there and the deck. When we moved in there, I started pruning branches and limbs to make a shaded space under the trees and bushes.

When summer came, we put a pair of our lawn chairs and a small table under the carved greenery. By the back fence was a huge old Chinese Elm which shaded the back yard and Our spot in the mornings and a big bush out front tempered the late afternoon sun. The slightest breeze cooled us, we were truly sheltered by our self made canopy and surrounding leaf bearing woods.

In the summer, gallons of coffee, iced tea, Pepsi and other drinks were highly enjoyed out there and many sandwiches were murdered too.

It was so pleasant and quiet there, peaceful, utterly peaceful. Heather and I would sit there sometimes in loving silence, no words passing - with contentment in the air around us. Sometimes good conversation took place and reminiscenses would be brought forth and lovingly caressed and put back in their cases to be looked at once again at our pleasure.

When the need for cooperative thought arose in nice weather, we thunk it there. We hashed out problems, mutually worried and sympathized with each other and generally under the influence of sheltering leaves we arrived at much better plans and comforts than anywhere else.

A family cookout was always wrapped around that spot. Barbeque was toward the front, the back deck with its chairs and tables were used by the sun worshippers, the kitchen with its fridge full of cold stuff just inside the door.

Of course in cold weather the scene of operations was in the warm house, but early on wearing sweaters we would be holding forth out there.

We mutually suffered together when something was wrong with friends or family and we could't be there to help any of them. Prayers were offered up, wishes were made and also trying to think of ways to help, took place.

We would love to be there now to comfort each other. Whatever came up, good or bad, it was better out there in our Mercy Place . . . . . .

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