An hour on facebook is my emotional connection for the day.
I am grieving with three friends who lost loved ones
and are in need of God’s comfort.
I am laughing at posts by my kids and friends and “auld acquaintances.”
I am sharing a worthwhile article by any of the above to any of the above,
and just as I was enriched, so are they.
I’m connecting a bit of useful news or advice from one to another.
For now, I’m skipping the angry political rhetoric and nasty remarks.
I’m sharing photos and life events, knowing that many who read them really care.
It’s not a wasted hour.
It’s a stop at the old general store to pick up my mail
and shoot the breeze with whoever stops in.
Sharon Bratcher, sharoncopy.com
“The Legend of the Clothes Chute” (or “The Chamber of No Return”)
by Sharon Lynn Osborne Bratcher, 7-24-73
“Tis a cold and dark and lonesome place, although it’s often filled
With remnants of our memories, with good things that have spilled
Out upon these remnants, making them e’en more a curious lot;
And the legend that goes with this curious place itself can ne’er be forgot.
‘Twas a Sunday Eve when I came home late, and entering near to its door,
I sent a garment of heartfelt worth plunging down into its core.
‘Twas a Saturday noon and a month gone by when the strangest fact I learned:
The garment I so lovingly put in somehow had never returned!
On a Monday morning I rushed about, and straightened my brother’s room.
All I gathered there I took to the place, and threw down in its chamber of gloom.
On Friday morning I heard his voice thunder out in rage and in fear!
For the socks and the shirts and everything else had somehow disappeared.
‘Twas then we decided to start a search, and we looked for the clothes everywhere;
From top floor to basement and even the garage, but they were to be found nowhere.
So we gave up our quest, and did without, but we trembled each time we neared
That treacherous and embezzling place, that mysterious chamber we feared!
Then suddenly, after months had passed, my beloved garment which had fled
Was back! And his clothes showed up too (in weird places, like under the bed.)
Our confidence began to return, and we agreed no longer to deplore
This mysterious “chamber of no return;” And then – it happened once more!
Yes, ’tis a cold and dark and lonesome place though filled with precious stuff;
And the legend that goes with it is mystifying enough.
‘Tis a crazy tale, but if you look hard there may be some lessons to learn.
‘Til then, be cautious – even more – BEWARE! Of the “Chamber of No Return.”
I can’t remember what year I wrote this, but it must have been when David was about 10 or 11 and Julie was, of course, 22 months younger. I wrote it just about them, and also for my sister Cathy and her son and daughter and any other parents of a son and daughter – some in my Mothers of Twins Club too.
Sometimes I Can’t Believe It
By Sharon L. Bratcher
Sometimes I can’t believe it when I hug this strong young man
Whose head comes just below my chin– I just can’t comprehend
Some years ago I kissed the top of his soft, warm, fuzzy head
But instead of standing on his feet, he was in my arms instead
Sometimes I can’t believe it as I brush her long, long hair
And see her smile- just inches from mine – I’m surprised and yet aware
Some years ago I snapped a bow in her fine strands, inches long
I held her up and prayed that today she’d be healthy, lovely, strong
Sometimes I can’t believe it – how they’ve grown and changed so fast
I’ve a million mental pictures – instant link-up with the past
I’m so thankful to the Lord for these two big kids with me
Sometimes I can’t believe it, they’ve grown up so rapidly.
Like I said before, the church split defined our life, partly because my husband and I were on opposite sides when it came to convictions. It was a very difficult time, especially the first few years. This was written in August 1985.
Trapped
By Sharon L. Bratcher
I’m trapped, not free
And can I be me?
Our resources tapped
Past contacts snapped
Music all changed
Life rearranged.
Neatly, like they.
What can I say?
I have no choice
So why raise my voice?
Sometimes I’m glad.
Today I am sad.
I am afraid
Of changes to be made.
I must consent,
He won’t relent.
Maybe that’s good –
Follow as I should.
Is it the truth- does he know?
I surely hope so.
Written in 1985 after the previously mentioned church split.
Lost Friendships
By Sharon L. Bratcher
Since He was sinless,
My case is not the same.
And yet,
I knonw now
The pain of rejection.
It hurts for a friend
To no longer be one.
How strong the sting must have been
In His heart
When, alone,
He bore their cross
And they did not even watch.
It’s hard to imagine —
God feeling humiliation,
Loack of love, and misunderstanding.
Yet now I know
Just a little bit
Of what it was like.
Davy – at 13 months
By Sharon L. Bratcher
Sandy-haired, sly smiler
Happy-laugher, constant mover
“Daddy”-caller, stair-climber
Cracker-stuffer, milk lover.
Fast walker, treasure-grabber
Book reader, bye-bye waver
Toy-toter, monkey-hugger
Sleepy sweetheart, joy-giver.
I wrote this during my freshman year of college (age 18) about the disputes that were threatening to tear apart our awesome youth group at church. 11-27-72.
Love or Strife?
By Sharon L. Bratcher
There is nothing worse in a Christian’s life
Than disputing, arguing, discussion and strift.
It’s the devil’s work that brings it to pass,
And it has to do with temporal things, that won’t last.
The silly, unimportant items grow in worth,
While the doctrines in the Bible never give birth
To healthy discussion, that makes the Christians grow;
So, all wrapped up in “little things” the Christians never know
The real joy and peace and probelm-solving found in God’s Holy Word.
The disputing has been so predominant that the real issues are slurred
So that issues, feelings, or money problems seem to prevail,
Instead of Christian love and understanding, which should never fail.
To dispute is just to backslide and to continually argue – to fall.
How much better to read and practice God’s Word, and on His name to call!
I wrote this in November 1979 when I was teaching English Composition and Literature to adults at Manna Bible Institute in Philadelphia. This was written to a particular student who whined about his work. Not sure it was delivered, though. 🙂
Take It Like A Man
By Sharon L. Bratcher
You didn’t meet your assignment.
You say that I don’t understand.
But there are standards to be kept.
Don’t complain, take it like a man.
You promised me three late papers.
Three deadlines passed – now you can
Take the appropriate judgement.
Don’t complain–take it like a man.
I care about you and love you.
Without standards, you would not gain.
Fulfill your responsibilities!
Take it like a man – do not complain!
[Phil. 2:14 – “[Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”]
I wrote this on 12/27/84 when Julie was about 21 months old and David was 3 and a half.
Julie
By Sharon L. Bratcher
My charmer, delightful, gets sweeter each day
Her movements amuse me, her eyes spark with play
“You may think I’m one, and a few months more,
But I’m certain, like David, I’m going on four.”
Amazing, how love grows, I thought mine was done
But the feeling seems stronger than when she turned one.
“Let ME set the table, I’ll help stir the cake.”
“I went potty! No naptime if David’s awake.”
Oh, how I do lover her, to hug her’s pure joy.
She’s pretty, she’s happy, she’s giggly, she’s coy.
“I many not speak words, but you know what I say.”
When she enters the room, sunlight enters my day.”
I wrote this in 1980 about relationships with various people I had known.
Once I Have Loved
By Sharon L. Bratcher
When into my being a deep love grows,
It is rooted, firmly to stay
With sequoia-like roots in my heart;
Once I have loved, love does not go away.
The color or classification may
Change, all according to care.
No death, once already blossomed.
Once I have loved, love will always be there.
Students and friends from so many years back–
All, prayers of my life in their day–
Upon fond rememberance are loved, for
Once I have loved, love will not go away.
sharoncopydotcom 