Rabbithole ripples…

bunnyI need to believe at least six
impossible things before breakfast
…..to keep on believing
as if fresh buckets of stars
poured out and melting
through heaven’s floor
poke peepholes into possibility.Closing my eyes, I let my mind
drift back to that long ago time
when I parked my bike
and stumbled through the heavy
doors of Hickory Farms,
like Alice falling down the rabbithole into Wonderland.

My pockets were empty; We’d been hunting for used glass bottles to exchange for dimes,
dimes to purchase candy at the neighborhood drugstore.
Pickings had been slim and my pockets were quiet
…none of the hopeful jangling that made me feel like the proud bearer of choices.
My childhood friend and I hoped we might find two spare bottles in their trash,
and so went in to investigate.

Once inside, I went breathless with wonder.
It was a visual symphony,
rows and stacks of treasures in brightly colored tins,
boxes and baskets tied with rich velvety bows and crinkly paper in every shade of plenty.

It was spectacular
….plates of creamy cheeses,
wafer-thin slices of spicy sausages,
salty nuts,
crackers shaped like snowflakes and diamonds,
crisp ginger cookies
and even pretty plates of strawberry candies wrapped in shiny red foil.

The magic was, they were “samples”.
I was SUPPOSED to take and eat!
With toothpicks wearing festive party hats.
Just walk right up and have one.
Really…….a smiling lady offered!
Just receive.
My mind REELED!

But my favorite (yes, there was more),
likefinding my own private cave of treasure,
was the courtesy coffee table tucked away in the back of the store.
Beside the pungent smelling brew was a gorgeous crystal dish
(the work of fairies, I was certain)
full of snow white cubes made of sparkly sugar.
It’s true…..little sugary blocks.

I still remember the trembly sweetness that rushed through my system
to a creshendo and then shudder as I crunched
the first little wonder.
Like a chipmunk in the Fall I left the store,
with pockets scrunchy with a few for later.

When I swung back through those wooden doors
into the real world of dirty glass bottles and dimes
I was changed.

I still believed in hard work and honest wages.
But there was something more
….a new groove carved into my thinking.
And now I need to remember.
Sometimes,
even when you can’t possibly earn it,
when your own hands aren’t enough,
grace is given.
Inexplicably and unexpectedly, provision can come,
wrapped in more
than you can ask or imagine.
In a twinkle in time, it can happen.
Remember?
Nothing is impossible.
Nothing.

 

15 Comments

  1. LeeAnn on September 9, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    Oh I love it! "nothing is impossible. Nothing!" Yay!!!! "Sometimes when you can't possibly earn it, when your own hands aren't enough, Grace is given." You inspire me so Jennifer. I needed that today. Thank you!

  2. Sharron Leaf on September 9, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    Sparkly sugar cubes! I have a bowl of them in my Bistro.
    Please come over and I'll give you a free sample; I'll even have one, maybe two. We all need a little grace.

  3. Nancy on September 9, 2010 at 10:28 pm

    My excitement rallies to a pitch as I read your words….my eyes tumble over the words wishing they could all be read at once but then I remember that to savor each one is where I find the nuggets of gold….so I relax and sure enough the words spill over and under my thoughts and indeed once again you have delivered a precious nugget and I smile and agree yes, "when your own hands aren't enough, Grace is given"…..

    You're a jewel, dear Jennifer…

    Hugs

  4. S. Etole on September 9, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    This is splendid … your words are always such invitation.

  5. Marilyn on September 9, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    Such a beautiful piece, I love everything about it. I must remember your words in hard times
    "Inexplicably and unexpectedly, provision can come,
    wrapped in more
    than you can ask or imagine."
    Thank you.

  6. maribeth on September 10, 2010 at 12:50 am

    Reading your blog feels like a tumble into Wonderland. You are the undiscovered "treasure", and your writing. But not for long…

  7. rachel awes on September 10, 2010 at 1:25 am

    oh jennifer,
    in a twinkle in time,
    YOU came to be,
    & see the world
    through eyes
    that are as beautiful
    as your dear bunny art,
    & write as yummily
    as magical sugar cubes,
    & love as fully
    as a chipmonk's cheek.
    i thank God for you.
    let's remember this together
    that nothing is impossible.
    i can't wait to see
    all the wonders
    your fairies
    will continue to do
    in your sweet life.
    xoxox

  8. PaperPumpkin on September 10, 2010 at 2:59 am

    NOTHING is impossible. I do believe that. May your wishes come true and your "almost" impossible…happen…soon. Thank you for sharing your incredible poetry and writing and words of deep honesty. I love your mind and your memories! Wishing you happiness and peace in abundance, Jennifer! Love, Kathy♥

  9. Just Be Real on September 10, 2010 at 8:35 am

    Oh Jen what a delight. Your words your stories have such a meaning and makes me pause to think. Thank you dear for sharing your talent with us all. Blessings.

  10. Mary on September 10, 2010 at 10:45 am

    A little taste of heaven I think!!
    I am waiting for your book, so I can savor your words over and over again!!!

    Jennifer, you are becoming my favorite writer!!

  11. Bren on September 10, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    I'm with Mary, into the book it goes! What a powerful story of Grace, love it, love the truth of it, love His Grace, always…

  12. Hindsfeet on September 10, 2010 at 12:44 pm

    Oh Jennifer….Jennifer….this is your masterpiece……my jaw dropped at the end and my eyes are still welled up……..What a timely beautiful incredible creation……

    Thank you with all my heart,
    Liz

  13. Dancing Brush by Cheri on September 11, 2010 at 4:30 am

    Oh….. how you can sweep me into the past, back to present, into the future with your "ripples". I just thank the Lord I have found your absolutely wonderful blog. It is also "possible" to find great friends out here in this huge, massive place of cyberworld that are fantastically gifted. And, yes, it might have been the fairies that directed me to your blog, but I prefer believing that it was an extra measure of grace sent my way (laugh)! Thanks so much for this post.

  14. Relyn on September 11, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    How is it that your delightful memory can reduce me to tears? I know the answer. Of course I do. It's your heart. Your beautiful, shiny, hopeful heart that comes through with every word you pen.

  15. Erin Butson on September 12, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    I needed that today. Thank you:) absolutely perfect.

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