Mitsy's Life

Marti Eicholz

Description

From very early childhood, Mitsy longs for closeness with others–a free-flowing acceptance, approval, rapport, and respect that ideally should exist in the "perfect family."

Somehow, Mitsy realizes she does not have a "perfect family." She lives a solitary, friendless, and lonely life. Peering out her bedroom window and seeing the hustle and bustle of activity in the town square only heighten her desire to be a part of it all.
Grandmother Fisher starts teaching a very young Mitsy about friendship and what makes a good friend. Mitsy learns that relationships are basic life skills that must be mastered and nurtured.

From age two, Mitsy's life consists of starting, developing, and ending relationships. Some, she is thrown into; others, she chooses. However they develop, relationships are an inescapable part of her life. Mitsy's relationships bring her great joy, deep sorrow, persistent problems, and devastating disappointments.

This book is a collection of Mitsy's stories based on her relationships–grandparents, parents, her first friend, best buddies, colleagues, love interests, and her relationship within.

As you read, try to gain insights into your own relationships. Relish the ideas, memories, and feelings that arise. Connect with your emotions; express your feelings. Heal a wound Forgive a hurt. Share a thought or idea. Savor moments of joy, and revel in your own successes.

Sujets

• Vie de famille
• Parentalité et Éducation des Enfants
• Short Stories
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 19 mai 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456628499
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

Tender Tales of Friendship, Loneliness, Loss, and Love

Marti Eicholz

Copyright 2017 Marti Eicholz, All rights reserved.

Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com http://www.eBookIt.com

ISBN‐13: 978‐1‐4566‐2849‐9

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many people helped prepare this book.

Their real‐life dramas helped shape this narrative and their experiences shine as a beacon of hope and inspiration to others. I thank them for their courage, generosity, and trust.

CONTENTS

These stories are about personal relationships. Your guide, Mitsy, is a lady of many varied personality traits. Each story stands alone. You need not read them in any particular order. Take your time and let Mitsy escort you through her variety of life experiences.

GRANDMA TIME

LOSING A FRIEND

JUST CALL ME “ANDY”

GEMS IN THE WOODLANDS

THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP

SEARCHING FOR SARA

LIFE WITH DAD

A THIRSTY SPIRIT

LOVE IN ACTION

GOOD, BAD, AND LOVELY

AN UNMATCHED MATCH

CHANGE

SEEDS OF GREATNESS

GRANDMA TIME At age three, Mitsy was an explorer, pressing her nose on the windowpane and leaving sticky face and hand prints on the glass. The streets were full of kids playing in the courtyard, laughs and voices echoing in her mind like a dream coming true. She remembered getting her first tooth, so when would she be old enough to have her first friend?

Mitsy lived a sheltered and protected life, a solitary life.

She rested her gaze for hours watching a picture come to life, a small child tossing a ball with his dad, a mom pushing a baby carriage, or someone enjoying an ice cream cone. As Mitsy wiped the window glass clean, she studied intently the woman walking alone and wondered what she was thinking.Was she lonely just like me?Mitsy felt reassured in that others might feel lonely too and that she was not alone. The window gave her an inescapable connection to the outside world, that she was not alone. She realized a window could also make a good hiding place. She often hid in the space by the window, caught between musty curtains and the cold pane of glass, hiding from the noise, the discomfort, the loneliness, and the sadness that often engulfed her.

Her funny escapades, her innocent mischief, her inane talk—everything was a source of immense pleasure to many. Her sentences became questions, and the questions led to her own answers.

She was a natural, prolific, and happy daydreamer, lost in her own thoughts as she explained and organized the things that happened to her by conceiving of stories that paralleled real situations, many of which seemed nothing short of brilliant.

***

It was a sunlit day in early June. The sun was not hot enough to burn; it was just a kiss of the first lick of summer, without the fiery heat. The sky held a soft blue glow and enough pristine white cloud to show how beautiful it was—just perfect. The grass was a soft green with a hint of blue and specks of color from the flowering lavender, roses, and asters. It was a lovely day.

Grandma Fisher, a small woman with pretty silver curls and pink cheeks, was coming for a visit. At three Mitsy, the adventurer, was full of expectancy because this was a fun time, a time to talk, cuddle, and

explore and learn new things as they walked—come rain or shine— around the courtyard and the nearby neighborhood.

Mitsy felt the joy and freedom that encircled Grandma, who was a very good and kind old body. Grandma would take her spectacles from a richly ornamented case and read to Mitsy. She would share a story or some silliness to make her giggle. They had lots of giggles together.

Most of all, Grandma would read stories about Jesus, and Mitsy fell in love with Jesus. She saw him as a good, loving man, and she wanted him for her friend. Grandma told her she could give her heart to Jesus, and she did. Mitsy danced, giggled, and ran around; she was so very happy. She had a friend! And he would be there when Grandma went home. That was comforting. Grandma spent most of her time with Mitsy. This gave Mitsy’s mother, Sara, a break, but Sara and Grandma were not fond of each other.

Sara felt inferior in the kitchen, mainly because Grandma Fisher was a marvelous cook. Mitsy was thrilled when Grandma would be doing the cooking. She watched carefully to learn and someday be a great cook as grandma gave her a big smile and a nod.

The smells from grandma’s homemade cooking always drifted through the air and made everyone’s stomachs growl in anticipation. Only deliciousness flowed out of the kitchen under her discerning eye. Grandma’s chicken was crispy; Sara’s always turned out soggy, just like her fried potatoes. At the familiar smell of grandma’s soft cookies, only one word came to Mitsy’s mind: yummy.

Sara was jealous of Grandma, not only for her cooking abilities, but also because she idolized Paul, Grandma Fisher’s son and Sara’s husband.

Grandma Fisher applauded Paul for his ability to triumph over significant conflicts, mostly by his forceful action. Her Paul resembled a hero in a movie, assuming control of a situation and turning it around against terrific odds. Often that lead character alienates others (temporarily) by their brusque demeanor, only to be vindicated at the end because of positive results. Paul, too, was like the John Wayne cowboy hero. Many family members, especially his mother, associated his behavior with manliness and virility. Others were offended and intimidated by his take‐ charge, in‐your‐face attitude. What some perceived as a frightening

emotional display, others understood as a power pose. To some, Paul’s blunt demands came across as challenges, not as threats.

Grandma Fisher brought Paul gifts, gifts that Sara had no money or opportunity to give. She remembered his thirst for learning and his reverence for books, so she bestowed upon him great reading material. They had much to share and talk about.

Sara isolated herself from these situations to protect herself from the hurt and discomfort. If she only knew that the isolation only made things worse. Grandma sensed she was often an unhappy person, but Grandma continued in her own jolly way. It was a sad time when Mitsy and her dad took Grandma to the train station.

Mitsy was sensitive to noise. Train whistles, sirens, horns, engines growling, and any shrill sounds caused her to run and hide. The whistle and the chugging of the train leaving the depot with grandma made it truly a glum moment. She ran away from the tracks with her hands covering her ears, not wanting to witness the noise and the loneliness that enveloped every part of her being. As she stood in solitude, she thought of her grandmother’s soft humming and singing at the stovetop, a calming moment that she would miss. She slid down the side of the depot into a lump and cried.

Grandma had not been gone many days until Mitsy was looking for happy times. Happy times were when Grandma was around.When is she coming back? I need more books. I will ask Mommy to write her a letter and invite her back.Those were the thoughts running through Mitsy’s mind. Sara was not interested in inviting Grandma back very soon.

***

Mitsy loved the mirror for twirling, dancing, and staring with delight and admiration at the image reflected back to her. She liked calling the image her friend, finding much enjoyment in fantasizing and making up stories with her imaginary friend. She longed for a playmate someone with whom to talk, play, and chuckle—someone to touch.

Mitsy made up stories, talking to herself extensively before falling asleep. Often her talks were to Jesus about sending her a brother or sister. Every night, her bedtime prayers included asking Jesus for a brother or sister. When she was asked to say a prayer before eating, it was always, “Thank you for this food, and don’t forget my little brother or sister. Amen.”

***

Many months later, word came that Grandma was arriving. Oh, happy day! Paul and Mitsy drove to the train depot. The moon was full, the train was on time, and Grandma Fisher stepped onto the platform. Life was good.

It was grandma time! A time chock full of stories, books, hugs, chuckles, and everything nice. Grandma’s suitcase always bulged with books, colored papers, paints, and a new box of crayons. Today, she was also toting an extra‐large shopping bag with a number of boxes containing a mass of irregularly shaped pieces of cardboard, plastic, and wood. Grandma explained that these were puzzles. If these broken pieces were put together properly, they would create a picture or a beautiful design.

Mitsy was fascinated by solving puzzles and putting things together. For a short moment, she thought she would give up books for puzzles. Grandma knew better. “Mitsy, life is like a puzzle. To live a good life, you need to put all the pieces together.”

Grandma and Mitsy were together when word came that the baby had arrived, a little boy whose name was Daniel. Danny was Mitsy’s little brother. She had read that babies fresh from the womb have no faults. They are pure and honest, but powerfully intuitive. She didn’t quite understand what that meant, and that was okay. Right now, she could hardly wait for the three of them to come home. She was ready. She understood that babies notice everything, so she would be a good little girl. She would take good care of Danny, her little brother, so he would notice her.

Paul and Sara Fisher (Mitsy’s parents), and little Daniel arrived, finding Grandma Fisher and Mitsy dancing with merriment and with outstretched arms to cuddle and hold this brand‐new bundle. Mitsy was shaken at first by the piercing wail. She thought silently to herself,what do we have, a little complainer?

Grandma knew immediately that Mitsy was disturbed and reassured her that, “Babies cry a lot—that is how they communicate. The baby could be hungry, cold, have a dirty diaper, or just want to be held.”

To Mitsy, this was frustrating. “How do you know what he wants?”

With a pat on the head, she said, “You will learn in time.”

Mitsy thought, I am going to learn a lot about life from Danny.

Paul, Sara, and the baby seemed exhausted. With some hot bowls of soup, a nursed baby, and a nap, everything settled down.

Paul hung a swing on the front porch and placed a rocker nearby that he had found at a local estate sale.

Mitsy knew that grandma would teach her all about baby things. Grandma knows everything.

Mitsy enjoyed rubbing the baby’s back, arms, legs, and feet with lotion. She couldn’t understand why the baby’s skin was dry. She thought it would be soft and silky, until Grandma explained that, “If you soaked in liquid for nine months and hit the air, you would be dry, too!”

Mitsy was reminded, “Don’t touch the baby without washing your hands.” Mitsy could not believe how often the baby ate and how many diapers he soiled. And he seemed to want to sleep all the time. Caring for this doll‐like, sleepy creature was eating up a massive amount of time. Grandma didn’t have time for as many stories or for listening to Mitsy play the piano. Sara was weary. The days seemed to trudge by in a blur of diaper changing, feeding, rocking, burping, and endless laundry. Mitsy was the only one who could zip out the door and find time alone.

***

As baby Danny sat comfortably on his mother’s lap, he intently studied his hand and found his thumb. He cooed with delight. For Danny, the thrill of “open mouth, insert thumb” worried Sara. She had a thumb‐ sucking baby. Grandma tried to console Sara, saying babies may have perfected this habit well before they were born. Sara had a hard time listening to Grandma’s advice because she already felt so inferior. Her instincts were to close her ears, but she really did need to listen. Babies are born to suck. This is an inborn reflex. Sucking is how they eat. Sucking calms the baby. Even when the baby has finished feeding, the baby might still clamor for more sucking action, and it doesn’t mean he’s ready to chow down again. Baby Danny found his thumb was handy. It was there. Of course, the first few episodes were probably just accidental taste tests, but he figured out how comforting his thumb was. It was always available, and it tasted familiar. Danny found a built‐in way to calm himself down any time he felt cranky, and no help from mommy was required.