The Napkin

The Napkin
Carol Condon
carolcondon5@aol.com

The 4^th of July parade was a regular event in our home growing up.  The lawn chairs were loaded in the trunk along with a blanket for the kids. The candy bags were in our pockets and fresh batteries for the camera were thrown in the bulky camera bag. We loaded up early so we could get as close to the curb as possible. The “be fair about how much candy you grab” talk was given to all of us kids. The beauty queens were perched on top of the cars, the bands were lined up and tuned up, the clowns were already producing laughter, and the horses were prancing to get the parade going! As the applause made it down to our blanket we knew the parade had begun!

My dad must have had an extra sense about him. Before the boots could be heard marching in unison or the flag peeking over the hill, my dad was already standing with his hand over his heart. We were all just seconds behind him. I remember one year my dad leaned over and said, “Carol, don’t ever take the flag for granted and stay seated. Make sure you stand every time.” As I saw this giant of a man’s eyes gather tears, mine did too. Sadly, all those years ago we would glance around and see many Americans still seated counting up their candy stash as the flag carried by our veterans passed by.

Years passed and the patriotism in our family stood firm. Although my siblings and I had married and scattered across the United States, we treasured every moment we were able to come home and visit with each other and our sweet parents. However, the dreaded time had come when my Dad had fallen ill. One thing after another and his health seemed to deteriorate right before our eyes. Little did I realize that on July 4, 2008, I would have my final Independence Day with my dad.

My sister, Pam, became and still reigns as the family hostess. She decorates beautifully for every season and cooks amazing! We gathered together for the July 4^th picnic. Dad was seated in a recliner and mom brought him his meal. The volume of our family can be quite intense but my mom was tuned to dads quiet, “Honey?” As she walked over, his chin quivered as he held up his flag napkin that went perfectly with the day. He politely asked, “Can you please get me something to wipe my mouth with? I have tried but I just cannot use this.” Tears began to flow from all of us as we took a moment to look at our hero, our WWII Purple Heart veteran, as he sat with tears dripping from his eyes at the thought of wiping his mouth with the flag of the United States of America.

Let us never forget how blessed we are to be Americans in this great land I love.

2 Chronicles 7:14King James Version (KJV)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The Interruption

The Interruption

Carol Condon

www.carolcondon.com

The storm hit so quick. Chase and I were standing in our living room when thunder rolled so loudly that it shook our home. It was accompanied moments later by a brilliant streak of light lasting just seconds before all was dark.  We stood looking at each other wondering what we had just experienced. Had our home been hit by lightning?

We were running really close on time, so we made sure Webster was ok (he was hiding in our closet), and out the door we ran.  Later that evening, we noticed that the garage doors were not working.  That was actually minor compared to what all we found in the weeks to follow. We could see that we had electricity, water, and gas, so we assumed all was ok. However, randomly the internet would go out, the outside lights quit working, certain receptacles throughout the house no longer worked, and the “what’s not working” list began to grow. I made a call to the local electric company and was told that they would look into it.

A few mornings later Bryce came downstairs stating that the electricity in his room went out. I called the company back and explained the storm and the "interruptions" all over again. They finally admitted that something was wrong. Upon further inspection, it was determined that our home had been hit by lightning, resulting in the random interruptions of power.

It made me stop and think about how the storms of life strike, catching us completely unaware. We look around for damage, pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, and walk away.  Everything seems to be working so we carry on.  Bam! Then comes the random interruptions of power. We feel fine when we drift off to sleep, but as the morning sun hits our face we wake up weak and powerless.  What seemed to be working is now not working at all. One thought, one wrong assumption, or even one memory can cause an interruption that can take days to repair. We must contact the Source of our strength and allow Him to repair the damage sustained by our “storm”.  We may have our power interrupted, but it is our Lord who will give power to the weak and return strength to those “without power.”

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”

Isaiah 40:29 NLT