Life is a Long Story Short
Lessons From Living through Abuse, Abandonment, and Adoption
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Let’s Go Fly a Kite
(March)
“He let loose the east wind from the heavens
and by his power made the south wind blow.” (Psalm 78:26)
Kenny could not believe his good fortune. Rarely when his Uncle Jim came to visit did they do much besides play games, talk, and eat. Not this time! When they got up this morning, and heard the wind whistling through the trees, Uncle Jim was on top of it.
“Hey, Kenny, what would you say to trying out a new kite I brought with me?”
Uncle Jim did not have to ask twice! Kenny was all over it and full of impatience as they pulled out the kites and strung them with string. Kenny’s kite was just a simple diamond shape. Uncle Jim’s, on the other hand, was unlike anything Kenny had ever seen. He called it a box kite, perhaps because it almost looked like a box, but it was not going to hold much with all the sides missing.
They finally made it to the school grounds. Kenny had hoped they would be first, but to his dismay, he saw that it was already getting crowded. Uncle Jim motioned him to a clear spot in the corner of the big ball diamond.
Kenny watched, with amazement, as Uncle Jim began to slowly let out the string, keeping a tight line the whole time. As he did, the kite began to soar. Kenny was convinced they were the envy of everyone there!
Once the box kite was in the air, Kenny tried to get his kite in the air. He struggled mightily against the wind (and apparently against all odds). He never got it more than a few feet off the ground before it took a spin, and promptly landed on the ground.
As Uncle Jim was keeping his kite aloft, he was also keeping a close eye on Kenny, watching for signs of frustration. Finally sensing the Kenny had had enough, even though it had only been about 30 minutes, Uncle Jim called to him.
“Hey, Kenny! Want to try your hand at this one?”
Kenny was aghast. What did he just say? Did Uncle Jim say he could fly it? Without a moment’s hesitation, Kenny dropped his kite, right where it was, and hustled over to his uncle.
“Here. Take the reel in one hand,” Uncle Jim explained, as he handed him the reel. “With your other hand hold on to the string, so you can keep it tight.”
Uncle Jim let go and put the rig totally in Kenny’s hands. Kenny felt a sudden burst of excitement. “Just wait until Gary hears about this,” Kenny mused. Gary was his younger brother who wanted to come but stayed home, providing Kenny this rare one-on-one experience with his uncle.
As Kenny fought to keep the big box aloft (and under control), his uncle meandered over and picked up Kenny’s kite. He was careful to wrap it up properly so Kenny would not have to fight with it later on.
Kenny was thoroughly enjoying himself, when suddenly a gust of wind came up that was too strong for him to handle. He struggled to keep the kite under control, as it wobbled in the air. Just as soon as he thought things were under control, and he would be able to relax, another gust hit with such force that the line tied to the kite snapped.
“N-o-o-o!” Kenny screamed. He watched with despair as the kite took off, caught in an updraft and still soaring. Kenny sank to his knees. What would his uncle do to him now?
Just as that thought raced into his mind, he heard his uncle’s voice.
“My, oh, my! That was one big gust! Whatever will we do now? We lost our kite. Hey, how about you and I go get a soda. We will have a story to tell, won’t we?”
With that, his uncle began picking things up, at least the things that were left.
No scolding. No yelling. No problem. Kenny was bewildered, but he wasted no time in pitching in. After all, his uncle said something about a soda and Kenny could already taste that Faygo Root Beer on the way down.
Author’s Insight – No Problem
This story is based on a true event in my life, just a few months after my second adoption happened. My aunt and uncle were infrequent visitors to our house, and when they did visit, we always focused on family oriented things. For me to get the undivided attention of my new uncle was endearing.
Yet, if there is one thing I had clearly learned about life, it was the fact that disappointments and problems will come in life. I knew disappointments first hand. I also knew that when you disappoint another, it usually comes with some sort of retribution.
That day with my uncle, I learned a very valuable lesson in life. Disappointments and problems will come, but the true test of a man (or woman) is discovered in how they deal with those disappointments. If one choses to rant and rave about how unfair life is, there is little chance to enjoy the joys that surround your circumstances.
My uncle could very easily have castigated me, but he chose to focus on the joy we had in spending time together. It was a quality time that had been devoid in my life. I relished the opportunity and grabbed it with gusto. When things went awry, I was expecting the worst but received something totally different.
The Apostle Paul was very familiar with adversity, yet he made it very clear what the attitude of Christians must be toward adversity. In Philippians 4:12, Paul writes, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” While Paul was specifically addressing the state of one’s circumstances – in want or in plenty – the implication is clear. Whatever our state is, we must learn to be content.
But what does it truly mean to be content? Technically, contentment means to be satisfied with what you have, not wanting anything more (or anything else). But for the Christian, we should always want more, but not more things to have or to do. Paul is making a point in Philippians. He did not need, or want, anything else that the world had to offer. Nor should we.
Yet, we should always be seeking more spiritually! We should never be content to let life float away from us. We need to want what my uncle offered to me that day, and what God wants from us. Communion, time spent together. We should relish our time alone with God, savoring every moment and always wanting more!
When our kites go flying off, remember to savor the joy of kite flying.
Now, who wants to go fly a kite?
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About the Book
Have you ever wondered how others make it through life with their faith intact while you struggle mightily with your faith? This collection of short stories, gathered from the lives of real people, will help you understand that other people struggle too. It is what they do with those struggles that help to preserve their faith, even under the toughest of circumstances.
About the Author
A 2013 graduate of Western Governors University, a computer programmer since 1976, and a freelance reporter for Kansas newspapers since 1999, I have been writing for more than four decades.
Abandoned in 1962 at the age of six, my first adoption was nullified because of abuse and neglect. My second adoption in 1965 was a rousing success. However, the adoption that matters most is my adoption as a child of God in 1966.
Although saved, I repeated much of my birth father’s sins, falling into alcoholism and abuse. I had followed a path that I had truly known nothing about until a tearful reunion with my birth family in October of 1989. I have been sober and violence-free since the spring of 1989.
My life has been transformed, and I am living for the Lord. My penchant for noticing details serves me well in both my reporting and the stories I glean from life.
Along the way, I’ve also walked a lot—south to north across Kansas in 2014 and east to west in 2015. In 2018, I am planning to walk from Seattle to Miami to raise awareness for the need for foster parents and adoption.
Christ tells us in Luke 12:48 that “from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (NIV). Much has been given to me, now it is time to give back.