Halloween

The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows

Jack Santino

Halloween had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the dead. The Celtic peoples, who were once found all over Europe, divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle.

The festival observed at this time was called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). It was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were abroad: ghosts, fairies, and demons--all part of the dark and dread.

Samhain became the Halloween we are familiar with when Christian missionaries attempted to change the religious practices of the Celtic people. In the early centuries of the first millennium A.D., before missionaries such as St. Patrick and St. Columcille converted them to Christianity, the Celts practiced an elaborate religion through their priestly caste, the Druids, who were priests, poets, scientists and scholars all at once. As religious leaders, ritual specialists, and bearers of learning, the Druids were not unlike the very missionaries and monks who were to Christianize their people and brand them evil devil worshippers.

As a result of their efforts to wipe out "pagan" holidays, such as Samhain, the Christians succeeded in effecting major transformations in it. In 601 A.D. Pope Gregory the First issued a now famous edict to his missionaries concerning the native beliefs and customs of the peoples he hoped to convert. Rather than try to obliterate native peoples' customs and beliefs, the pope instructed his missionaries to use them: if a group of people worshipped a tree, rather than cut it down, he advised them to consecrate it to Christ and allow its continued worship.

In terms of spreading Christianity, this was a brilliant concept and it became a basic approach used in Catholic missionary work. Church holy days were purposely set to coincide with native holy days. Christmas, for instance, was assigned the arbitrary date of December 25th because it corresponded with the mid-winter celebration of many peoples. Likewise, St. John's Day was set on the summer solstice.

Samhain, with its emphasis on the supernatural, was decidedly pagan. While missionaries identified their holy days with those observed by the Celts, they branded the earlier religion's supernatural deities as evil, and associated them with the devil. As representatives of the rival religion, Druids were considered evil worshippers of devilish or demonic gods and spirits. The Celtic underworld inevitably became identified with the Christian Hell.

The effects of this policy were to diminish but not totally eradicate the beliefs in the traditional gods. Celtic belief in supernatural creatures persisted, while the church made deliberate attempts to define them as being not merely dangerous, but malicious. Followers of the old religion went into hiding and were branded as witches.

The Christian feast of All Saints was assigned to November 1st. The day honored every Christian saint, especially those that did not otherwise have a special day devoted to them. This feast day was meant to substitute for Samhain, to draw the devotion of the Celtic peoples, and, finally, to replace it forever. That did not happen, but the traditional Celtic deities diminished in status, becoming fairies or leprechauns of more recent traditions.

The old beliefs associated with Samhain never died out entirely. The powerful symbolism of the traveling dead was too strong, and perhaps too basic to the human psyche, to be satisfied with the new, more abstract Catholic feast honoring saints. Recognizing that something that would subsume the original energy of Samhain was necessary, the church tried again to supplant it with a Christian feast day in the 9th century. This time it established November 2nd as All Souls Day--a day when the living prayed for the souls of all the dead. But, once again, the practice of retaining traditional customs while attempting to redefine them had a sustaining effect: the traditional beliefs and customs lived on, in new guises.

All Saints Day, otherwise known as All Hallows (hallowed means sanctified or holy), continued the ancient Celtic traditions. The evening prior to the day was the time of the most intense activity, both human and supernatural. People continued to celebrate All Hallows Eve as a time of the wandering dead, but the supernatural beings were now thought to be evil. The folk continued to propitiate those spirits (and their masked impersonators) by setting out gifts of food and drink. Subsequently, All Hallows Eve became Hallow Evening, which became Hallowe'en--an ancient Celtic, pre-Christian New Year's Day in contemporary dress.

Many supernatural creatures became associated with All Hallows. In Ireland fairies were numbered among the legendary creatures who roamed on Halloween. An old folk ballad called "Allison Gross" tells the story of how the fairy queen saved a man from a witch's spell on Halloween.

O Allison Gross, that lives in yon tower
the ugliest witch int he North Country...
She's turned me into an ugly worm
and gard me toddle around a tree...

But as it fell out last Hallow even
When the seely [fairy] court was riding by,
the Queen lighted down on a gowany bank
Not far from the tree where I wont to lie...
She's change me again to my own proper shape
And I no more toddle about the tree.

In old England cakes were made for the wandering souls, and people went "a' soulin'" for these "soul cakes." Halloween, a time of magic, also became a day of divination, with a host of magical beliefs: for instance, if persons hold a mirror on Halloween and walk backwards down the stairs to the basement, the face that appears in the mirror will be their next lover.

Virtually all present Halloween traditions can be traced to the ancient Celtic day of the dead. Halloween is a holiday of many mysterious customs, but each one has a history, or at least a story behind it. The wearing of costumes, for instance, and roaming from door to door demanding treats can be traced to the Celtic period and the first few centuries of the Christian era, when it was thought that the souls of the dead were out and around, along with fairies, witches, and demons. Offerings of food and drink were left out to placate them. As the centuries wore on, people began dressing like these dreadful creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This practice is called mumming, from which the practice of trick-or-treating evolved. To this day, witches, ghosts, and skeleton figures of the dead are among the favorite disguises. Halloween also retains some features that harken back to the original harvest holiday of Samhain, such as the customs of bobbing for apples and carving vegetables, as well as the fruits, nuts, and spices cider associated with the day.

Today Halloween is becoming once again and adult holiday or masquerade, like mardi Gras. Men and women in every disguise imaginable are taking to the streets of big American cities and parading past grinningly carved, candlelit jack o'lanterns, re- enacting customs with a lengthy pedigree. Their masked antics challenge, mock, tease, and appease the dread forces of the night, of the soul, and of the otherworld that becomes our world on this night of reversible possibilities, inverted roles, and transcendency. In so doing, they are reaffirming death and its place as a part of life in an exhilarating celebration of a holy and magic evening.

History - Iraq

Subject: History - Iraq

Babylon is the place to watch

You might find this interesting.

Those of you who are Bible scholars will already know some, if not all of this, but you may not have put it together. So, here in one place, are some things you might not have known about the country we now call Iraq:

Iraq is considered the "cradle of civilization" because it's where the world began. Did you know..?

1) The Garden of Eden was possibly in Iraq. Two of the four rivers in the Garden of Eden, the Tigris and Euphrates, flow through Iraq, so some speculate that Adam & Eve lived in the area of Iraq.

2) Abraham was born, raised and called out of Iraq. The ruins of the city of Ur are just across the Kuwait border in southern Iraq.

3) Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian kingdom was in Iraq. It was located on the Tigris River north of Baghdad. The prophet Jonah preached in this city.

4) Babylon was in Iraq. It was located on the Euphrates River a few miles south of Baghdad. Our troops gathered right next to Babylon as they prepared to move on Baghdad. Babylon is one of the most important cities in Scripture...

a. It is also known as the City of Babel where the Tower of Babel was built when the entire earth was scattered.

b. The wicked ruler Nimrod ruled from Babel.

c. King Nebuchadnezzar lived in Babylon, started the Babylonian Empire and conquered Israel.

d. The Prophet Daniel lived in Babylon during the Babylonian captivity and wrote perhaps the most important prophecies in Scripture from there.

e. Babylon is considered a type of the world in Scripture and a synonym for worldly, materialistic, idolatrous, sensuous wickedness. Babylon was perhaps the most glorious city in human history with walls as high as 300 feet by some estimates. Chariot races took place on the top of the walls several lanes abreast, the walls were so thick.

f. It would seem the Babylonian empire might rise again in the last days, which makes this war intriguing. Read Isaiah 13-14, Jeremiah 50-51 and Revelation 17-18 where it seems to indicate that Babylon re-emerges in the last days..? Think about the possibility of a free Iraq with the second largest oil reserves in the world and what a wealthy country it could be if it were out from under Saddam Hussein's control. Don't know? Just thinking out loud!

g. Read Zechariah 5:5-11 where it seems to indicate that the seat of wickedness in the last days will one day again be in Babylon..?
(The land of "Shinar" is Babylon)

Jesus said we won't know the day or the hour, but we would know the season of the end times. Clearly God is doing something. I continue to sit in wonder how the United States is gathered right where the world began literally next to the Babylonian ruins in this war! Don't miss the prophetic significance of our current events! God bless you!!!

Comments made in the year 1957:

Hahahahahaha......I remember it well.......

Thought you might like to see these!!!

"I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20."

"Have you seen the new cars coming out next year?
It won't be long before $2000 will only buy a used one."

"If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit.
A quarter a pack is ridiculous."

"Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"

"If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."

"When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage."

"Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be
wearing their hair as long as the girls.."

"I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more.
Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying 'damn' in 'Gone With The Wind,' it seems every new movie has either "hell" or "damn" in it.

"I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas."

"Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the president."

"I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be
electric. They are even making electric typewriters now."

"It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet."

"It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work."

"Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more; those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat."

"I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."

"Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress."

"The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."

"There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $15 a night to stay in a hotel."

"No one can afford to be sick any more; $35 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood."

"If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it."

IN THE BEGINNING...

IN THE BEGINNING...
   In the beginning, God populated the earth with broccoli and
cauliflower
and
   spinach, green and yellow, and red vegetables of all kinds,
so man
   and woman would live long and healthy lives.
   Then, using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's
and Krispy
   Kreme and Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And
man said,
   Yeah!" And woman said, "And another one, with sprinkles!"
and they
gained
10
   pounds.
   And God created healthful yogurt that woman might keep the
figure that
man
   found so fair and Satan brought forth white flour from the
wheat,
   and sugar from the cane, and combined them and woman went
from size 2 to
   size 10.
   So God said, "Try my fresh green salad. "And Satan presented
Thousand
Island
   Dressing, and garlic toast on the side. And man and woman
   unfastened their belts.
   God then said, "I have sent you heart-healthy vegetables and
olive oil
in
   which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep-fried fish
and
   chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And
man gained
more
   weight, and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then
introduced
   running shoes so that his children might lose those extra
pounds. And
Satan
   countered with cable TV with a remote control so man would
not have to
toil
   to change the channels. And man and woman laughed and cried
before the
   flickering light and gained more pounds.
   Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and
brimming
with
   nutrition and Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced
the
   starchy center into chips and deep-fried them and man began
to look like
a
   blimp!
   God then recommended lean beef so that man might consume
fewer calories
and
   still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonalds and
its
   99-cent double cheeseburger. Then he added, "You want fries
with that?"
And
   man replied 'Yeah! And super size 'em." and Satan said, "It
is good."
and
   man went into cardiac arrest.
   God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery...

   ...and Satan created HMOs.

SARS - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

What You Need to Know About SARS Symptoms, Incubation, Transmission

Apr 2 2003

SARS was first detected in February in Hanoi, Vietnam by Italian doctor Carlo Urbani; however it is believed that SARS may have begun in 2002 in the southern province of Guangdong in China.

Since that time at least 73 people throughout Asia and Canada, including Dr.Urbani, have died from this deadly, new pneumonia-like virus.

Deaths have been reported in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Canada. Approximately 2,200 people have been infected by SARS in at least thirteen countries including the United States and Canada.

Just yesterday, American Airlines Flight 128 from Hong Kong was held on the ground at San Jose International Airport for almost two hours because five passengers exhibited symptoms consistent with SARS. None of the five were found, by doctors, to have SARS.

What are the symptoms of SARS?

The first sign of Severe Acute Respirator Syndrome is usually a sudden fever of over 100.4�F or 38.0�C (may include chills). Other symptoms that may occur include headache, general discomfort, and body aches.

Two to seven days after the onset of symptoms SARS patients might develop a dry, nonproductive cough. The cough may be accompanied by or progress to the point that mechanical ventilation is required; this occurs in ten to twenty percent of cases.

What is the incubation period for people who are exposed to SARS?

The incubation period for SARS is generally 2 to 7 days; however in a few rare cases, it has been as long as 10 days.

How is SARS spread?

SARS appears to be transmitted through droplet transmission such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes the droplets and another person breaths them in. There is a possibility that SARS is more broadly transmitted through the air or on contaminated objects. It is unclear how long a person infected with SARS is contagious to others. Those most at risk of developing SARS are people who have direct contact with an infected person such as family members and health care workers. There has been no indication of community transmission in the United Sates at this time.

How is SARS treated?

The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta recommends that SARS patients receive the same treatment used for any patient with serious community-acquired atypical pneumonia of unknown cause. Although several treatments have been used for SARS patients there is insufficient information at this time to determine whether any have been beneficial. Both antibiotics and antiviral medications such as oseltamivir or ribavirin, as well as steroids either orally or intravenously in combination with ribavirin and other antimicrobials have been used to treat SARS patients.

French

In light of the French stating that they would Veto any action against Iraq that we may propose before the Security Council of the UN, I thought this email from a US Marine serving in Bosnia would put things in perspective.

From a Marine in Bosnia. Note the signature, but read it last.

A funny thing happened to me yesterday at Camp Bondsteel (Bosnia):

A French army officer walked up to me in the PX, and told me he thought we (Americans) were a bunch of cowboys and were going to provoke a war. He said if such a thing happens, we wouldn't be able to count on the support of France.

I told him that it didn't surprise me. Since we had come to France's rescue in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War, their ingratitude and jealousy was due to surface at some point in the near future anyway.

That is why France is a third-rate military power with a socialist economy and a bunch of faggots for soldiers.

I additionally told him that America, being a nation of deeds and action, not words, would do whatever it had to do, and France's support was only for show anyway. Just like in ALL NATO exercises, the US would shoulder

85% of the burden, as evidenced by the fact that the French officer was shopping in the American PX, and not the other way around.

He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would like to, I would meet him outside in front of the Burger King and beat his ass in front of the entire Multinational Brigade East, thus demonstrating that even the smallest American had more fight in him than the average Frenchman.

He called me a barbarian cowboy and walked away in a huff. With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Mary Beth Johnson Lt.Col, USMC

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE A REAL AMERICAN WOMAN!!!!

A View from the Top

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:

   The melody out of music,
    The pride out of appearance,
    The courtesy out of driving,
    The romance out of love,
    The commitment out of marriage,
    The responsibility out of parenthood,
    The togetherness out of the family,
    The learning out of education,
    The service out of patriotism,
    The Golden Rule from rulers,
    The nativity scene out of cities,
    The civility out of behavior,
    The refinement out of language,
    The dedication out of employment,
    The prudence out of spending,
    The ambition out of achievement, or,
    God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!

And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country.

Does anyone under the age of 50 know the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner?

What about the last verse of My Country 'tis of Thee?
"Our father's God to thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's Holy light.
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King."

Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!

I'm the life of the party......    even if it lasts until 8 p.m.
I'm very good at opening childproof caps...   with a hammer.
I'm usually interested in going home before I get to where I am going.
I'm awake several hours before my body allows me to get up.
I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying.
I'm very good at telling stories; over and over and over and over...
I'm aware that other people's grandchildren are not nearly as smart or cute as mine.
I'm so cared for --   long term care, eye care, private care, dental care.

I'm not really grouchy,

I just don't like traffic, waiting, crowds, standing in any line, lawyers, loud music, unruly kids, commercials, barking dogs, politicians and a few other things I can't seem to remember right now.

I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.

I'm wrinkled, saggy, and lumpy - and that's just my left leg.

I'm having trouble remembering simple words like.......

I'm beginning to realizing that aging is not for wimps.

I'm sure they are making adults much younger these days, and when did they start letting kids become policemen?

I'm wondering, if you're only as old as you feel, how could I be alive at 150?

And, how can my kids be older than I feel sometimes?

I'm a walking storeroom of facts. I've just lost the key to the storeroom door.

Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life!

Now, if I could just remember who sent this to me, I wouldn't send it back to them, but I would send it to many more!

Now- Have I already sent this to you???????

If so, I'll try not to do it again (for a while.)

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

GEORGE CARLIN POST 9-11 (His wife recently died...) isn't it amazing that
George Carlin - gross and mouthy comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write
something so very eloquent... and so very appropriate post 9-11.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower
viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We
have bigger houses and smaller families, more
conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more
knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too
much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry,
stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and
pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the
moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've
done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but
polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not
our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish
less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We
build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than
ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These
are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken
homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a
time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit
delete.
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to
someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will
grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm
hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give
with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember,
to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all
mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when
it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the
moment for someday that person will not be there
again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the
precious thoughts in your mind.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away"

OPENING PRAYER -- KANSAS STATE SENATE

Definitely worth taking the time to read and pass on
to as many people as you know. God Bless !!!
I don't know whether you have seen this or not its worth reading
and passing on again.

OPENING PRAYER -- KANSAS STATE SENATE
    Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002

    Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in KANSAS at the
    opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some
    people...When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the
    KANSAS SENATE, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is
    what they heard:

    " Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to
    seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who
    call evil good," but that is exactly what we have done...We have lost our
    spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that.

       We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.
    ....We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery,
    ....We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare,
    ....We have killed our unborn and called it choice,
    ....We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable,
    ....We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem,
    ....We have abused power and called it politics,
    ....We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition,
    ....We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it
             freedom of statement,
    ....We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it
             enlightenment.
    ....Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin
             and set us free.
    ....Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent: to direct us to
             the center of
       Your will and to openly ask these things in the name of Your Son, the living
             Savior, Jesus Christ. " Amen.!! "

    The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the
       prayer in protest.
    In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor,
       logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding
       negatively.

    The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer
       from India, Africa, and Korea.

    Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of
       the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he
       has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation
       and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called,
       "One nation under God."

THE RED MARBLE

Subject: The Red Marble

A True Story

During the waning years of the depression in a small south eastern
Idaho community, I used to stop by Mr. Miller's roadside stand for
farm-fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still
extremely scarce and bartering was used, extensively.

One particular day Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me.
I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean,
hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for
my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.

I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas,
I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the
ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas ... sure
look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?"

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it."

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of
go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not 'zackley .....but, almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip
this way let me look at that red marble."

"Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With
a smile she said: "There are two other boys like him in our community,
all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with
them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he
decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a
bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."

I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short
time later I moved to Utah but I never forgot the story of this man,
the boys and their bartering.

Several years went by each more rapid than the previous one. Just
recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho
community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends
wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon our arrival at the mortuary we
fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer
whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three
young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts,
dark suits and white shirts ... very professional looking.

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing smiling and composed, by her
husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the
cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty
light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly
and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket.
Each left the mortuary, awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned
the story she had told me about the marbles. Eyes glistening she took my
hand and led me to the casket. "Those three young men, that just left, were
the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the
things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his
mind about color or size...they came to pay their debt.

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she
confided, "but, right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased
husband. Resting underneath were three, magnificently shiny, red
marbles.

Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.