Re: The Power of Popcorn

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I am so glad you are part of this family!! Your story of

popcorn brought happy tears to my eyes and also brought some of the

thing that I know are challenging my heart to the surface.. Thank you

for this very sweet story that carries so much wisdom!! I especially

like the part of pull up a stool and tell me what you think, feel ,

hope for and have some popcorn! You just made my night! BIG HUGS!!

Your sister in light and love, LUNA

>

> Power of Popcorn, The

> by: Eckerson, , Source Unknown

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> I crept up to the door and knocked.

>

> I was scared -- just a little -- but far too excited to pay the

fear

> much attention.

>

> A gruff voice bellowed (just another part of the routine), " Who is

> it? "

>

> Quietly, I whispered, " It's , Mr. Hoag. "

>

> " What do you want? " he yelled. (As if he doesn't already know.)

>

> Larger than life is the image that approached the back door. His

low,

> raspy voice bellowed out of his warm, smiling face. A smile is all

I

> needed! I am instantly reassured and feel welcomed. In a matter of

> seconds, I lead my gang of four or five neighborhood kids and two

> brothers through the house to the living room.

>

> There it was -- the complete set-up. Two chairs, facing each other,

> on either side of the square iron floor register. In the center of

> the register sat a huge, yellow enamel wash basin filled to the rim

> with fresh hot popcorn.

>

> Mr. Hoag knew the way to my heart was through my nose!

>

> I was the undisputed most dedicated popcorn lover of the whole

group

> of kids living on the hill. The aroma filled the air and caused a

> magnetic attraction... kids and snacks, a natural combination.

There

> was no better smell on earth than Mr. Hoag's home-grown, fluffy,

> white kernel popcorn. On a little wooden stool sat a stack of white

> paper bags.

>

> One by one, we took our turn sitting on the chair opposite this

grand

> man, chatting with him while he fills our bag.

>

> He listened to each one of us with great interest. Whether we told

> him our troubles or victories, he listened intently. Our words were

> important to him. Our opinions mattered to him. He never made fun

of

> us or what we told him. He said few words but we knew we were

valued

> and worthy of this man's attention. After all, he took the time to

> make us popcorn and to listen.

>

> We each gave him a heartfelt thank you and a warm hug, even the

boys

> did! Well, except for and . They were the older ones and

Mr.

> Hoag acknowledged their " big-boy " status with a handshake.

>

> On the couch, at the other end of the living room was his beautiful

> wife, grinning as she watched the parade. Although they had no

> children of their own, Mrs. Hoag, an English teacher at my school

and

> Mr. Hoag were child-friendly folks. They loved us and we could feel

> it. Cared for and strengthened, we confidently ran off, treats in

> hand.

>

> I'm not sure what we loved more... the popcorn, or Mr. Hoag! I do

> know that I was a scapegoat for my peers at school, with their

> childish and often painful pranks. My parents loved me and suffered

> when I came home crying from school. They told me of my worth and

> encouraged me as best they could. But, typical of a child, I

thought

> they had to say all that!

>

> They were my Mom and Dad and had to love me.

>

> So, heavenly backup was provided and my self-esteem was restored

> nightly, by a 75-year-old, ornery, teddy bear who knew the power of

> popcorn. He used that delicious treat to show how he cared for not

> only me, but for all the neighborhood kids.

>

> I am so thankful that this wonderful man took the time and effort

to

> make a difference in our lives.

>

> Showing interest, acceptance, and love took so little time. But the

> affects will be with us for a lifetime and with our children, too.

>

>

>

> * So, pull up a stool here and tell me all about what you feel,

think

> and hope for.......and have some popcorn.

>