Muenkel 0 #1 November 25, 2004 When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it. Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head. A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information." "I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience. "Isn't your mother home?" came the question. "Nobody's home but me," I blubbered. "Are you bleeding?" the voice asked. "No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts." "Can you open the icebox?" she asked. I said I could. "Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice. After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts. Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?" She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Paul, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in." Somehow I felt better. Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please." "Information," said the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked. All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy. A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please." Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well. "Information." I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?" There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now." I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?" I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls." I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister "Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally." Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered,"Information." I asked for Sally. "Are you a friend?" she said. "Yes, a very old friend," I answered "I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago." Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Paul?" "Yes." I answered. "Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you." The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean." I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant. Never underestimate the impression you may make on others. Whose life have you touched today? Why not pass this on? I just did... Lifting you on eagle's wings. May you find the joy and peace you long for. Life is a journey . NOT a guided tour. I loved this story and just had to pass it on. I hope you enjoy it and get a blessing from it just as I did. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzdiva 7 #2 November 25, 2004 "It's not just a daydream if you choose to make it your life..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #3 November 25, 2004 very touchingLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird 0 #4 November 25, 2004 Chris, ya made me go all misty. Thanks. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #5 November 25, 2004 I need a "big waves in my eyes" emoticon...scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cindee 0 #6 November 25, 2004 Thanks for the story Chris. I just read it my neice Hannah. We both love the story...__________________________________________________ "If happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why oh why can't I?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uncaged 0 #7 November 25, 2004 That was truly pricelss... Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving. When the going gets weird, The weird turn pro... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redramdriver 0 #8 November 26, 2004 So nice. Had to read it twice! Once for me, then once to the wife! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!So, you bring your beer? Its 5 o'clock somewhere POPS #9344 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinjackflash 0 #9 November 26, 2004 Happy ThanksGiving to you to. From me and all mine. JIt's a gas, gas, gas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #10 November 26, 2004 Happy turky day dad. Great story I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #11 November 26, 2004 You are getting way too soppy. way too sensitive to be a redneck. Fix your head and get back in the air, only then will we give you back your Guy Card.! Happy Thanksgiving man.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justaflygirl 0 #12 November 26, 2004 that is a wonderful story, even though I have read it many times, it still brings a tear to my eyes, thanks Chris! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morcyk 0 #13 November 26, 2004 Glad I was able to hold my attention long enough to read that one. Was really good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites