The
Noodle
Read:
Luke 15:11-32
Several
years ago, my wife's brother remarried, and I inherited a new niece,
Stephanie (the Noodle). She was as vibrant and sweet as a 6-year-old
girl could be, and as squiggly too, hence the nickname.
One
night, her mother and my brother-in-law had plans to go to a
Christmas party and wanted Jeri and me to watch Miss Noodle for the
night. We were going to my brother Gord's house for a Christmas
feast, and took the Noodle with us, as my niece Rachael would be
there, and the two loved to play together. A family feast ensued, and
a good time was had by all.
It
was a dark, cold night, lots of stars, and no moon. As we drove home
on the quiet country roads across the north end of three counties, we
could hear Stephanie slipping in and out of sleep and Noodle dreams.
Then she woke up. She started telling us of all the new aunts and
uncles and cousins she had just met, and how much fun it was.
Then
she started counting out loud and on her fingers all her family, new
and old, and all the people she knew loved her. She had a few
favorites and people she knew loved her "extra special."
When
she had counted all of us, she came up with 33. She had 33 people she
knew loved her. Then, from the back seat, she yelled in excitement,
"Did you hear that? I have 33 people who love me. Uncle Ron, I'm
rich!"
Ron
Draper
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