Just a Bag

cont’d Part 6…

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Good morning sleepy heads.  I thought you were going to sleep the morning away, but by the sounds of all your snores, I guessed everyone needed the rest.  What should I have expected after all of the fun from yesterday?  I’ve set the water to boil for coffee or cocoa… I brought out both.  I am guessing that it was the smell of the bacon, though, that got you all moving in this direction.  I don’t blame you… it does smell wonderful!  In the event you were worried about it, I made sure to bring the non-caloric version of all our goodies, so help yourself… guilt free.

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I know we should get moving soon, but just like you guys, I am exhausted from all the festivities and my back is still sore from the relay race… honestly, I didn’t think an otter weighed that much, or I would have thought better of carrying Milka on my back.  It shows how out of shape I must be, since he is barely older than a pup…only half the size of his parents. 

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So, for the sake of this back of mine, and in consideration of the enormity of all that you guys did yesterday, let’s enjoy a lazy breakfast before we head out.  Is it just me, or does it seem like forever ago, we were all back at the broken cart trying to figure out what we should do about the otter folk village?

 Crocket, quite simply, your repair to the wagon wheel was ingenious!  Once we got the cart put back together, we covered it with a brightly colored canvas… compliments of Cate and Willow… again, thank you ladies.  Can you imagine how we would have ever gotten that heavy thing to the village, if it hadn’t been for Cia thinking of grabbing carrots out of her bag?  There is no way that horse would have come back and let us halter it again.

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It was the most hilarious and impromptu practice, trying to put our comical troupe together, shortly before we entered the village.  The otter folk probably heard our laughter all the way down the trail. 

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Bubbles, I’m not sure what was funnier, you trying to get yourself stuffed into the supply crate, or when you jumped up and nearly fell out, when attempting to surprise everyone with your Exploding Bubble Bag trick!  The crowd of otter babes went wild with laughter, so it was an instant success!  You were basically the pied piper for the rest of the day, with giggling little ones following you wherever you went, begging for more bubbles. 

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James, I can’t prove it, but I think you were a magician earlier in life… I still can’t figure out how that clam ended up behind the abbot’s ear.  The look of surprise on Father Humblton’s face was enough for Crocket to choke on his food. I only know this, because I saw Beetroot soup shoot out of Crockets left nostril.  I cannot say which I thought was funnier!

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Jokes and laughter aside, I am so incredibly blessed by the day we shared with those folks.  You all worked so hard assisting in the repairs and rebuilding of the village.  I am so encouraged to see each of you, utilizing your bags with such ease, and without one bit of hesitation. 

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All I know is… you guys outdid yourselves, from all of the supplies we were able to replace, to the bountiful gifts of food and materials you donated all on your own. 

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Christine did you notice, when you and I were talking over the evening’s music planned, we were being watched? 

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Just under the back wheel of the cart, I spied two tiny hands, occasionally popping out to strategically grab food, being dropped by the grown ups unpacking the supplies.  That was Milka, the otter babe with the raspberry stained lips… the one that fell asleep in the folds of your cloak while you sang lullabies to the little ones.  I found out from his mother, that Milka was in the cottage when vermin set it afire, barely escaping with his life.  While his wounds have begun to heal, the tiny fellow has been very standoffish ever since… until last night.  The more your voice drifted across the village, it was like a healing balm settled upon the otter folk.  We are so fortunate that you were with us… Thank You!

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For as much as I want to get to our destination, to deliver what is needed, I am beginning to see the value in the getting there part.  While I had been so excited and gung-ho to finish our mission, it was not until last night, after the fish fry, that I understood. 

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Well, I understood a bit better than the day before, and really, I am not sure I fully get it still.  But you can decide and then tell me what you think.  As there is a sizeable number in our gang, I am guessing you might have gained your own insights. 

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As for myself, I was in the middle of washing the dishes from the festivities, when I saw the old Abbot resting under a tree, snoring softly.  I felt an overwhelming need to reach into my bag, not even knowing what I was looking to find.  When I withdrew my hand from my bag, I held what looked like a small cloth package, held together with twine.  There was a note attached, held in place with a yellow ribbon.

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Before your curiosity takes flight, I did not see what was in the package, since I wanted to give the old man privacy while he read the letter.  Upon reading what was in the message, the old abbot gently bowed his head and held the small box to his lips, letting just a single tear spill onto the package… he never did open the gift.  It was almost as if he already knew what was within the box.  When he looked up and saw that I was observing him, he gently smiled at me, and then drifted off to sleep again, the package safely tucked into his robes.  It was as if I had dreamt the whole thing.  As he drifted off, I thought I heard the old man whisper something about reading Luke 12: 32-34.

While you all were sleeping, I looked up the verses that the old abbot spoke of, and have been sitting here all morning pondering.  Let me share with you the words I read…

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions and give to the poor.  Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What do you think it might mean… I mean was it literal, or figurative?  Was the old man referring to himself or me?  I need more time to ponder all the questions flying around in my head, but we are overdue as it is.  Perhaps we can toss ideas back and forth with one another while on the path…