Casualties

Alyssa stood quietly beside her father in the bustling Minneapolis airport watching her mother in the distance as she prepared to run the security gauntlet. “Bye-bye, Laura,” six year old Alyssa called to her mother as loudly as she dared. Her mother paused for a moment and blew her daughter a kiss before continuing to remove her red Giuseppe Zanotti heels for the conveyor bin. The airport monitor indicated that her flight would depart right on schedule, and Laura’s racing thoughts were already transporting her ahead in time to her dream-come-true arrival in Paris.

David and Laura’s divorce wrapped up three weeks earlier. It had not been a messy divorce, the kind where the injured parties ensnare friends and strangers and hold them captive while they catalog their grievances over and over. The couple was too civilized for tasteless revelations of their private life. Nor was their divorce a particularly friendly one, the kind where the couple remains so amiable that everyone wonders just what had gone wrong. David and Laura had never even really been friends and shared the notion that friendships are for school children.

Their parting had been more of a drifting away from one another, and neither David nor Laura had even considered reaching for a lifeline; instead, they were buoyed along as the current of discontent gently took them toward different shores. David was searching for a wife who would compliment and complement him. He longed for a woman who would idolize him and make him her top priority, while at the same time maintaining her charm and intelligence. When she entered a social gathering, there would be a break in the conversational din. And everyone would know that she was his.

Laura’s dreams were of becoming a shrewd and impressive business woman in the world of fashion. Shortly before the divorce was final, she was offered a position with Adeline Andre’ Haute Couture. She accepted the offer with no consideration of family ties or responsibilities.

Now, as David and Alyssa reached the car in the airport parking garage, Alyssa was squeezing back the tears that had started as she first watched her mother disappear in the lines of fellow travelers. Her Father noticed her contorted face and patted her arm with a dismissive, “There, there,” and ushered her into the car.

Alyssa Monique Burke had come to her parents unexpectedly; but they liked her. She was beautiful and intelligent and gave them credibility as a family: “And do you have any children?”

“An adorable little girl,” they would reply proudly.

As they begin driving, Alyssa looked at her Father and asked hesitantly, “David, can I go to a pet store to buy something nice for Treater?”

“May I, Alyssa. May I.”

“Yes, Sir. May I go to the pet store to buy a toy for Treater?”

David scoffed, “A toy for a dog? Nonsense. You know I have to drop you off at home with Mrs. Robinson and get back to the office. I’ll be working long hours to get ready for the New Your conference. Don’t you remember?”

“Maybe Mrs. Robinson could take me tomorrow when she picks me up after school.”

“I don’t pay Mrs. Robinson to chauffer you around.

“Yes, Sir,” Alyssa whispered. Then silence prevailed.

As soon as the divorce had been finalized, it occurred to them that a decision must be made as to where Alyssa would grow up: Paris or Minneapolis? They had delayed this decision because it seemed inconsequential at the time. They concluded that Alyssa should make the decision as to which parent she would live with. “Either way is fine,” they told her magnanimously. After two weeks of Alyssa’s “fretting,” their patience wore thin. “We really must have a decision,” they insisted. Laura would be leaving in a week

Alyssa had finally decided she would go with her mother. Sometimes her mother brushed her hair for her and read a bedtime story now and then. And sometimes her mother smiled at her and held her hand for a moment. However, the day before she announced her decision, her father brought a petite, quiet dog to his house. Alyssa immediately named him Treater, and there was love at first sight between the two. And thus, the week before her mother was to leave, Alyssa was the happiest she had ever been. Treater nestled with her, welcomed her home, played with her and lavished appreciation and affection. They both thrived. Alyssa could not bear to leave Treater and told her parents she would be staying with her father.

When Alyssa and her Father got home from the airport, she immediately ran for Treater before Mrs. Robinson even had time to remind her to take off her shoes. Her heartache at losing her mother was tempered with knowing she finally had an affectionate ally.

David looked down at the cheerful little dog. My allergies have flared up again the past few days, he thought. It must be that mutt. Obviously it would have to be returned tomorrow.

More Than An Absent Mind

This recent generation has certainly made my calling more challenging in some ways, but in others so much simpler.  I cannot tell you what my real name is, but I have been known by many names over time.   I cannot decide which is my favorite, perhaps "Imp".  Imp is a simple yet pleasant sounding name.   Much better than Menehune, Leprechaun, Fairy or the dozens of other names that have been used for such as I.  I have heard the stories and seen the images some have created to explain us, they are just imagination.  By irrevocable law we must remain elusive and invisible.  The children must never see or hear us in order for the test to be successful.

The test is the reason. The purpose of the time here.  Most do not realize it, for all are still children.  Sometimes your little ones seem to have a better grasp on what they are to accomplish.  It is sad to watch as you mature, you become confused as to who you are and why you are here.  There are "others" here who are determined to distract and confuse.  You agreed to the test.   Many preparations were made.  It is not like the tests in your schools.  You are examined on your knowledge but also on your responses.  Your responses to adversity. That is where I come in, Adversity 101.  Knowledge is a different department.

There are many of us here.  We each have a specialty, although we are all bound by the same rules.  When we create an adversity we must document the response immediately and then continue to monitor the rippling effects that are caused.  The adversities that we create are simple to track the purpose is known but the ones that you children create are difficult because many times purpose is lacking and they are the result of influence from the "others" who are trying to create chaos that will lead to failure of the test.  Unfortunately they are a very large and difficult group, but necessary to the whole test.  I mean, how can you have a test if there are no wrong answers. We have very simple guidelines.  We are never to give an adversity that the children are not able to handle.  We must understand that some adversities are given to strengthen the children for the future.  Help is only given when it is asked for.  We do not give grades but there are rewards for making the correct response.

I work in the minor test department.  I guess it is somewhat like the pop quiz that you have in your schools.   I work on the small day to day tests.  You children do not even realize that these small events are tests. For instance, I might hide the right shoe or left sock.  It may seem like that is not much of a test, but there are many variables that can make it a real test such as, stress levels, degree of happiness, and time restraints.  These can all have very serious effects on the response given.  I have witnessed little ones suffer fear and serious damage to their self esteem when their caretaker's response is rage over a lost shoe.  I have even witnessed some little ones being physically hurt!  A most distressing part of my calling!

There are documented many good responses too.  The "others" are not as successful as many in the world would have you believe.  Just today, a young mother was searching for an important document she needed that would save her struggling family a lot of money. She was frantically searching her home for the "missing" document.  I do not limit my tests to only shoes and socks.  I cannot say where it was, trade secrets and all, but her response was a joy to observe!  In tears, she dropped to her knees and with all sincerity asked Father for help.  At times like this there is a special light  that we can actually see.  It is glorious to behold!   Her need was so great that Father gave special permission for immediate help.  As she knelt there, with head bowed, I silently put the needed document next to her hand, sticking out of the sofa cushion.  I can be very stealthy when it is needed.   Imagine her response when she opened her eyes and saw the document right there!  She again "gave light" that brought joy to all our hearts and actually warmed the world, as she immediately acknowledged Father's help and gave thanks to Him.

Obviously her car keys will have to be returned before tomorrow!