While truly a tearful story, it’s also a story about happiness. True story. When I was dating my first wife we met a little girl one day that lived down the street. She was 5 years old with golden yellow hair, sky blue eyes and just exuberant about life. We would walk down the street to where she was playing and talk and play with her, usually several times a week. This went on for 9-10 months and we became attached to her and really looked forward to our meetings. Never met her parents or even saw them in all that time. Then on several walks one week we did not see her and also noticed her house was dark and the family car was gone. A couple of weeks later the car was back in the driveway but no little girl playing in the yard. We went and knocked on the door to inquire about Sharon, how she was doing and that we missed her. Her mother came to the door, we introduced ourselves, explained we had been visiting and playing with her, and missed her. Sharon’s mother’s eyes watered up with tears and she told us Sharon had leukemia and had passed away. They had gone back to their home (they were here for the husband’s work) to bury her in the family grave site. That little girl had brought us so much love and fun all the months we visited and played with her and not once did she ever let on she was sick. Joy comes in so many ways; one never knows and sometimes doesn’t recognize it till it’s too late and gone. As Robert always says-“just saying “.

I'm posting this on the Stage,not to make you sad,but to maybe make you cry,just a lil
this is a true story




She was six years old when I first met her on the beach

I drive to this beach,
,a distance of three or four miles,when ever it seems as if the world is closing in on me

She was building a sand castle or something,and she looked up at me with eyes as blue as the sea

'Hello "she said

I answered with a nod,not in the mood to be bothered by a small child

"I'm building"she said

I irritably answered her"I can see that",and really not caring,asked"What is it"?

"I really don't know "she replied"I just like the feel of the sand"

A sandpiper glided by just then and she exclaimed"Oh,that's a joy"

"It's a what?"I asked

"My Mommy says sandpipers come by to bring us joy"

The bird glided on down the beach,and I muttered "Goodbye joy and hello pain,and turned to walk on

I was depressed.My life seemed completely out of kilter

She followed me and asked"What's your name?"

"Robert"I said,"Robert Peterson

"Mine's Wendy,I'm six"

"Hi Wendy"

She giggled "You're funny"

In spite of my gloom I couldn't keep from smiling,and kept walking

Her musical giggle followed me

"Come back again Mr P"she called

"We will have another happy day'

The next few days consisted of a Troop of unruly Boy Scouts,PTA meetings ,and a very much ailing mother

The sun was shining one morning,when I thought "I need a sandpiper"

The ever changing seashore awaited me,though the breeze was chilly'I strode along,trying to recapture the serenity I craved

"Hello Mr P"she called."Will you play with me"?

I just said snidely'what kind of game do you want to play"?

"I don't know Mr P,you say"

I sarcastically replied"How about Charades">

The tinkling laughter burst forth'But I don't know what that is!"

Then let's just walk"

Looking at her I noticed the paleness of her face

"Where do you live Wendy"

"Over there"she said,pointing toward a row of Summer cottages.

Strange,I thought.It's winter time

"Where do you go to school"?

"Oh,I don't go to school,Mommy says we are on vacation"

She chattered little girl talk as we proceeded up the beach,but my mind was on other things when I left for home

Wendy hollered at me"It's been a happy day Mr P"

Three weeks later I rushed to the beach in a state of near panic.

I was in no mood to be bothered by a child

I felt like going to her mother and demanding her to keep her child at home

"Look if you don't mind Wendy"I said crossly"I'd rather be alone today",when she caught up with me

She seemed unusually pale and out of breath."Why"?she asked

"Because my mother died"I shouted.And I thought to myself'Why am I telling this little girl my troubles'?

"Oh"she quietly replied"Did it hurt you Mr P"?Then this is a bad day

"Yes I snarled ,today,yesterday,the day before,all are "bad days"

"OH,just go away little girl,and yes it hurt me deeply!!"

Wrapped in my grief I left Wendy and the beach

Three months later I returned to the beach,but there was no sign of Wendy

Guilty and ashamed of myself for the way I had talked to her,and admitting to my self that I missed her,I knocked on her cabin door

A young lady answered the door.

"Hello,I'm Robert Stevenson,I missed Wendy today,and I just wondered if she was okay"

"Oh,Mr Stevenson,please come in,Wendy has spoken so many times of her Mr P.I'm afraid I let her bother you,and I apologize for her being such a nuisance "

"Not at all.she is a delightful child"(and I suddenly realized that Wendy was just that)

With tears swelling in her eyes ,Wendy's mother said

"She passed away last month Mr Stevenson,Wendy had Leukemia,and I guess she just didn't tell you"

Stricken dumb,I groped for a chair and sat down.I was devastated

"She so loved this beach that when she begged to come back,I couldn't refuse her"the mother said

"She seemed so much better here,and had many of what she called "happy days",but then she declined rapidly"

Her voice faltered but she said"Wendy left something for you Mr Peterson,if I can find it", and she left me sitting there

I nodded stupidly,my mind racing for something to say to this mother who had lost her child

Then she returned and handed me a smeared envelope with Mr P written on it in childish letters

and in side was a drawing in crayon
---a yellow beach,a blue sea,and a brown bird

underneath was carefully printed---A sandpiper to bring you joy Mr P

Tears welled in my own eyes and a heart that had forgotten to love,opened wide

I took Wendy's mother in my arms"I"m so sorry,I'm so sorry"I uttered over and over,and we wept together

That precious drawing is now framed and hanging in my den

Words,one for each year of her life, that speak to me of harmony,courage,and undemanding love


A gift from a small child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand

who gave to me the gift of love

Note
again,this is a true story,sent to me by Robert Peterson

It happened over twenty years ago and it changed his life

It serves as a reminder that we should take time to enjoy each other,and to just enjoy our lives,

the price of hating others is unloving oneself

It is a reminder that we should all take time to smell the roses

Life is so complicated,the hustle and bustle can make us lose focus on what is truly important

Be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug,and by all means take time(if only ten seconds)to smell the roses

This came from Mr P's heart and I wanted to share it with you

everything that happens happens for a reason,there are no coincidences

Never brush aside anyone as insignificant!

Who knows what even a small child can teach us?

May god bless you and keep you
and
I wish you all a "sandpiper--a "happy day"