I know many people who are not comfortable with their age. Not me. My age doesn’t bother me at all because I am thankful for the eras that I have experienced.
For one, I came of age in the 1980s. I loved the music and the styles. But, the first full decade I experienced was the 1970s. I started Kindergarten in 1970, so I spent all of my elementary school years in the ’70s.
What I remember most about that time were the fun fads.
When yoyos became popular, my dad bought one that I just loved. It was called a butterfly yoyo because its sides flared out at the edges. Best of all, there were lights that lit up in the sides of it when it reached the extension of the string.
And, of course, I had a mood ring. I also had a mood necklace and earrings.
Then there was a time when kites were popular.
My dad bought a kite that was plastic and inflatable. We would take it to Papaw’s cow field. As Dad ran across the field, the kite soared up to the sky. I was thrilled.
Then he would hand me the string and tried to show me how to maneuver it. Notice, I said, “tried.” Soon after the string was placed into my hands, the kite would come crashing down to the ground. I couldn’t get it to fly either. Instead, I drug the kite along the cow fields behind me.
Now that I think about it, maybe that’s why my dad bought a plastic one. Unlike the paper kites, he knew the plastic ones would survive a sudden drop from the sky or being bounced along the ground. On the bright side, it never got into cow squish.
One day I wanted to go to Mamaw and Papaw’s house next door. As I went out the back door, I grabbed my kite. Since it was a little windy out, maybe I would actually have luck getting my kite to fly.
After all, I was tired of feeling like Charlie Brown from the “Peanuts” comic books. In case you haven’t read them or seen any of the TV shows, Charlie Brown could never get his kite to fly. Instead, he would be wrapped up tight in the kite’s string. While I never experienced that, what could’ve happened to me would’ve been far worse.
For the first time, my kite few up into the air. I was so excited until it tangled up in the powerline. I don’t know how I managed to accomplish that, but I did. I yanked and pulled, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t untangle it. That wasn’t too wise on my part because it was the main powerline that lead to the house. At first, I was so focused on untangling my kite that I didn’t think about how much electricity was going through it. Finally. it dawned on me that I could get electrocuted.
“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Pslam 91:4 (KJV)
Looking back, the Lord definitely had me under his wing. I just didn’t realize it at the time. I bet if you could take a good look back over your life, you would be amazed how many times He had you under his wing. In fact, He still does. Think of it this way, even when you have no idea what is happening around you, God does.
Did I ever get the kite untangled? Nope. It came down on its own. I had rubbed a place in it while I was pulling on it. I guess the air inside it leaked out. Let me tell you, when my mom found out what I had done, she was almost as dangerous as the powerline.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.