My Friends,
A little boy - Trevor - used to laugh so big w/ Uncle Ned when he'd catch me in intentional double-talk. I used to turn one hand over, hold 'em up, and tell the kids my hands didn't match. So, I could only clap backwards . . . back-to-back hands instead of palm-to-palm. I pulled a lot of old camp tricks and double-talk out of my own youth [swiping liberally from Victor Borge', Red Skelton, and Cousin Minnie Pearl]
I always enjoyed the monthly birthday time on The Puppet Factory . . . singing to kids each year as they grew. I first sang for Trevor when he was in Kindergarten - Miss Velma's class. Occasionally kids would write Uncle Ned a letter. Occasionally so did Trevor.
Comes a time in the life of a child [that odd stretch of 3 summer months between 6th & 7th grade: Elementary School to Jr. High] when the same kid who'd run up to me with the greatest knee & belt hugs imaginable would . . . in three short months . . . become to cool. Trevor never got too cool to be my Puppet Factory Pardner.
Each year, Pastor Dave Rolph [school principal] would take a large group of 8th graders to Washington D. C. They would begin to become aware in their growing-up minds of America . . . of her History . . . of those who sacrificed for her . . . and of her Freedom. The tour would end w/ a visit to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dave would select one boy and one girl to lay a wreath on behalf of Calvary Costa Mesa. One year, Dave chose Trevor and Allison.
According to Dave, as Trevor and his friend carried the wreath - the clicking and stepping of the guard detail resounding - Trevor's own steps became halting. He stopped . . . and just wide-eye looked around . . . taking it all in. Not just taking in what his eyes saw, but what his heart saw.
In high school, Trevor did all the things young boys do in high school. But, he also became involved in the drama department and the school plays. I provided the live underscoring for the plays. Each year, it was my joy to play Stomp & Circumstance as the kids entered for graduation ceremony.
[I'd usually jump into a little bit-o-blues as they left . . . . fast]
One year, this Christian boy strong in his Faith, who I'd known since Kindergarten graduated: Trevor
For reasons of his own - unchallengeable by me or any other person - Trevor joined the Marines.
I saw Trevor late last year. He told me how he made friends with the Iraqi kids by doing the Uncle Ned Clap and double-talk schtick.. Trevor opened doors we won't read about or hear about . . . one child's heart at a time - and children are the same the world over.
Tomorrow Pastor Dave will speak to his congregation of Courage. He will speak of many Biblical examples . . . and encourage . . . edify the people.
He will also speak of Trevor, who stepped on a landmine in Iraq. I found out only today.
This child, this Puppet Factory Pardner, this little boy, this big man . . . has run the race and finished well . . . with Faith and with Courage.
Trevor is home now with the Lord.
Uncle Ned
But Ya' Can't Look Back
When You're Movin' On
[Joshua 24:15]
__________________
I came to Love the Music
Before I came to Be
[Psalm 139:13]
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