Fralic Visit

One of Brenton's sweet sisters and family came to visit us a little over a week ago. Tons of fun!!! We played at the playground, watched movies, played games, grilled out, jacuzzied, ate at a hip pizza joint, the crew drove around NC while I worked, and we watched one of the Montreat Cavalier games from the sidelines. The Cavaliers have won the last three games in a row, including the one the fam and I watched. They're back! The boys are talented and it has been fun to see most all of them on the field again.


The Fralics were a wonderful vacation at our own home. It was nice to pull away from the norm and have such cool visitors. The kiddos were great and so grown up since the last time we saw them. Eden had a light-hearted, pleasant persona always go with the flow. Judah was a little rascal who had a sweet, flirtatious smile. If it's like the stories I've heard, he's a lot like B was as a kiddo.


Livers and Jer were just great company, wonderful siblings we wouldn't trade for anything... that is unless someone wants to pay us a million bucks to say otherwise. Love you guys!!!

The Lil' Willow (Part II)

As the storm raged on, Lil’ Willow noticed a small round critter moving in the distance. As it scurried closer, he saw it was a young lone ground hog. Willow greeted his friend with the wave of a branches and invited him under his cover. Baby ground hog’s eyes grew wide and he wobbled faster. In no time, baby ground hog had curled up in a tight ball, right against Lil’ Willow’s trunk. He chattered about all the water in his underground world and finding himself above ground, hoping no large birds would spot his movement to cover. “The wa-wa-water was so c-cold and I didn’t know what to do,” Baby ground hog shuttered.

Lil’ Willow comforted baby ground hog by drawing his branches closer and closer, providing full cover from any unwanted attention. And suddenly, out of no where, a familiar squirrel started squeaking into the drip, drop, drip, drop of the storm. “I found myself in these hills and all of a sudden the rain came. I was so frightened until I remembered you let me run up and down your trunk and branches a few days ago Lil’ Willow. Would you mind if I joined you; just one more day, please?!”

And the high-pitched squirrel quieted down upon the rustle of Li’ Willow’s leaves, finding a cozy crevice where the branches met Willow’s trunk. She twirled in a few circles to make her bed just right, waggling her puffy tail and fondly nuzzling Lil’ Willow’s trunk. She squeaked out a muffled, “Owe you” as her eyes slid shut.


And then, for a brief moment, a ray of hope shone through the clouds and Willow’s leaves sprung up with delight, whistling, “Hello” to the great Light. The wind picked up Lil’ Willow’s longest branch in one swift motion and Lil’ Willow waved a jubilant greeting to his greatly missed friend. Ironically, Lil’ Willow realized he had not been so lonely after all. In such a gloomy situation, he’d made four new friends; all still comforted by his presence.

“Greetings,” the loud bass of the great Light rumbled.

Lil’ Willow’s young voice replied, “I missed you Great Light! More than you will know.”

The Great Light delayed in reply as He tenderly said, “Son, I missed you too. You have no idea how much it means to me that you noticed our distance. I was lonely for you.”

Puzzled Lil’ Willow whispered to himself, “Why would the Great Light be lonely too; He is always warm, bright and He can see all things.”

The great Light heard Lil’ Willow and responded, “Lil’ Willow, why would I not be any more lonely than you; you are just a beautiful as all the other great things I see. I do not like to be separated by any of you lovely visions, as my soul longs for you. And what good is my light if is kept from those who need it most? My desire is for all of you to know and experience my joy!”

The Lil' Willow (Part I)

(A short story)

by: Kelly Benware

Unassuming and with great effort, the Lil’ Willow broke ground. An earthy smell greeted the Lil’ Willow as the dirt crumbled around all him. Stretching for the first time ever, Lil’ Willow pushed his branches forth, yet could not keep the feeble branches held high for long. He then wiggled his tiny branches and sprouts as a breeze wafted by. Free, refreshing … life bursting forth and, “My is that big Light bright,” he thought.

The Light came and went for the first time; Lil’ Willow learned pretty quick the pattern of the great Light. Joy sang forth as exuberant colors exploded in the sky and the Light kept Lil’ Willow warm during the day. When the Light went down, the wind picked up blowing Willow’s branches back and forth, back and forth. The swaying motion lulled Lil’ Willow to sleep. The wind sent chills down his trunk many nights, all the while Lil’ Willow anticipating the Light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow was a lone tree on one of many grassy rolling hills. The grassy hills continued as far as Lil’ Willow could see. There were the occasional birds and squirrels that enjoyed the company of Willow’s branches and shade, but really all Willow knew was the company of the Light. Not knowing any different about being alone, Lil’ Willow only knew true loneliness when the clouds crowded in and pushed out his only consistent friend.

As Lil’ Willow woke one morning, his leaves whistled a mighty yawn and shook out the heavy sleep that hung over. The Light had not come out again, as it had not for many days in a row now. Today a cold rain started to drip, drip, drip, drip, patter, patter, patter… and then it poured. Willow’s branches hung low from the weight of the rain drops. Drip, drop, drip, drop… Weariness started to settle over Lil’ Willow. “Why, must the clouds stay,” desperately whispered Lil’ Willow.

Lil’ Willow had begun to crave the Light since he had tasted it and knew it was good. Two sparrows perched on a branch and nestled close together near Lil’ Willow’s trunk. They too seemed too long for the warmth and freedom of the sun. Lil’ Willow heard the cries of the sparrows shivering together. He tried to help get them toasty warm by rustling his leave tightly around them. The sparrows chippered up and sang, “Thank you, thank you, thank you our new friend.”

To be Continued...