"ICE"~ and the Rugrats of God

When a MIRACLE is the only way out....

 

During my daughters rugrat years, I ran with a daily posse of assorted nephews, nieces and  tag-a-longs.  ,times for a then single parent, working two nowhere jobs ,were financially lean.  Constantly ,I searched for inexpensive adventures and activities.

That Christmas I gave my five year old,Nicole a pair of double-bladed skates with red&white checkerd laces, which she proudly hobbled around the living room in regularly until I promised to take her to the rink.

 

The neighboring town charged $1.00 a head ,to skate at their local High School rink for a two hr stint.Now a 2 hr stint may seem not long to you, but do it with five kids under the age of eight (four of which are boys) ,then ...talk to me.

All seemed well, as the boys zoomed around the rink with alarming speed. 

 

The first hour I spent skating backwards, holding both Nics' hands, finally weaning her, to holding only one hand, and skating forward.  She announced that she wanted to skate with the boys " all by herself."  My back was killing me so I was more than ready. 

 

 

Now, Nic to this day is no athlete, despite the fact she climbed every dresser in the house, and ran ,e-v-e-r-where,

both inside and out ! With a hundred percent ice-to -rump ratio, she was soon reduced to a mucousey Mess ,balled up on the ice crying her eyes out. My nephews skated in circles around us in concern.  All but the youngest (six months her senior) ,who jumped on the opportunity to tease her. My kids were the only little brown and black people at the rink, so we became quite the suburban spectacle.

 

Multiple hugs and a little nose blowing later, I coaxed and  observed her next few solo attempts.  I couldn't help but notice she kept her eyes focused down at the ice between her skates.  Sure enough, that is just where she wound up each time, rump on the ice. 

 

 

" Looking down at where you are ...isn't gonna help ya any, Look ahead ...at where ya wanna be,and, hold that head up "!  I said. 

 

Nic fell maybe twice more before we left.  She even drew some admiration and smiles from the Caucasian Rink Monitors.

 

I believe in shooting for the stars, worst-case scenario being to hit the moon.  More than once ,I've borrowed office attire or accessories from a friend and landed a job.(Dress for the job you want not the job you have.)  It's not about the stars ,or the clothes.

 It is about the faith to see ourselves there.

 

Nicole is now completing her freshmen year at Bethune Cookman University ,on a full academic scholarship she never even applied for. She made the Deans list and managed nearly a 4.0.

  Many had doomed her to the streets, teen pregnancy, or some other " mixed child of a single parent" statistic.

 

Despite being accepted at all her schools of choice,she cried in despair two months before her tuition deadline. We were on basically a  food stamp budget,struggling to support four kids with my one job. Believing God had something up his sleeve, I was bold enough to throw a big "picnic / going away party", announcing when we had to leave Connecticut to have her on campus in Florida.

Things looked grim as our financials spiraled further downward. 

 

" I'm not going to college."  She announced , teary eyed one afternoon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" Where are we gonna get that kind of money? "  Nic snapped. 

 

 

I pulled her down into the chair beside me and reminded her of the skating rink and that she'd done the work...all that was required on her part in making high honors without exception all through school... that she was saved and had every right to expect God to move on her behalf.  Smiling but still doubtful, she plodded upstairs to pack.

 

.  My taxes were done so late; Bethune hadn't even received her FAFSA with any information yet.  What came in the mail three days later? , a letter offering her a full (I do mean FULL) academic Scholarship....that she had not even applied for.Talk about grace, and favor !!!!

 

Fifteen years have passed since the day at the rink and only three since she gave her life to God.

Nicole is not perfect, "her rump still hits ice" now and again, if you know what I mean.  She now operates in faith during crisis, and is at peace in turmoil.  She is rarely moved by the odds, circumstances, or popular opinion.Her peers turn to her in their distress as a confidant and a conduit of hope.  They know for a fact that she turns to God.

 

 

 

© Copyright 2007 J. Hampton  bythe wurd @yahoo.com         3/7/2007 @ 4:06 pm        

 

Ice and The Black Rugrats of God

 

~Psalm 121:1-3  ~ I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord of Heaven and Earth.  He will not let your foot slip.  He who watches over you will not slumber.

"Stop your cryin' and start packing like you paln to get there  !" I said. 

Author's Note

retreived from somewhere...lost all edits...I'll fix this later....hate mis matched text editors and versions of word...arrrrrrgh

Reviews

[Ama May Cooper]

That was amazing!.. so sweet and so caring .. the sensation of underlying love flowling thru my system just reading it.
You portray this situation with utter beauty i loved your tale and i love teh way you portrayed the struggle

[Rain]

Omigod..
This was such a beautifully written, funny, poignant, inspirational piece, I got chills(not from falling on the ice) just reading it. It strengthens my faith , which is in big time need of strengthening. What a wonderful story. Both my boy grandchildren are bi-racial. You can see them on video at MySpace. My son married..no lived with a black girl in Wichita. We are in a custody battle now. She won't even let us talk to them on the phone, and we love each other so much. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this wonderful part of your life. I loved it!! Love Rain..

[~ Tex]

You are always cracking me up! I have no idea when you find time to even write about all of this stuff!

[Brooklyn Darkchild]

YOU are a SCREAM. This story is so warm and witty, it feels like home. And with phrases like: "...a hundred percent ice-to- rump ratio..." it's a rich verbal tapestry. I've got nine kids, six of them boys. In 1997 I relocated from the Bronx to a Cincinnati suburb so the ice skating scene came alive for me. The most important thing you've conveyed however, is an iron-clad belief that "God will never leave you nor forsake you." You did this not by being preachy but through your real-life testimony. And your incredible writing skill.
You ARE Blessed!
DC
PS: All you really need is an editor.
I'm available.

[Thad Presley]

This story is a perfect example of why God is God; He knows all, is all, and He gives all. My favorite line was this:"I believe in shooting for the stars, worst-case scenario being, to hit the moon." May God Bless You Everyday,

[M J Moore]

Aww, too cute!

I wish I could ice skate!

You have to keep on keepin' on. Go with God and go with light.

what a cute and inspirational story!

[Kairi Alia]

121:1-3 ~ I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber.

amazing ending!

[Mr. Deft Diction]

Takes a lot of strength....

I'm touched.

GREAT read!

[Memnoch]

This was great!!! A mix between poetry and story. I loved it and am a firm believer in God. He will not give us more than we can bear. Right? Well I have read enough to know that your a pretty good writer and I hope to be put on you buddy list. Thanks for sharring.
Kelley Frost

[Bubo]

Beautiful story of hardship ......and what shines through is the love and determination!
My daughter LOVED the Rugrats!!
I enjoyed reading this .......it had great feeling x