THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 - THE WARRIOR IS A CHILD

 THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 - BIRTHDAY

Yes, it is my birthday. 76 years old.  

I like birthdays.  But, as I write this, I’m less sure.  

I’ve been watching (and commenting) on aging for a few years.  I’m not sure if 76 is “old” or not.  Age is just a number.  Change happens.  Life moves on. And life moves on with or without you.

Somehow, I’ve thought about an old song - that most of us know - Puff the Magic Dragon.

Here are two stanzas:

A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys

Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys

One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more

And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar

His head was bent in sorrow; green scales fell like rain

Puff no longer went to play along the Cherry lane

Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave

So Puff, that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave

*****

Jackie Paper isn’t going to come to Karen’s birthday party today.  Today, Karen, that mighty dragon, will sadly slip into her cave. (and eventually into her grave).

I have to keep strong - but my mind and body are not as strong anymore.  I’ve let them slip.  And, today, as I write, I’m melancholy. 

So, it is time to walk a mile and let my mind heal.

Karen - who knows that love does win and, God is love and that love transforms people - is missing her family.  There will not be any birthday cards from my son or daughter in my mailbox today; there will be no phone calls from grandchildren today.  C’mon Karen, life is not about you!!! . Put on your “big girl panties” - and go out and LOVE EVERYBODY today.

Karen reverts to “Bruce” occasionally - to the ego that overwhelmed and “killed” off “Bruce.”  I’m looking at my poster from Micah 6:8 - that I am to love justice, show mercy, and walk humbly with God.  “Bruce” didn’t want to be humble or humbled. “Bruce” was always in the limelight. Karen wants to be a servant - in the background, serving.

Karen wants the verse “He must increase, and I must decrease” (John the Baptist talking about Jesus) to be true.  I’m on my way to death.  I must decrease, and God must increase.  Stop wanting to be bigshot “Bruce.” 

And another song - this time by Twila Paris - “The Warrior is a Child.”

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down

They don't know who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

'Cause deep inside this armor

The warrior is a child

*****

I will enjoy my birthday.

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!!!

Karen White, ©, August 24, 2023 

(Shoo ego - get out of here.  Ego gets in the way; ego causes hurts and division; ego doesn’t like love)

Postscript:  I wrote this earlier this week - thinking I would revise it.  It is 4:30 a.m. on August 24th, 2023 - “Quit your bellyaching, go out and live love” -  and I will.  “He (Jesus) must increase, and I (Karen) must decrease.”