Sometimes, it’s the small things in life that cause us the most pain. Maybe it’s because those things are so small that we find it easy to ignore them, not realizing those little things will pile up and one day change who we are.
For example, one day Frank was running late for work. This was years before he landed his crappy job at Happy Place Toys. Before that, he had worked at the local paper, writing trite articles about local politicians and award winning squash plants. But Frank took his job seriously, ensuring that his readers got the very best articles on freakishly giant squash and disturbingly short politicians. After a few years, Frank’s dream came true and he was offered a job as an editor for Life and Music Today, a classy magazine based in Frank’s hometown of Manchester, Tennessee. Frank never had any musical talent, but he had an oddly strong connection to music. It made him feel alive. So Frank was one of those rare guys who could actually tell you that he loved his job, and you knew he meant it. But on one particular Wednesday, Frank was distracted and hurried. Perhaps due to his distractedness, Frank ran over a cat. It was probably a stray, but Frank felt terrible. What if the cat belonged to some kid? After all, Frank was about to be a dad, and he was always extra sensitive about these kinds of things. He felt so bad that he decided to call his wife, Angela. Normally, Angela would have comforted Frank, telling him it wasn’t his fault and that he was a good man. This time, possibly thanks to the pregnancy playing cruel games with her emotions, Angela started crying and accused Frank of being careless. After that, Frank often thought twice before admitting anything he felt guilty about to his wife. It’s the little things that change us.
Or a better example might be that one Sunday after church, when Frank overheard sweet Mrs. Betty Dupree talking about how he must have a tight rope on his wife, because “you just never see poor Angela smiling”. Frank was hurt by this, and he wondered if everyone thought he wasn't good to his wife. In reality, Angela always felt blessed with Frank by her side. He treated her like the queen of a small country and never once really lost his cool with her, not the way most men do after spending a few years with the same woman. Angela was just more of a thinker than most the other young women at church, and thinkers don't smile as much, not on the outside anyways. Still, after Betty Dupree’s comments, Frank always felt awkward when people asked about his wife. He forgot why he felt awkward and eventually forgot about Betty's careless comments, but that little thing changed Frank.
However, dear reader, it was no little thing that created the Frank you have come to know. Heavens no, that took a very big thing indeed.
To be continued in chapter 3...
3 comments:
Interesting thought - that thinkers don't smile so much. I can see that, actually.
Sometimes quiet people are misunderstood because they are deep in thought or maybe struggling with feelings of shyness. That can make them seem standoffish or unhappy.
On the other hand, someone who smiles a lot may seem especially nice but does that mean they are?
Frank seems as if he may be a bit misunderstood. I think I see some compassion lurking beneath his grumpy exterior.
Why do people have to be so complex?
I believe our complexities prove that God has a sense of humor. I see Him thinking: "These people I've created really could just tell each other how they feel and find happiness and go on with their lives, but it's fun watching them play these silly games with eachother for a few years first!"
I'm digging old frank though I can see some things....Hmmmm I'll half to ask about those directly....And I see your Frank and raze you Ana..she's the one that will be me throwing the cats at kids....the things we talked about no one will ever understand...though you have a nack for the written word you know that...
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