The Charlies in My Life
The Charlies show up at pivotal times in
my life to teach me important things.
They’re never aware of their impact on me
but the epiphanies they deliver are real.
It’s a pattern I’ve noticed.
my life to teach me important things.
They’re never aware of their impact on me
but the epiphanies they deliver are real.
It’s a pattern I’ve noticed.
Why does God send me Charlies
instead of Gabriels, Michaels, Bobs or Franks?
I don’t know.
You’ll have to ask Him.
The first Charlie dated my mother when I was 17.
He was a cowboy and a racist and a drunk.
Mom knew he was a cowboy when she met him.
She learned the rest of it later.
Charlie was charming and funny when he was sober
but if he had a glass of scotch in his hand you would
soon hear the story of how his father ripped the pocket
off a new shirt his sister had given him when
the dad spotted a pack of cigarettes in it.
Charlie left town
and never spoke to his father again.
But he re-lived that torn pocket with acrimony and tears
every time he finished a third glass of scotch.
I learned from Charlie
that bitterness is an acid that eats its container.
No matter what happens, get over it.
