Raised on drift wood
Sand and salt,
Come a flood of
Hopes and dreams.
In the mind’s eye,
The crowds, happiness
Joy, and excitement
Salt air and sea
Sunburned and free
Scalding days,
And the coolness of summer’s eve.
Bountiful childhood dreams
The gift of a happy life
Given to me by them
Then that are no more
The gift I hope to leave
To me and mine,
Summers in the sun
Summers on mountain peaks,
Summers in the sand.
And although gone now
In the heart and in the mind
Forever there.
Paula Hines
This story was written a number of years ago for Colton, who loved saltines.
Once upon a time, there lived a boy named Colton. He had a special wish. When he wished upon a star, or threw a coin in a fountain or blew out his birthday candles, he made the same wish. His special wish: he wanted to fly.
One cold winter’s night, the north wind whistled around the corner of his house and rattled the window panes. Colton was nestled warm and snug in his bed. Suddenly he heard what he thought was a chirp. It seemed to come from the folds of the comforter. There it was again.
Colton shook his covers and a tiny bird alighted on his pajamas’ sleeve. “If you want to fly” says the bird softly, “come and join me on my journey. I have far to go.” Colton jumped down from his bed, grabbed his knapsack, put on a wool sweater and warm socks. He took two books, an extra sweater and some saltines in case he should get hungry.
He had no sooner flung the knapsack on his back when the little bird flew out the window pulling him along. Colton was flabbergasted to see himself flying swiftly through the air.