Echo-Foxtrot (17 page)
She paused. “Seriously. It began with Jim leaving to find his parents. Bill and Di were caught up in the Philippines tsunami and when the search for them was called off, Jim went looking for them. Staci and I stowed away and many things went wrong because of that. We learnt the hard way that running away doesn't solve problems. It just creates bigger ones. However, our story has a happy ending. We found Ailsa and we brought together two people who would otherwise never have met. So let's raise our glasses and drink a toast to the bride and groom.”
“The bride and groom,” came the response.
Lou looked at Jack. “And I just have one more thing to say to you⦔ She paused for effect, hoping he'd like his wedding present. “Dad⦔
Jack's eyes widened in delight and his smile turned into a full grin. “What's that, daughter?”
“You better look after Mum or else.”
“Or else what?”
She winked. “I might run away again⦔
Jack and Mum burst out laughing.
Lou grinned. “Oh, and Jim wanted the final word. As always.”
Jim got to his feet. “We know you said you didn't want a honeymoon, but we decided you should. You need to start your marriage on your own, rather than here with us. We're quite happy to lock ourselves in our rooms if you don't trust us not to run away. Failing that, Mum and Dad will stay until you get back.” He paused and reached into his jacket pocket. He handed Jack an envelope. “This is from all of us.”
Jack gave it to Mum. “Did you know about this, Nicky?”
“No.” She opened the envelope and took out airline tickets. She opened them. “Two-weeks, all-expenses-paid trip to La Palma,” she said. “Thank you, but you shouldn't have.”
“Yes, we should,” Lou said.
Jack smiled. “Thank you. We're not packed though,” he said.
Lou grinned. “Yes, you are,” she said. “Suitcases are in the car. Change of clothes is in the car as well. We are experts in secrets. Bill said he'll drive you to the airport after the reception.”
Mum looked at Bill.
He grinned. “Don't worry about the kids. They won't even breathe without permission the whole two weeks.”
22
First officers' log 30/09 point 23
This is the final entry. Mum and Jack, who shall be known henceforth as Dad, have left for their honeymoon. Bill and Di are staying here with us until they get back. It was either that or we promised to lock ourselves in our rooms and not move. Which wouldn't be much fun. Even if it is safer than going outside.
I'm going to keep my promise and see Dr. Andrews or whatever counselor she wants. Not sure talking about stuff will help, but I said I'd try.
I said I'd put Staci's poem in here and Jack's, sorry, Dad's, long list of verses that he and Jim read to me in the hospital. Both make a fitting end to our story. We've come a long way in the past year and a half.
Running away doesn't solve anything. Nor does ignoring God. It's no good telling God how big the storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is. 'Cause whatever your problem, God's got an answer for it.
Here's Staci's poem. Left as she wrote it, with her comments, lack of punctuation, etc. She called it “Island in the Sun.”
There is a little island,
Right out in the sea,
400 miles from Guam,
Or so they're telling me.
There also are three children
Staci, Jim, and Lou,
And we can't forget the dog
That just wouldn't do.
Jim and Staci's parents
Got lost in a tsunami
Jim went to go and find them
The others stowed away.
They all set sail on board Jim's boat
A little one called
Avon
And so far away they sailed
Towards their final destination.
Before they'd even left the docks
A police boat exploded.
Lou jumped in and saved three lives
Despite Jim trying to stop her.
They had to stop in Cornwall
More food they had to buy
There Lou met Jack, an American chap
And a very good-looking guy.
(Just don't tell Jack, his head is big enough as it is)
They went to La Palma
Lou's birthday on the way
With party games and chocolate cake
It was a lovely day.
Once they left disaster struck
Staci fell off a chair
She gave a shout, knocked herself out
And got tied to the bed for days.
Meanwhile a hurricane blew up
Erika by name
Mean and nasty, big and strong
She tossed the boat with wind and wave
Broke mast and windows and the deck
Plunged
Avon
'neath the waters deep
Till crew unconscious, boat adrift
An angel did them save.
(And I know that's too many words but tough.)
On Grand Turk, repairs were done
And they saw Jack again â
The American chap and very good-looking guy
By the time the boat was fit to sail
Another month had gone.
Through the Panama Canal
Quite an experience
Pulling ropes to guide the boat
Through locks to the Pacific.
(I know that doesn't rhyme, but I couldn't find one.)
Jim and Lou went fishing
One hot summer's day
Lou got attacked by a shark
And I don't know what to say.
Jim jumped to her rescue
And saved her from the shark
The dog was worried and alarmed
So it began to bark.
Lou was ill for many weeks
And then she changed the course
From the Philippines to Kiribati
She insisted that they go.
Then once again fate stepped in
Lou changed their course again
Jim fell asleep, the autopilot off so
They hit the rocks off Agrihan
Things would never be the same again.
Avon
was sinking
Down, down, down
Down to see the fishes
Down below the sea
Down to see King Neptune
Away from you and me.
Goodbye, goodbye to
Avon
A final fond farewell
But we shan't forget you
Others we shall tell
Of how you brought us safely
Through wind and wave and storm
Our finest friend the
Avon
For almost six months our home.
They made the shore and set up camp
The first night they did spend
Beneath the stars, the dog on guard
As they slept upon the sand.
They found a temple and camped in there
That was a big mistake
The natives took exception to them
Staying there and locked them up.
(And that doesn't really work either but I defy anyone to do it better.)
They made a friend, a village girl
She said her name was Ailsa
She set them free, showed them to where
Staying would be safer.
They journeyed on all five of them,
As Ailsa joined them too
In search of the American base
Where help they hoped to find.
(Don't say itâI know.)
The tremors grew in strength and then
The volcano blew its top.
For several days the lava fell
It turned the sky blood-red.
Jim said that we should call it Lou,
She said it was more like him.
But we didn't do either, the jokes wore thin
And we headed back onto the base.
At Christmastime, a forest fire
Put paid to all their plans
They helped a village in the path
Of flames and saved the day.
They stayed there for a week or so
While Lou's leg had a chance to heal
Learnt the language, taught theirs in return
A fair and honest deal.
Then they journeyed on
But dark times did strike
As Deefer Lou's best friend
Gave his life in place of hers.
Deefer, how we miss you
The way you wag your tail and bark
The way you made us as wet as you
Whenever you had a bath
Not that that was often
Unless Jim threw you overboard
We left you above the beach where
You guided us safe to
Our journey's end, the Air Force base
Just below your final resting place.
They called for help
And help did come, an unexpected form
For it was Jack, the American chap
And very good-looking guy.
We were met by our parents
All of them, alive and well
YAY (big smiley face here)
Who grounded us for the rest of our lives
Not yay (big sad face here)
They spent a few days on the base
At Guam, Lou spent six weeks
Things turned out well in the end
As Jack married Lou's mum
And they now live on Guam
In a house big enough for us all
When Mum and Dad are away.
So this is the end of my poem
See, running away doesn't pay
The price is paid by the other folk
You leave behind that day.
We learnt a lot the hard way
But we learnt the lesson well
We shan't be doing that again
No matter what life may bring.
There is a little island
Right out in the sea
400 miles from Guam
Or so they're telling me.
Anyway, on to Jack, Dad's, list of Bible verses.
Romans 5:8âBut God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:10âThis is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Lamentations 3:22â23âBecause of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:32â33âThough He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Isaiah 38:17âSurely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.
Matthew 11:28âCome to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Acts 2:21âEveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
1 Peter 5:7âCast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
Ephesians 2:4â5âBut because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsâit is by grace you have been saved.
1 Timothy 1:15âChrist Jesus came into the world to save sinnersâof whom I am the worst.
Romans 3:23âFor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23âFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Joel 2:32âAnd everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Deuteronomy 30:11â20âNow what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Debating how to end this. Do I draw a nice big picture for Jim, a few squiggles, or a big fancy
The End
, orâ¦Oh, I knowâ¦the perfect way to end a logbook.
Bye.
Waves.
See ya.
Only kidding.
Gonna end with my fave Bible verse.
Psalm 107:28â30âThen they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven.
Bet ya thought I'd goneâ¦Nope.
The Endâ¦
Thank youâ¦
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