Bear a Life Seasoned with Sage

By Carolyn Gill Davis

In this fictitious story it is rare for stuffed animals to have the wisdom as created by the author. Grandpa Koala is the wise stuff of the clan. He prays and plays. He scolds and loves. The stuffs are counseled by Grandpa Koala. The stuffs learned to balance their lives based on the sage that is seasoned with Grandpa Koalas wisdom. Even JB has to smile even though his turned down mouth can not. Tiger learns he can make his trip home on his own tracks. Over 30 stuffed animals in Ms. Stuffs collection will try to walk you through all kind of things that can happen in a lifetime. Ms. Stuff wants the reader to understand that there are all kind of things which should happen to them, just as there are those which should not happen. She hopes to help others avoid the disappointments, cruelty, moments of fear, or abandonment. The stuffed animals experience the highs and lows, the ups and the downs, the beautiful and the very ugly. In spite of the adversities of life they learn to hold the hand of God. As the readers read this story, it is hoped that they will learn to bear a life seasoned with sage. Remember the stuffs did not invent their wisdon it was handed down. Pass it on to others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 2, 2004
• ISBN: 9781462835393

Carolyn Gill Davis

Carolyn Suzanne Gill Davis (Baird/Jackson) was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to California two years after she graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. She received her Master of Arts Degree from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. She retired after 38 years in the field of social work and education and moved back home. She is the mother of one daughter, grandmother of eight grandchildren and great grandmother of one great grandson. She is the author of The Fall of My Beginning and Bear a Life Seasoned with Sage. Carolyn enjoys traveling, needle work, photography, and a collection of stuffed animals. She is active in church and many organizations. Ms. Davis wrote: My stimulant to write is motivated by life. Life is a road of mountains, valleys, and level plains. Which are orchestrated by the great conductor GOD.

Book preview

Rover, Number One Greatest

I know I’m ‘cutie pie.’ I was made overseas for all the children of the world. At least that is what is written on my tag. My tag hangs from a gold chain. The tag is orange with gold letters. No one is ever going to be better than me. I even have a pocket for a battery. When one of those two- legged creatures turns me on, I bark and walk. My tail and ears are brown. I have a perfect tail. It sticks straight out to a point. My tail wags as I walk and bark. I am the best of the best. There will be no one to top me. My body is a creamy tan. No one will ever see more adorable eyes than I have. My eyes are light orange, with dark brown centers. My nose sticks up toward the sky. I don’t have to smell stuff here below. Did I tell you my ears are floppy and almost cuter than me?

Back in 1975 I came to live with Ms. Stuff. Mr. Stuff brought me home and gave me to Ms. Stuff. I knew she instantly fell in love with me. But I also knew that a long time ago, she didn’t like dogs. I looked around. There were no other stuffed animals any place in the house. I felt like the king of the roost and ruler of all. What a house! What a life!

At first I didn’t have any one to rule because I was alone. I soon learned to watch television and listen to music. All Ms. Stuff talked about was her students and her trips, except one day, I looked out the window and saw a brown and white thing running around. Oh no! There’s a bow-wow out there. The people in the house gave her food and water. I soon learned it was called Princess and was a live dog. I only got attention if my battery is turned on. Maybe I wasn’t the king after all.

I walked all over the house. There were no other ‘stuffs’ around. Their daughter used to have lots of ‘stuffs,’ but was not living at home. She had taken all her ‘stuffs’ with her. I sat on an empty shelf where I could see everything and hear everything, too.

I didn’t have anyone to talk to. So I talked to myself and I listened. When Ms. Stuff was growing up, she was like an only child. She had an imaginary friend she called Playmate. I did not want a friend. I wanted to be alone and not have to be bothered with other ‘stuffs.’

I wanted to be the first Rover. But I couldn’t be. Ms. Stuff had a rubber dog when she was of pre-school age. As that old Rover grew older, he developed holes, big one, little ones. The silly old fool soon was flat and Ms. Stuff threw him out.

The house was even emptier when Ms. Stuff and her husband went on trips. Why couldn’t they take me on the airplane, car, and their motor home? I felt sad because they left me at home to watch the house. Who wants to be just a watchdog?

Three years before I came here, they went on a motor home trip for a month. They rode all across Canada from Vancouver to north of North Dakota. While they were gone, someone broke into their home. I was still living overseas.

This break-in would have never happened if I had been living here. I am the greatest! I would have knocked out whoever it was, before they got in.

They lost many things. What hurt most was losing an 18- carat gold watch given to Ms. Stuff by her mother. Her mother and father had vacationed in Europe and bought her the watch from Switzerland. Ms. Stuff was so unhappy, she cried for days.

Now when they leave, I turn on the alarm and I help keep the house safe. I even built a box to catch all the mail. They don’t have to stop their mail while they’re gone. Now I know you now believe I am the greatest ‘stuff.’

I can get a little unhappy, too. They took that Princess dog with them on several camping trips. She came back trying to ignore me. I didn’t care because I had clean feet, I stood tall on my shelf, and I lived in the big house. I had heard that ‘stuffs’ that live in the big house are better than those that live in small houses outside.

Because I was wearing a tag that said I was meant for the children, I began to wonder where the children were. There certainly weren’t any living in this house. Then one day there was a knock at the door. In came a child about one year-old.

Give me my granddaughter. She is so cute. Look how she has grown, said Ms. Stuff.

Let me hold her too. Wow, she’s a bundle of joy, replied Mr. Stuff.

We haven’t seen her for almost six months. I can’t believe my eyes. And daughter, how are you? asked Ms. Stuff.

I’m fine. I’m taking some classes at the university. My husband is going to school too. We share our time baby sitting and going to school. I still want to be a medical doctor. I didn’t take all the classes I should have when I was in college, replied Ms. Daughter.

By the way, where is Mr. Son-In-Law? asked Ms. Stuff.

He went by to see his brother and will come back and pick us up. We are going to stay at his father’s house while we are visiting. His stepmother is home all day and has time to visit with us. We’ll come back over here, when you are home from work, said Ms. Daughter.

Well, they talked a long time before Mr. Son-In-Law came back for his family. Now I knew what a ‘children’ was. Little granddaughter didn’t talk much. What she said, I couldn’t understand. She was really a cute chubby kid. I even wished she would stay here while they visited. Her family was living in northern California.

As things changed, so would my life. I was soon to learn I was not the only ‘stuff to live in the big house. In 1984 a peculiar looking Koala Bear moved in. It was just after the Christmas holidays. In moved this ugly, funny looking and obnoxious creature. I was not going to let him take my place. He started off trying to tell me who was going to be the boss. I yelled and fussed back. He then said the strangest thing I had ever heard.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we are all going to love everybody. Teach us not to be vain and love ourselves more than others do. We must learn to love You first and than all our brothers and sisters. Help Rover to learn humility and become a caring member of this household. Amen, said Grandpa Koala.

After that, Grandpa Koala explained to me that he was not better than me. He had become wiser after many years as a student learning about life at a religious school. From than on, I never decided to act like I was the number one greatest. I’d watch and listen to Grandpa Koala. I bet I’d learn a lot more things.

Allow Selfishness?

I want to get something new. I want to go everywhere. I want to dress the best. I want to. I want to?

Too much stuff Will weigh you down. Is this not called selfishness? Do we really need everything?

Look around and you will see, God gave you more than you need. Trees, air, and birds that sing. Grass green, water, and, sky blue.

As I ride, I think and write. Yes, a note pad in the car. Greediness is selfishness. Share God’s gifts with others.

Millionaire

I awoke and saw the sun. Look at all that I have won. I don’t need to be a millionaire. Thank God, I was born that way.

Anticipate a day that is cold. My wealth will keep me warm. It will save me from the chilly day That might do harm to me.

With prayer and concentration, I’m blessed to see the sun. Can’t imagine life without it. It gives us all the fun.

Get up my child, And go your way. You were born rich. God made it ‘that a’ way

Grandpa Koala

You have kept me quiet long enough. I’m going to speak out. I remember leaving Indianapolis and moving to Carson, California. Who told you that I wanted to leave? said Grandpa Koala.

I just couldn’t resist you. You were so adorable and I had to take you home with me, said Ms. Stuff.

She thought I was adorable! What a lucky old bear!

It was during the Christmas holidays, on one of her many visits home to see her parents. Her mother had passed five years ago. She said she wanted to see how her father and stepmother were getting along. Since she loved to shop, she said she needed something that she didn’t have. There was a Koala bear looking at her. Me! Lucky me!

Now that I have to live in California, I am going to make sure everyone understands who and what I am. What is that four-legged thing? Oh, it’s a dog. Rover? What kind of a name is that? said Koala.

Rover didn’t say a word, but just barked. His batteries had to be good. What was all this? He could even move and walk around. Koala said he had never seen anything like that before.

I don’t care who or what comes to live here. I will be the grandpa of the clan. I’ve learned a lot in my 50 years. No one will ever tell me what to do or say, stated Grandpa Koala. And I won’t try to lord over them. It doesn’t work.

Rover interrupted. I was given to Ms. Stuff almost ten years ago. I don’t think I’m going to like you. You look nothing like me. You don’t act anything like me. I only like things that are like me, stated Rover very sarcastically.

Grandpa Koala decided not to fight. He determined to stay on the shelf by himself while Rover looked the other way. That kept the peace for another year. When Christmas came again, Ms. Stuff made another trip to Indianapolis. She told Rover and Grandpa Koala what had happened.

One night she had dinner with some friends. There in the window of a store in the mall, sat this adorable, white, fluffy, handsome teddy bear. Yes, she let them know that she had to take him home. His name was Christopher Bear White.

Grandpa Koala threw up his paws. I’m shocked to see another bear. I’m going to like him. I’m going to be the guiding influence for Rover and Christopher Bear White. I plan to keep everyone happy and content. Isn’t that’s what a grandpa is for?" He spoke to Christopher Bear White.

I will help you to adjust to your new home. Let me know if there is anything you want or need, said Grandpa Koala.

May I have a glass of water, please? asked Christopher Bear White.

Get it yourself, was Grandpa Koala’s reply. Christopher Bear White became very sad and began to cry.

Don’t cry, said Rover. He didn’t like me when he first arrived because I was not a bear. I didn’t like him either. He’ll be all right after awhile. Just give him a little time. You’ve got to have patience with him.

After a while Grandpa began to spend more time with Christopher Bear White. He taught him to play checkers. He taught Rover too. The three stuffed animals acted like they were having a good time together. Guess what happened next?

Yes, Ms. Stuff took another of those Christmas trips to Indianapolis, a holiday for fun. This time she found and brought home another bear. Pandy was a panda. She was black and white. Grandpa Koala didn’t know what to do or think. This was really a new twist. Grandpa Koala was brown. Christopher Bear White was, of course, white. Pandy was a mixture of black and white.

A mixed teddy! Where am I going to put her? She doesn’t fit in any place. I’ve got to figure this out and quick. There might be others where this one came from. I’ll have to make up some rules. But, what will they be? It will take a lot of wisdom. I’ll need some help. stated Grandpa Koala.

That night while they were all asleep, they felt a slight earthquake. Grandpa Koala fell on his knees. A prayer came from his mouth. He could begin to see an answer. Ms. Stuff asked him, How did you end on your knees? I didn’t feel an earthquake because I was asleep.

Grandpa Koala told the other stuffs to kneel down on the floor. He told them, We will all get along together. It doesn’t make any difference what color you are. We are all stuffed animals. It doesn’t make any difference if we are bears or dogs. We will get along together. We have to treat each other with kindness and love. If you have a problem, come to me. I will try to help you, explained Grandpa Koala. I’ve always wanted to be wise. I want to help others see what is best for them.

Grandpa Koala said he liked to share his knowledge and wisdom instead of keeping it to himself. He began to tell everyone that he had to learn to cope with life.

They think I don’t have a brain. But I’ll show them how to make the right choice. Everyone has a brain. Everyone has the power to make a right choice.

Down We Come

Bumpy is getting you ready for trouble, Layers of clouds, plane at an angle. Then levels off, no closer to the ground. As we descend, engines gets quiet.

Wheels come down, cars, trees, below.

Still no people that I can see, we’re up too high.

Roof tops, house all more clear.

Water, rivers, lakes, and swimming pools.

Landing pad, people, down we come. Roar of engines, now coasting to a stop Taxing to our gate, engines roar quieter now. Long ride to reach the end.

Life can be bumpy and troubles move slowly. No matter how your life leads you, The troubles will come down. Just as the jet airplanes do.

Safe landing, we came down just fine. Because God was waiting there for us. The will of God roars like the engines do. He makes His presence known to all.

I had the faith and fortitude, To trust and believe He would Give me the strength I knew He could, Because I flew behind the wings of God.

New Everlasting News

Some will survive,

Others not.

Throw away the old,

Save the new.

Newness brings freshness.

Save the new

For all of us to see.

‘Tis God’s will You will see.

The contrast between the Old and the new. Between that old life, And God’s Everlasting new.

Christopher Bear White

Grandpa Koala asked the white bear to tell the others about himself.

"I was born a slave on a plantation in the Deep South. It was in Antarctica. It was very cold there. My parents called me Christopher Bear White. Everything around me was white. I wasn’t