The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

“God is, every moment, totally aware of each one of us. Totally aware

in intense concentration and love.”

-- Eugenia Price

“Daddy, I have a headache in my foot,” a bundled-up little boy said to

his father. The father chuckled and said, “I’ll loosen your ski boot and

give you a kiss to keep away all aches, how would that be little buddy?”

“How do you always know what I need?” the boy asked. “Well son, I

don’t always know, but I try,” the father said.

I looked back at them as I sat down on a chair lift, and the little

boy practically danced as he moved forward for the next chair.

“Dad knew just what he needed,” I said to the young woman next to me.

She agreed and explained that she came from the East Coast to ski with

her family.

“I started a real job and don’t see them much,” she said. “My parents

and brother fly in this afternoon. I hadn’t realized how much I’ve

missed them until lately. I’m the one who moved away, but I’m looking

forward to having my parents look out for me again for a few days.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” I said. “My sister and I are here with

two of her sons and with our father, and we’re having a great time. This

is a 38-year-old tradition, and we never know how many can come, but

we’re thankful for whoever can.”

Later that day I was on a chair lift by myself. It was a long, slow

lift, but I enjoyed the peaceful opportunity to quietly watch the falling

snow. The snowflakes were unusually large and they slowly covered me.

Obviously the snow was cold, but somehow I felt warm inside, as if

blanketed by God’s loving care. I closed my eyes and thanked God for the

amazing opportunity to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and the

blessing of a loving family.

When I opened my eyes, I brushed off the snow, looked below, and

watched family interactions of all ages. One father carried a baby on his

back. Another had a little person on skis wedged between his own. A

little girl had a mother trying to catch up to her, while a father/son

team took turns as leader.

My sister and father were on the lift behind me, and we followed each

other all over the mountain. Each night of our trip I went to sleep

thanking God for the gifts of the day.

Obviously skiing is not for everybody. Obviously everybody does not

have a loving relationship with his or her parents. But the truth is that

no matter what our age and stage in life, we all have a heavenly father

who knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows exactly what we

need, when we need it and he delights to give to us. He has known us

before all time, and he has loved us that long as well.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.