Alligator Eyes

Alligator eyes slowly sank beneath the surface of the water. She was screaming, but nobody noticed. The roar of the airboat and the protective headphones kept all other noises out. They were not from here and had arranged for the boat ride as an afternoon excursion, but the shock of the alligators had changed all that. Suddenly, a primeval quality rose from the water and watched them as they approached. Her feelings became intense, a war of predator and prey.
She turned noticing the boat dock and civilization moving away, lost behind tall grasses and palm forests. She was isolated in her headphone world. She had tapped him on the shoulder to point and gesture, but he simply smiled and nodded. Did he not feel the terror, the danger? What if the motor stopped? What if they hit a sand bar and the boat flipped them into the water? Still, he simply smiled and nodded.
Deeper and deeper they went up the stream—more like a swamp than a river. There were no signs, no maps to this prehistoric scenario. Any maps created would be useless as storms, tides, and seasons carved and shifted waterways. Several times the boat driver took a wrong turn and had to backtrack because the stream had become a dead end. And, once he had driven right up and over a muddy sandbar.
As her death-grip on the back of the seat in front began to loosen a little from fatigue. Vultures were spotted sitting on the haunches of a large, brown animal about the size of a bull. The distance made it difficult to tell exactly what it was. Vultures! Were the vultures just waiting for the poor thing to die? Had the alligators attacked it, weakening it, so all the vultures had to do was wait? Were they some kind of deadly team? The grisly scene disappeared behind the tall grasses and mud hills.
The twists and turns became constant and direction no longer meant anything. Eyes peered at them around every bend. Sometimes, twenty or thirty pairs slowly sank as they approached, but never a trace could be seen below the surface, although the mud bottom or a fat, round turtle were clearly visible. How could they vanish so completely? Where could so many of them go?
“Many” was an understatement. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of alligators were comfortable in this vast water and grass world. She had seen hundreds. How many more must there be in side streams? Looking ahead, dark eyes with an occasional nose continued to sink. No longer did she hold on to the hope that at least some of them were tufts of grass or floating sticks. The alligators resided here. She did not belong.
The first one spotted on land was about two meters from nose to tail walking along the edge of the stream. He didn’t seem startled but did pick up his pace as they passed. Off in the distance a large group of vultures circled and sank, circled and sank, as they approached a wide expanse of water with a small muddy entry into the stream. The vultures were converging on something at the water’s edge. It could not be seen, but the smell of death was everywhere as they passed by.
There were no other people to be seen. The headphones and the cacophony from the airboat reinforced the isolation. Nothing existed but sky, water, vultures, alligators, and three small people on a flat-bottom, top-heavy airboat.
The sudden deceleration and sweep upon the embankment came as a surprise and a relief. Headphones were ripped from heads as breathing became easier. The airboat motor was turned off, and they became part of the natural world. Birds flew everywhere, not vultures but cranes, egrets, heron, and hawks. Their calls merged in a melody of freedom and flight. Other airboats roared far in the distance. The sounds of wind in the grasses and palms soothed her mind. Far away, and barely seen through the vegetation, traffic on the road could occasionally be spotted. They were part of this world. They belonged. They had a place.
The return trip felt entirely different. The sun was shining; the sky was blue. The water belonged to a bigger world. The picture was complete. The headphones and the roar of the engine no longer isolated her from the world around her. She watched the animals interact. Cattle were crossing the stream without fear, and other adventurers roared by in airboats and forded the stream in ATV’s. Calves skipped beside their mothers, and fishermen stood along the bank. Where had they been earlier? Did they realize the dangers that lurked just below the surface of the water?
As they approached the entrance to the wide expanse of water seen before, the vultures were still there circling and sinking, so they crossed over the muddy entrance and went to investigate the smell. The vultures scattered and rose into the air as the noisy boat approached, leaving the bleached body of a huge alligator. She contemplated the mystery of life as she noticed the giant at the mercy of the smaller but persistent vultures.
Cars and pickup trucks were visible beyond the boat ramp as they drew nearer to the end of the trip. The wildlife became scarcer and the grasses shorter. Civilization was once again entering her world. The memory of the loneliness, the isolation, the fear was fading. All that was left was a haunting vision of alligator eyes.

Colten

Colten fell out of bed. The shriek spread through the night, sending terror and frustration across the house. Mimi rushed down the hall, scooping him up from the ground where he lay, wrapped in his comforter like a taco. He held on tight, sobbed a time or two, and fell asleep in her arms. What a special moment! His wiggles and his hurry to get on with his business usually send him off before she can get her fill of his love. Hugging him one last time before she tucked him in, she prayed for God to keep him safely in bed for the rest of the night.
Everything he does is energetic and enthusiastic, athletic and driven. He often has two things going at once: baseball and glove, bike and helmet, tennis ball and racket, basketball and basket—Poppy’s kind of boy. He finds all athletic endeavors easy and fulfilling, frustrating his older brother, who would rather do cerebral kinds of things. Colten will agree to play with Jaden for a few moments, finds he can do the activities easily as well, and runs off to perfect the fine art of making a basket. He doesn’t understand why Jaden is still pondering the mathematical possibilities of the task
Swimming fills him with joy. He splashes, dives, and floats like a dream. He and his older brother were placed in the same swimming level but with two different teachers. They are excited about this, however, and wave to each other from across the Olympic-sized pool. He loves the activity and athleticism of it all. During the beginning pretest, his teacher stared with shock, his mouth open, when Colten jumped in, sank to the bottom, popped back up, and paddled to the edge, not timid and afraid but eager and capable. The other children were not of the same standard.
At home, he and Poppy play ski boat around the pool. Poppy’s motor makes just the right noise, and Colten stands on his bent legs and sails through the bright blue summer afternoon. Poppy then thrills him with totally inappropriate activities. They take turns spitting water across the surface seeing who can spit farther. Then, they create mouth fountains where the more spray created the better. Mimi is never pleased and says so often, but they both just smile at her.
His pool time with Mimi is quite different. They drift around the pool until they come on the filter’s wild surge into the water. Then, they are caught up together in the horrendous flood and shoot out into the middle squealing in delight. The next float around the pool is quiet again with Colten on his back and Mimi holding him from underneath with one hand, just like Blake, his swimming teacher at the high school swim class.
Each morning, singing wafts through the upstairs as he greets each day with song. He sings through everything—dressing, brushing teeth, making beds, and folding beach towels from swimming the night before. If Mimi hears a musical hum floating through the house, she can always find Colten working at something. Once, she heard singing coming from the back patio. He was taking apart the bell on Ashtyn’s tricycle. He examined every part, checked the working components, and put the whole thing back together. He puffed his chest in pride, gave the bell a final inspection, and marched off. Mimi only hoped it was put back correctly. Colten would know more about that than she would.
He works amazingly well with Ashtyn. She depends on him for a good partner during play. He will share chalk-design with her, covering the driveway with many creative drawings. He is much better than Poppy at drawing just the right object, and he keeps her entertained. He understands what she needs when she is upset and has so much patience.
Going to Jaden’s tennis lessons shows Colten’s extraordinary, gifted sense of direction. While the other children are chatting or watching the video, he notices where Poppy is going, where he should turn, and where he should park when he gets to the tennis courts. At home, Mimi depends upon him to tell her where everything belongs or where it can be found. He always knows.
Once they arrive at the tennis counts, Colten and Poppy find the place where they would like to sit. Sometimes it is on the bleachers; sometimes it is under the spreading shade tree where he finds rocks buried in the bark. After each break they walk around all eight tennis courts retrieving balls that have been hit out over the fences. Colten then either throws them through the door or rolls them under the fence. They must check at least twice during every class.
Video games illustrate another area of strength for this already strong, wonderful little boy. He can navigate throughout the various worlds and multiple levels. His brother serves as a major fighter and covers Colten’s back, killing all who would sneak up and surprise him. Colten leads the way through wild terrains and dark hallways. Maneuvering through secret passages, locked doors, and disappearing platforms is easy for him. He gets frustrated that Jaden will not always follow him, even when he demands it. Big brothers are not always cooperative.
Mimi tucks him in every night. The blind must be down just to the bottom of the window, the comforter rolled along the outside edge of the bed, the music on. The closet door must be partially ajar, the bedroom door open, and the bathroom light on. Every night they pray for Mommy and Daddy to have a safe trip, for Poppy and Mimi to stay with them, and for a good day. Mimi is held at the door for last minute instructions: Put the jungle animals in the car, so he will have something to do at tennis lessons; make a list, so she doesn’t forget to read about Christiana; and tell Poppy to stop by to tell him goodnight when he brings Jaden to bed. Mimi is listening and will do everything he says. She smiles, thankful for this bundle of energy and love. The Lord must be very pleased with Colten.

Jaden
Jaden came running to Mimi, crying. Crying? The big boy? The oldest? He never cried unless his feelings were hurt or Colten had done a dastardly deed. But crying on his own, with Colten far from him, alone playing in the yard? Never!
Mimi held him tightly in her arms while he sobbed and caught his breath, so he could explain. “The scooter,” he sobbed. The scooter, it seems, always spins around whenever he carries it and slams into the back of his foot. The tears were more for anger than for pain. So, the scooter got hung in the garage. Then, they went walking around to the front where the whole thing had taken place. Jaden explained as they walked along.
The good knights were getting attacked by the bad guys. All the fruit was poison. Whenever a knight ate some fruit, he would die. The memory of the anger and pain faded as the tale progressed—a tale of dragons, swords, and bad guys. They found the abandoned sword on the sidewalk. Colten would not play: he was too busy playing ball with Poppy. So, Mimi sat in the chair on the porch while he wound through the bushes explaining all the creative developments of the plot.
Jaden doesn’t need anyone to play with him. The richness of his imagination is enough for him, filling him with worlds of wonder and adventure. Poppy tells him to attack the tennis ball with the same enthusiasm that he attacks the dragons (or the shrubbery) out front. After two mighty slashes at the attacking monster, he retreats to describe all the details of his dangerous encounter to his teammates, who think they were just practicing tennis.
Tennis lessons at the high school keep him busy and active. He marches off every day with his water bottle, tennis racket, and special tennis-class t-shirt. He double checks for socks and shoes and, then, badgers Poppy about whether they will go to MacDonald’s or Burger King for lunch first—his mind no longer on Ashtyn or Mimi, who are waving from the garage door.
What a gift and blessing he is to the entire family. He is their relief, their praise, their miracle baby. His beginning was a wave of terror and a wash of despair. The anguish for his parents and grandparents was almost unbearable. The prayers went to the Lord every second and, eventually, circled the world through prayer chains everywhere. The Lord heard and answered. The beautiful and healthy baby boy finally came home from Riley Children’s Hospital; everyone rejoiced and praised God.
What a boy he is! He graduated from first grade reading and studying math. Sudoku puzzles please him so much. He loves the mystery and logic of them. They make him smile. Poppy and Jaden sit with their heads together after the other children have gone to bed and talk logic and strategy for their latest puzzle.
Blocks don’t just become architecture and buildings, they become puzzles. Not just a beautiful structure, but if this block is pushed, it will knock the other one, which will hit the next, and cause the blue one to land on the yellow one. Each aspect aligned and perfected until it is just right.
His is more that just head work and imagination, however. He sails down the cul-de-sac on the scooter, passing the other children on their bikes. He rides circles around them and returns to the garage before they even head home, his natural balance and grace taking him smoothly along the road.
Swimming provides an outlet for him that he loves very much. He jumps and dives and drives everyone crazy by splashing water in their faces. Mimi and Poppy got after him several times when the other children yelled in frustration. He became better, but the temptation was always there just gleaming behind his laughing eyes.
Swimming lessons at the high school show him kicking strongly for the teacher. He uses the foam dumbbells across his chest when he swims backward. He loves visiting with the other children who are sitting on the side with him, waiting for their turn and splashing them as they splashed him. The cheerful waves to his brother, Colten, across the pool show that they love being in the same level. It is reassuring to Jaden seeing him over there. Occasionally, a “Colten, Colten!” will ring through the air when they are both sitting on the side.
Video games are one of his favorite things. His imaginary world comes alive with knights and dragons to slay. He would much rather battle the next bad guy than hunt through the hallways and levels following Colten. Therefore, he always amasses huge points. Colten yells for him to follow, but he will not budge until every last creature is destroyed and every point grabbed.
He loves books. Mimi read several chapters about Little Christiana and her travels toward the Celestial City of the King. He follows this advanced story plot and even seems to get the idea that it is about man’s journey through life toward eternal life with Christ. What joy he must bring to the Lord. God must have great and important plans for him.
Staying up later than his little brother is surprising for him. Although Colten reminds Mimi that Mommy puts them to bed at the same time. Jaden loves explaining that he can stay up a little later because he is older. Someday, Colten will be old enough to stay up a little later too. What a difference twenty minutes can make in his self-confidence and self-importance.
Wonder and amazement are his favorite facial expressions. His smile literally lights up the room. When he smiles, everyone cannot help but smile with him. Such depth of emotion reveals his caring, sensitive nature. He thinks deeply, feels deeply, and investigates deeply. Very little gets by him when he sets his mind to figuring something out.
The struggle at the beginning of his life has blossomed into a full, exciting adventure now—a life that impacts everyone in the family. His parents and grandparents will forever give thanks and praise the Lord for this gift, this miracle, this Jaden.

Ashtyn

Ashtyn screamed out in the night, “Mommy!”—the one word that sent a chill down Mimi’s spine. She rushed from the bed and hovered outside the door in the dark hall. Would she scream again? Would she be too upset to be comforted by her grandmother? Mimi prayed she would accept her arms, her hugs, her kisses when the fears of the night crashed in. Mommy was a long way away. She and Daddy had taken their long awaited tenth anniversary trip to Washington, D. C. and Williamsburg. Mimi and Poppy were babysitting.
What a precious thing Ashtyn was. She was the sixth, the end, only two years old. This made her all the more precious—one last and splendid gift from God. Her little warm body cuddled against her grandmother when they sat on the sofa, her hugs and smiles adding joy to Mimi’s life. Her special kisses were saved for Poppy.
They had had their problems this week. Ashtyn wanted Mimi’s toenails painted red to match hers, not the usual buff color. It had taken them a while to find the red polish, but persistence paid off. They both had hair that tangled easily. The spray detangler helped them both. They both wore pink often and cropped pants on chilly days.
The sippy-cup caused the biggest problem for them the first time they went up for bed. Mimi filled it with milk for nap time, just the way Mommy wanted. They went upstairs together. Mimi perfected the routine just the way Ashtyn liked--a silky pink blanket over her, another by her ear, and the bunny by her other ear; then, Mimi gave her the sippy-cup. Catastrophe! The milk poured out and over her entire face! They were startled, both sets of eyes wide with surprise.
Ashtyn didn’t cry. She didn’t get mad. She just calmly said, “The milk spilled.”
Mimi cleaned Ashtyn’s face and found a baby bottle for her milk. Ashtyn looked skeptically at the bottle as if allowances had to be made for poor Mimi and quietly went to sleep.
During the sunny afternoons she loved the swimming pool, thought she was as big and as independent as the boys. Once her water wings were on, she climbed down the ladder, sank into the water up to her chin, and floated away. No amount of help was accepted. Mimi watched, keeping a keen eye on her every move—“I do it!” ringing in the air.
The swing called to her whenever she went into the yard. Poppy was the only one patient enough to stay with her, swinging and swinging. She never tired of the swing- thing. She floated through the air again and again, her hair lifted by the breeze, her face pleased with the sensation. Poppy was there long after Mimi and the boys had grown tired and retreated back into the house.
Sometimes, Poppy sat in the swing next to her swinging in perfect timing. Sometimes, he climbed into the playhouse cleaning, repairing, or checking the construction, but eventually, he was back behind her, pushing and pushing. Whenever he let her bump into his stomach with a loud, “Oops!” she squealed with joy. It was such fun to torment Poppy.
One time when Mimi looked out, Ashtyn was sitting in the swing perfectly still, silent, quiet, waiting, no movement in the swing at all. She didn’t say a word, never complained, never demanded more. Moments later, Poppy came hurrying back from the direction of the garden, and the swinging began again.
Ashtyn and Mimi chased dog hair. One of the dusting wands became dedicated to the catching of dog hair wherever it tried to hide. They chased dog hair under the sofa, in the laundry room, across the floor. Ashtyn shook the wand with all her might outside the kitchen door. The dog hair flew across the yard, catching on the flowers and plants.
Early one morning she watched a small bird gathering up the hair, obviously padding a nest with the soft, fuzzy warmth. Poppy and Ashtyn watched him from the table and talked about what a wonderful bed dog hair would make.
She could certainly hold her own with the boys. She bossed them and tried everything they tried. When they ran around the yard as knights with swords, she ran behind only because her legs were shorter. When they yelled she was a princess and should stay in the chair, she yelled, “No! I want a sword!” and chased them around the pool.
The tennis ball belonged to her. She had told everyone, and she was wonderful with it. She made baskets--backward baskets--with it. The ball flew up into the net, then out and over the top. She rolled it around the family room and stored it among the shoes with firm instructions that no one was to move it. No one did.
Sidewalk chalk created masterpieces for her. Poppy drew horses (or were they dogs?) for her, and she filled in the bodies. Blue, held in her sturdy little fist, became her primary color. She colored the head, the ears, the legs, and in the meantime, herself. Her entire little body tinted a pale, chalky shade of blue.
Daytime was a safe, fun experience.
Now, she had cried out in the night. Would Mimi have to go into the room? Would she cry again? All remained calm and quiet. The even breathing could be heard through the door. All was well. Still, Mimi stayed and waited, standing in the cool dark hallway, listening. If she cried again, Mimi would be there in an instant. Nothing! Mommy was not called again. In the bright blue light of morning, Mimi was absolutely acceptable for every little problem; in the dark, however, a grandmother was just not quite good enough. Mimi turned, paused yet again, then went back to bed to sleep, to rest, and to keep an ear open for Ashtyn.