At one point, many of the things around the house had labels on them. White rectangular stickers with Lori’s handwriting identifying different items. A group of drawers were labeled with things like scissors, glue, pipe cleaners, googly eyes amongst others. A shelf held the label of Lilly’s Toys. In the garage there was a sticker on the storage door that said Matt’s Workshop and on the cabinet was the label Lori’s Crafts. Most of the labels have since fallen as their stickiness has worn.
The cabinet once labeled Lori’s Crafts has seldom been opened. A couple of years ago, I recall opening it to find her artist markers that I wanted to give to Lilly. The whole cabinet is really something for Lilly as at any point, she is welcome to have the gifts that hide inside. A bin full of paints of all kinds and sizes. Some in tubes, some spray cans, some water colors. Another box contains a variety of chalks. There are all sorts of markers, pens and pencils scattered throughout. Smaller bins hold tiny pieces of wood, while larger ones contain a myriad of fabric. All items at one point were part of some larger project that I am sure some of you still have hidden in your own closets.
Although many things were labeled over the years, organization was not necessarily a strong point for Lori. A box labeled fabric would likely contain some fabric, but when you peel back the first layer, you will likely find something else, maybe markers, maybe doll house furniture, maybe stuffing for bears, maybe some pictures, probably a few dollars in coins and almost every box will contain at least one notebook, sketch book or pad of paper.
It was in one of these boxes that I found Book #2.
There is so much information just on this first page. I assume this book predates our marriage since it is labeled Lori Murray and not Lori DuBois. There are so many questions too. Like, did Lori write a book? What will the following pages include?
The first several pages had doodles. Lots of them. Drawing of animals, cartoons, people and objects. Some of them in pen, some in pencil. Dozens of them on each page. Following these, were blank pages. All of Lori’s notepads and sketch pads have blank pages between the content. An indication of time gone by? Ironically, Lilly does the same thing with the pages of her notebooks.
Following the blank pages were more drawings. These were done in chalk. The first was of a persons hand and wrist with a large watch on it, all in gray tones. The next page was darker, blacks and grays. It was of an old man, standing near a bench. But it was the third drawing that caught my eye….
After more blank pages was another drawing. This one outlined in pencil and colored in with marker. It was an animal. Specifically, a bird. More specifically, a stork. It filled the whole page. The following 4 pages contained the following:
Way up in the sky,
above the tallest tree,
lives a family of storks,
delivering bundles of joy to be.
They swoop through the clouds,
amid skies of blue,
protecting their precious cargo,
making family’s dreams come true.
In this family of storks,
a young strolling stands out,
he’s small in stature,
him name is Sprout.
Patiently he has waited,
for the world to see,
him flying from the next,
him sailing through the trees.
Since Sprout was born,
he was told one thing,
you’re too frail to deliver,
such tiny human beings.
Sprout’s wings were a bit short,
his beak a tad small,
but he believed in his heart,
that he could fly with them all.
His siblings would laugh,
it would echo through the trees,
but Sprout would not give up,
not that easily.
Taking flight every day,
he strengthened his wings,
a sack of rocks in his beak,
never dropping a thing.
Soon the time would come,
when he would get his shot,
to prove his abilities,
and show what he’s got.
One bright sunny day,
when all was calm,
Sprout looking in to the distance,
and spotted his Mom.
She came with good news,
that he was chosen some how,
to make a snowy journey,
to a place called Moscow.
With his two webbed feet,
he leaped from the leaves,
holding tightly the gift,
as he wished through the breeze.
In the small town of Faithville,
a husband and wife wait,
knowing their chance for a baby
might come down to fate.
The young couple wanted children,
but they were given the word,
that a baby wasn’t possible,
No deliveries from a bird.
One night when they were sleeping,
a saintly voice spoke,
whispering to the couple,
not to give up hope.
Sprout kept on his path,
but he was headed toward a storm,
with snow pelting the earth,
he had to keep the baby warm.
With a package to deliver,
and no where to go,
the only thing to do,
was take comfort in the snow.
He opened his feathers,
Sprout made a little home,
for the baby to nestle,
and not feel alone.
For days the storm growled,
and Sprout began to pray,
that someone would come,
to rescue them away.
Doubts filled his head,
as he looked to the sky,
this wasn’t his fault,
but he began to cry.
Thousands of mile east,
the couple from the states,
sensed a baby was in danger,
and quickly made haste.
They listened to their hearts,
and devised a plan,
to head off on a journey,
to a far away land.
To help young Sprout,
they jumped on a plane,
flew through the sky,
and boarded a train.
One day later,
in Russia they arrived,
tracking across the mountains,
braving the snowy country side.
Off in the distance,
a beam of light appeared,
it shined to the ground,
bringing the earth to tears.
They approached with care,
the man looked at his wife,
Sprout was safe,
and so was the gift of life.
One journey has ended,
As Sprout was able to fly,
another was beginning,
as the couple’s plane hit the sky.
Back in the nest,
Sprout’s patents nervously had to wait,
They held back their tears,
With Sprout running late.
All of a sudden,
Sprout appeared through the clouds,
Flying with spirit,
making his parents proud.
Sprout spoke of his journey,
And learned a thing or two,
That life will allow,
Dreams to come true.
With his future in the air,
Sprout took to the sky,
To start another journey,
and spread his wings high.
Everything with Lori was always a journey. One always starting, one coming to an end. Although Lilly’s life journey has only barely begun, I am sure that Lori will continue to lead her, follow her, and keep her safe. They share so many similar traits. For my Birthday, Lilly gave me these two drawings she made.
Lilly plays goalie in field hockey. Although we can all probably guess that Lilly’s love for the sport comes from me, I never played goalie in hockey. She has found her own unique position that she is passionate about.
Finding Book #2, by Lori Murray, allows us once again to learn more about her and the things that defined her personality. She wrote stories and shared her drawings. In some ways, she connects with all of us. Particularly when I saw the third chalk drawing, the one that caught my eye….
Why would Lori have drawn a goalie? Perhaps she saw what was to come for her little girl. Let the journey begin. I can’t wait to find Book #1.