Boilerplate
I’m Harold Dykstra. I’m retired, but I go to food bank distributions all over Tracy and talk to people that need someone who will listen to their story. My time is well spent. A police lieutenant suggested that I write down the conversations that I had with an angel. I did not know she was an angel at the time. The angel, for a little over a year, indwelled a life-sized posable action figure my children bought me, so that I would not be perceived as travelling alone. And in a way, she was training me for what I do while talking to the needy. She probed my heart to find out what I believed and how I express love for others. She changed my life.
In her leaving, she said someone would come. I had thought that was Jesus, in His second coming, but a new Babs, a little older, the model for the posable action figure arrived. While I had no desire to start over with romance, Morrie helped her move in, thinking she was the other Babs who had returned.
This Week’s Question
One day last week, Babs dusted the house and rhymed as she went.
This week Babs was again dressed as Morticia Addams. It was our church’s Trunk or Treat Night. But then again, we were also going to Trunk or Treat at Lily the Pink. Their trunks were the trunk of the fake trees in the Crystal Mountain.
I was again going as Uncle Fester, but the McAdoos were visiting. Sue was going as Grandmama. Hugh was going as cousin Itt. Drew was Wednesday, and Lou was Pugsley.
Note: Hugh played cousin Iit so that no one would recognize him. Those spook types have to think about those things. Sue had so many wrinkles, no one would recognize her either.
Since Jayke and Janella were about the same ages as the little two of Hugh and Sue, they came along as the reasonably normal friends of Wednesday and Pugsley. And before you ask, they had to explain to just about everyone that their non-costume was indeed a costume that fit with the overall theme.
We had the usual tricked out trunk that would flow with fog each time the trunk lid opened. And the children had to show bravery to be able to get a piece of candy. And Blaise Yeggs and his fellow tinkerers produced a robotic Thing, the disembodied hand. Thing would run back and forth on its finger tips and then flip over to snap its fingers twice. The fingers really were not snapping, but it looked like it. Besides when the sound effects made a loud snap, you believed it.
When we got to Lily the Pink, Babs was already wishing she had let the costume out a little. She could not take a full step in the tight gown, and she repeated several times, but whispered, “My girdle is killing me.”
Each time, I would ask, “Wasn’t that in a commercial from before you were born?”
Babs sighed, “And I cannot find it on the video systems. But really, I am not advertising, the modern materials work great, but they start to torture you after a while. And sitting down is almost impossible. Next year, I am going to be a mermaid. You might not think so, but it’s a lot easier to move in those things.”
I shrugged, “I suppose you would know.”
Babs just giggled.
Pink came over to where we were relaxing in the corner of the conference center.
Pink laughed, “You two spared no expense for Jayke and Janella’s costumes. They have to be with their out of town friends just for people to get the joke. And I did not think that Wednesday and Pugsley had any normal friends.”
Babs smiled, “But if they did, they would look very scary to the Addams family.”
Pink laughed, “I suppose so. Babs, did you bring a change of clothing? You look uncomfortable.”
Babs groaned, “No, I did not. I would love to get the girdle off. I would love to be able to take a full step. Having a dress this tight and this long, I now know how someone in shackles feels like. And I know why the police use it. You can walk, but not very fast, and not very far either.”
Pink said, “I’ll signal Gwen. We’ll have you out of that straight jacket in no time. I hope you like pink.”
Pink, Gwen, and Babs left me in the corner and then Babs came back. The makeup and the top looked like Morticia, but then the bottom was covered with bib coveralls.
Babs smiled, “I feel so much better. They did not have a lot of these coveralls. They only wear them when they are doing work at ground level, usually worn by people who are unqualified to work at height, but they are so roomy. I think I could put my head on your shoulder and fall asleep.”
I asked, “Babs, your gown was a one piece. Did they cut it in half?”
Babs laughed, “Gwen had all kinds of lingerie and only one black top that was not sheer. And it looked a lot like the dress. We are not going to dance tonight, but I feel better.
I snickered, “Your zeal for being authentic got the better of you. If Sue brings her family here next year, she can be Morticia. Grandmama is about like Uncle Fester, loose clothing, comfortable.
Pink came back with Gwen, Thomas, and Catherine, “When you said you were coming over as the Addams family, I had to do some research. We don’t let the children dress in costume that promote the occult. Grandmama is on the edge, but the old television show was a normal sitcom with all the people having abnormal interests.
I smiled, “It was based on an old newspaper one-panel cartoon. But then, the censors were fairly strict when the show was originally on television.”
Pink said, “But all this concern about the dark side of Halloween has some people worried. We want to discuss it with you, and we want to video record it. Can we go to the Den?”
Babs asked, “Can we have Cousin Iit and Grandmama attend? I do not want to leave our friends, but their children will be fine with Jayke and Janella.”
So, we added Hugh and Sue McAdoo to our little crew. Pauline Niblick would watch the children, and the children were told where we would be.
Pink started with a word of prayer. Rev. Joseph and Mary were there, tending to the cameras.
Pink then asked, “Let’s start with the big hitters. What about witches? Grandmama is on the edge.”
Sue doubled over laughing. “I have my little pot. I have a lot of wrinkles. They always thought Grandmama was a witch of some sort, but when the children asked, I reached into my pot and had a line for each item. I used chopsticks. If I pulled out a rubber chicken, I was cooking chicken soup. If I pulled out a wet sock, I was washing socks. And I think I have a green leaf in here somewhere, so I ask if they like spinach. They are thinking a witch’s brew and they get a punchline. Some of the kids came back to ask two or three times. If I screwed up, I was washing my socks in chicken soup. The children loved it.”
I sighed, “But thinking of Scripture… ‘“Do not allow a sorceress to live.’ (Exodus 22:18). But did the people listen? ‘He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.’ (2 Chronicles 33:6). This was about King Manasseh. While Exodus was focused on sorcery, Deuteronomy broadens that. ‘When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.’ (Deuteronomy 18:9-13). This talks specifically to witchcraft. I think that it is clear enough to include Ouija boards, tea leaves, crystals, tarot cards, and astrology. Astronomy is the study of the stars. Astrology is what tells you if it is safe to go out today.”
Babs replied, “Harold, what about speaking to the dead?”
I snickered, “That is mentioned in the previous verses when mentioning mediums and spiritists. ‘Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said.’ (1 Samuel 28:7). And we know what happens next. The medium or witch, depending on translation, says that she does not want to be tricked. For King Saul himself had made an edict that mediums must die. Saul convinces her and then she sees who he is and thinks she was tricked. Now, did Samuel appear or was that a spirit mimicking Samuel? The scholars argue. But the dead will rise, so playing a mummy is not a joking matter. Uncle Fester? He was just weird.”
Pink sighed, “What about vampires? There is an entire industry writing books about vampires and werewolves.”
I replied, “Dracula is not mentioned in Scripture. But eating blood is forbidden. ‘But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.’ (Deuteronomy 12:23). ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ (Ephesians 6:12). But what we need to understand here is what the motivation of the youngster is? They have sexual desires, but they do not want to make a baby. So, they read books about lovemaking among vampires. It speaks of eternal life and lovemaking without sexual activity. This is supposed to not fire up the hormones as much, but it provides false gods. But then, another trend is the increase in anal sex. The boy has his fun, and the girl does not get pregnant. Regardless of what they call it, it is a sexual act and it is unnatural. But drinking blood is bad. Drinking the wine that symbolizes the blood is commanded by Jesus for us to do that. It is the blood that saves, but the blood of an animal or each other is there to sustain life. We should not mess with that.”
Suzy Q asked, “What about monsters?”
I laughed, “I can think of two. But let’s start with the only time either of them was called a monster. ‘In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword—his fierce, great and powerful sword—Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.’ (Isaiah 27:1). Leviathan is mentioned along with Behemoth elsewhere. Only here is Leviathan called a monster. Israel was afraid of the sea due to Leviathan. Think about it; something huge that coils around the ship and destroys everything. But could most tales of the Leviathan be something they imagined due to a hurricane type storm? But the tales of dinosaurs went through the people from Noah and the other seven on the ark. And you would have a hard time killing a sea monster using a flood. So, Leviathan might have survived. What does this sound like? ‘Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly! Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit. Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron.’ (Job 40:15-18).”
Rev. Joseph laughed, “Sounds like a dinosaur to me, a herbivore.”
Pink asked, “Do you think that I am being too strict?”
I shook my head, “Ms. Pink, do what you have to do. Have a lesson like this discussion here. The children will eventually be exposed, and they need to understand where you stand. ‘These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.’ (Deuteronomy 6:1-3). It is up to every parent of those kids down the hall.”
Mary laughed, “If you had read a few more verses in Deuteronomy… ‘These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.’ (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). That’s why we are filming this. We want to make it available on our storm chasing channel. And we want all the parents to have it that have children at our preschool. We want it to be informative without being preachy. That way they can make up their own minds.”
I moaned, “I’m glad that I could help.”
Pink smiled, “I know of several young couples that try to do what you do at least once each day, but I think yours are simply unplanned.”
I sighed, “Yes. It has simply been how Babs and I communicate. I think it is right there with a safety attitude. Safety should not be a high priority. It should be a way of life. Some companies take it to the extreme. Even affecting home life. But they get the right results. Those employees will be safety conscious, even if they go to work for someone else. Just think what we could accomplish if we had a conversation with Bible verses every time we talk to a loved one?”
Hugh smiled, “My wife and I are trying to emulate you. My wife looks at Babs as being her only real mother.”
Suzy Q laughed, “Babs and I get into talking in Bible verses when we call on the phone. Yeah, it becomes a way of life. And there are no barriers. We can talk about anything.”
Pink thanked us and we all hugged each other.
Credits
All these conversations remind me of my conversations with my wife. We would talk about anything and everything. And most of the time, it sounded like a discussion in a Sunday school class.
And here is the theme song for The Addams Family. All are there except for Cousin Iit, just add a hairball with sunglasses…
I worked for DuPont for eight years. And as a result, I ended up as the safety director at my last company. It simply became a way of life.
We can do that with our walk with God. If the parents agree before any children are there, the children will think it to be natural. And we would be doing as Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands.
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
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