So you may be wondering how my Thanksgiving went, well it went something like this: Lilian is the newest addition to our family and has renewed my heart. She was born at 11:50 a.m. on Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving). Weighing in at 6 lbs 13 oz she is 19.5 inches long. Mom and dad are both well other than needing a little rest. Grandpa (me) is still floating. I was at work when it all started at 1:30 a.m. and mom sprang a leak. Zac sent me a text message to let me know and thirty minutes later mom did too. Now the waiting begins but before Missy called me and we talked for a few minutes. Her mom and friend came to be with her so Zac thought it would be a good idea to get some sleep since he worked all day. (He'll pay for that in stories in years to come. ) I got off work at seven and came home hoping to rest. No sleep until three in the afternoon, don't know why just couldn't sleep. I went up to visit at 6 p.m. and got there right after feeding time. Mom forgot to wipe her mouth, that is why she has milk mustache. Nobody even noticed until we were leaving. Lilian is so precious and small. Beautiful skin and jet black hair, that is the Indian blood. Anyway, enough for now. I just wanted to share my holiday cheer with my blog family. ___Grandpa Cuddle

   John faded past the vertical horizon of the old tree. A gentle breeze began to whisper once again as the rain continued to fall like tears from a thousand souls. I was left alone to recall a distant time before today; when Jacob would run out to greet me as I returned from the hunt. So long has it been since I saw his loving face and held him in my arms. John said someone else was coming but I haven’t seen a soul since I’ve been here. So long has it has it been since I held my wife and remembered what I left for.

   John left me with many questions for which I still have no answers, yet I remember something; “Thomas McDarr, always distant but never far”. I knew that must be my name but I don’t remember what it meant. Who is John? I knew him so long ago but he has no place in my life, why him, why now?

   Our village was placed at God’s mouth to the valley, nestled in the bosom of the Kingdom. A narrow trail traversed the rough terrain leaving only one way in and one way out. We were farmers buy trade and hunters by nature, we were loved by all. A good harvest allowed us to trade with those from the outland; when the harvest was lean we traded within our tribes. The valley had many tribes even though we were one clan. The villages of my region exchanged goods for generations with the outlanders of the Spires. The Spires no longer wanted to trade, they wanted to rule but we never wanted rule, we wanted peace.

   In the spring the land was abundant and our villages needed to trade beyond their boundaries. We had needs that Trenton’s rule would not allow. We decided to travel to a city that was a fortnight away. We packed our horses and carts with as many goods that we could manage. We knew the risk of being caught by Trenton’s soldiers was extreme but we had no choice. We said our farewells and began to leave town. Jacob grabbed my knee and promised he would be here to welcome me home. The men were gathered and marching, we had a purpose and there was no turning back. We needed this trade to make the New Year. Our families needed us and we love them.

Soon to come will be another story from Thomas. I am sorry I have been gone all this week but the weather has not been kind. I lost lost my service this week and I hope I do not get this service during the winter. It is not fair to me or any of you that visit me.

I hope to be back some time tomorrow with yet another story or event. Hope to hear from all of you soon since I talked with you last.

The fire grew dim and all that was left of the fire were embers so John fueled the fire with the bark from the old tree. He leaned back and rolled the bottle under his foot as he waited for me to awake. John never said a word but the whispers came back. "We're almost home" is all they said, then a vision came to light. I saw myself deep in a battle and I....

Softly drifting from the tree fell a few golden leaves onto the fire. The remaining life in the leaves snapped in the fire as they were consumed. There was a quiet hiss and then a loud pop that startled me; I bolted from my rest while John looked on. John tapped his stick on the stone trying to bring me back. I was confused as my eyes tried to focus on the tiny figure before me. I no longer knew where I was or if I was but I wanted answers. John sat waiting, as I recalled my approach to him. *There was a story to be told* but was it mine or his?
I settled myself back upon the stone and lifted the bottle. I took a drink to quench my thirst. "John, what the hell was that?".
"It's called water!", John said with a smile. Do you remember water ?
"I don't remember anything" I said as I looked around wondering why I was here. I no longer found this place serene. All I wanted was to go home but who was John? Where is home?

John smiles at first but it turned into concern when he realized I had no idea why I was here. The fire grew brighter but twilight remained and I was still weak from the journey even though I rested. Rain began to penetrate the heavens and pounded the ground. The ground around us was drenched but our fire still burned. Ever so often a rain drop would fall and place itself upon my face; slowly trickling down my face.
John, why is this happening?
We are in the Twilight barrier and that can't be breached, unless....
John continued with his story. I was here once but it didn't last. I waited a long time for you. "You never said your name, sir?". John looked on as I pondered my own name. I didn't remember my name but I knew other things and for some reason I knew John; he was worn and gaunt but I knew him just the same. I asked " why are you here now?". John simply pointed to the bottle and gazed off.
My name is Thomas but you know that already. Can you tell me more about why I am here? The young man simply pointed down the road and said "There will be another". I refrained my anxiety and smiled a crooked smile acknowledging him. I looked at John as he walked off into the barren waste countryside and I wanted to know more.
John wasn't ready but I desired the knowledge.

As I stood there in the middle of the path I heard the quiet whispers of a thousand years. A chill pierced my soul as they continued to whisper "we're almost home". I pondered the voice as I walked on but it didn't make sense because I was so far from home. The miles faded behind me as did the sun but the whispers remained.

Along side the path stood a large old tree and under the tree sat a small old man. The tree was weathered and looked as if it had been there since the beginning of time. Twilight seemed to hold on as the old man invited me to sit for awhile and share a story of two. I noticed an empty bottle tipped on its side resting in the dust by the old man. "My name is John" the man said as he tapped the stone across from him with his walking stick.

The whispers calmed and then stopped all together as he began to tell his story. The long day had consumed my energy and as John talked I felt myself drifting off to sleep. John looked at the weary figure that sat in front of him. "You rest now, son, my story will wait" John said as I drifted off.