Weeble Wonderment
"Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall Down"
We grabbed all our house guests last night and went out for pizza since everyone was still fairly exhausted and CiCi's pizza may not be wonderful but it's plentiful and it's cheap. Once we got past the "Hi, Welcome to Cici's!" girl we were able to sit and talk while being careful to skirt the temptation to come up with "to do" lists or write down itineraries. It was understood by everyone that we had a lot to get done and we'll be running around for several days until all those things settle down, but last night I think everyone wanted merely to settle in.
We ate too much - okay I ate too much - we got comfortable and we learned a bit about each other.
In fact I was struck by how "normal" the conversations were...we talked about Michael going to Houston, about him maybe finding a job for a day or two before he leaves...we talked about school and pizza and football.
The Gomez kids are respectful of each other, of us, of their Mom and of God and it's obvious this is not simply a result of them being on their "best behavior," this is the way they were raised.
There were certainly signs that they are a family in mourning. I haven't fooled myself into thinking these kids have always been this quiet... they're very aware that they have lost more than "things." Yet I was truly stunned at the entire family's resiliency. I'm not so certain I would "bounce back" or "roll with the punches" had I been through half of what they've experienced and there would be no distracting me...I would obsess over it.
On the drive home, Michael and I spoke for a few moments about it and he said, "We've simply got to do what we've got to do" and I knew he wasn't rattling off a cliché as much as stating a determined fact, with which he had come to terms.
When Amy and I went to bed we held each other and discussed our amazement at this family's strength. We both were certain had we endured such hardship we likely would not be so stoic. In fact we're in agreement you'd find us curled up somewhere in fetal positions drooling excessively.
Amy cried a lot last night...every time she started to envision how unimaginably hard it's been for the Gomez family and for so many other families like them. We both cried thinking of how we have come to be so undeservedly blessed.
"Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall Down"
I suppose a lot of folks don't remember Weebles. They were heavily advertised toys that reached their peak of popularity in the late 60's I think. Weebles were hard little egg-shaped dolls. Even when their popularity waned in the late 70's and a last ditch marketing effort was made with "tumbling" Weebles I believe their slogan remained the same:"Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall Down."
You could surround yourself or your kids with all sorts of Weeble accessories - Weeble cars, Weeble homes, entire Weeble towns and Weeble railroads.
Maybe I'm remembering things as I want them to be, but I'm convinced of one other thing about Weebles - they never sold them separately. I'm almost positive they were always sold in sets...in families.
I'm equally certain that the scientific explanation of why Weebles never fell down is due to their shape...but I like to think that despite some wobbles along the way the real reason Weebles always buoyed back up right is that they were never ever alone.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. - Psalm 62:5
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
7 Comments
7 Comments:
Thank you Michael - it is an honour to meet your guests. Maybe you can convince them to say hello on here some time.
I just want to affirm that the God in which they have placed unshakable faith will not let them down - as has been demonstrated in that they now have a home in which to live, and people who care to be there for them.
I am sure you will all pass down a precious journey of growth and friendship which will last for eternity.
Bless you and Amy - God bless the Gomez family.
Janet
why, of COURSE I remember Weebles. I had the tree house. And the bus I think. I loved them.
I loved spinning them and throwing them at things too.
Amen to Janet's blessing on you and the Gomez fam.
I am amazed and humbled, sometimes the worst of events can truely bring out the best in us. Thank you for sharing the experience.
Thanks for sharing this with us today. It was more of an inspiration than you could realize... especially the Weeble illustration.
Ah, yes, CiCi's! My dear late father used to take us there every time we visited my folks in Round Rock (we don't have CiCi's here in Illinois.) My teen-aged boys, with their huge appetites, didn't require gourmet pizza. The plentiful quantities at CiCi's were just fine with them. My dad used to take great pleasure in seeing them get his money's worth! :)
I?m glad for both the Gomez family and yours. Thank you for sharing your home with them and their resilience with us.
It?s interesting to note that, here in North Carolina, the authorities aren?t allowing Katrina survivors to leave the shelter for space in occupied homes ? only offers of empty houses and apartments are accepted.
Still, one local couple found a way to open their home to a family of four, and their ongoing story is being covered in the local paper:
http://www.newsobserver.com/weather/severe_weather/katrina/story/2790818p-9229927c.html
And another local resident has surprised the Red Cross by donating her home so the organization can sell it:
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/sheehan/story/2794012p-9234300c.html
Oh, and there are currently 271 auction lots for Weebles on eBay: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=Weeble
Harlan
if anyone finds weebles, i think i want to collect them now...
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