Cheese and Crackers

He threw the truck in reverse and slammed on the gas. We sped out of the driveway. My sister and I were crying. Thoughts racing through our little heads. Why was Mommy not in the truck? Why were they fighting? Did they not love each other anymore? Couldn’t they just say “I’m Sorry” and fix it?

All of the sudden, he slammed on the brakes and sat there in the middle of our street for just a minute before pulling back in the drive way. He got out without saying a word and went back inside.

It was only a few hours earlier when it all began…

Mom and Dad were upstairs in our little duplex apartment on Grant Street. They were having an intense discussion about something way over a six- and seven-year old’s head. There was no shouting or angry words used but it was obvious, even to our little eyes, that something was very wrong.

Unbeknownst to us children, it was simply the growing pains of marriage. Most of the things we fight with our spouse about are not heaven or hell issues, but the effects arguing can have on children can last a lifetime.

We were right at the age where a child’s mind starts to log moments away permanently. Pictures of my mother crying and my father sitting on the bed talking to her so calmly are etched in my memory banks forever.

I grabbed Brittney’s little hand and pulled her downstairs. I knew what we needed to do. They needed a snack. Mommy always made us snacks when we were crying. Cheese and crackers would dry her tears and make everything better. We put the cheese and crackers together, placed them in some aluminum foil, and took them up to their bedroom. We walked out knowing that had solved the problem.

Time went by that afternoon and we found ourselves sitting in the front seat of Dad’s pickup truck. Dad had gone inside and we were waiting for him to come back. Our thoughts were scrambling wondering what would happen next? Why were they still angry? Were we going to have to go see out parents at separate houses like many of my other friends? We loved them both so much. How would we ever choose? One of them was destined to be hurt.

These invasive thoughts were quietly put to rest as Brittney and I watched Dad come out the front door. He had Mother by the hand. To this day, I still do not know what he said to her when he went back inside, but I do know whatever he said hasn’t changed in forty years.

Brittney and I have never seen another argument or fight between them. Now, that’s not to say they have never disagreed but it has been handled behind closed doors.

My dad made a decision that day that changed what could have been a tragic end to their love story. Cheese and crackers didn’t fix the problem; Choosing to stay did.

What my father didn’t know was how his decision would rescue me many years later. My mother’s fiery red hair must be woven somewhere in the roots of my brown hair because I too found myself wanting my own way.

I got in my car and left the house in a huff. I made it about a mile down the road when I pulled off. I sat there and began to cry. I prayed for the Lord to help me. I was right and I was mad. I closed my eyes and, in an instant, I saw my father’s old truck pull back in the driveway. I knew I had to go home. I had fences to mend.

Later that day, Chuck asked me why I came back? He thought it was only to save face. Normally he would have been right. We all want to look good and show off our perfect lives to everyone we meet. However, that was not the case this time. Through my tears, I shared with him about “Cheese and Crackers.” I told him I loved us more than I loved being right.

I heard it said once, “Christians aren’t the perfect people, they are the getting back up people.” My parents have left a legacy of “Getting back up.” Those early lessons are still echoing in their actions each day.

On September 10^th, 2020 my parents celebrated forty years of marriage. They have proven the grass is not greener on the other side. They have shown by example that the grass is greener where it is watered.

My parents are more in love today than forty years ago when they said, “I DO.” Mom and Dad always sit close to one another and holding hands for them happens without a thought. It’s as if they are telling the world, “Happily Ever After” does exist.

We never know how our decisions will affect others, but know this, someone is always watching.

To this day cheese and crackers is one of my favorite snacks and I often think of that day with fond memories.

Mom and Dad, Thank You for staying...

Happy 40th Anniversary

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10

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