A
telephone call like no other. Noah's phone rang and was answered. “Is
this Noah Pierson?”, was the lady's question. “Yes, this is Noah
Pierson.” “Well great. I'm Bonnie Tiffin. You sat on our front
porch talking with my son Sam a few days ago. He mentioned you and
the kind things you had to say to him, and teens as a whole. Well, I
have a favor to ask.” There was a pause before Noah caught his
breath and replied, “Sure, Mrs. Tiffin. I'll help if I can.”
Mrs.
Tiffin spoke, “Mr. Pierson, for the next couple days after you were
here, Sammy's spirits were riding high. He didn't stare at the floor
nearly as much as he used to. When his dad left after the divorce two
years ago... well... he just needs an older wiser buddy to spend some
time with and keep the right perspective on things today. Now, I'm
sure you're pretty busy these days, but if you could see your way
clear to come over and visit with him again, I'd be plum grateful.”
Noah's heart wanted to yell out, “I CAN BE THERE IN 20 MINUTES!”
But instead, he replied in a friendly tone, “I could come day after
tomorrow, after supper, if that's ok with you. I'd prefer calling you
that day, before I come, just to confirm.” “Mrs. Tiffin. I'd
really like it if you and Sam would call me Noah or Gramps, instead
of Mr. Pierson.” “Well, Gramps, I'm sure Sammy will be thrilled.
We'll expect a call from you day after tomorrow. Have a good day.
Good by.”
Two
days later, silver-haired Noah greeted Sam Tiffin on the teenager's
front porch. This was fast becoming a 'win-win' friendship. The
teenager with a scarred face looked forward to the silver-haired
senior's visits very much. And the reverse was true also. Noah began
his 'leading-from-behind' mentoring of the teen with, “Sam. I am
very serious in saying I thank you for letting me come over and learn
about teenagers from you. I mean it.”
“See...
two years ago my wife died and it's been pretty tough to find
important things for me to do with my days.” Noah looked toward Sam
with a soft smile and said, “My mom raised me to be a doer not a
watcher. She'd always tell me, 'don't worry about making a mistake.
Just get out there and do your best while you're asking God for His
help. Noah, don't you cheat God! He wants to join you in doing the
things that He's best at. So don't cut Him out.' ”
Noah
continued, “Sam, I don't know how many times mom would point her
finger in my face and exclaim, 'Noah. We named you after a famous
boat builder that spent a long time building something that had never
been done before. People laughed at him, but because he was committed
to doing his best at what God wanted him to do, many people and
animals were saved. And what's more, we're still reading about him
today. So son, make us proud, and God happy.'”
After
a few moments of quiet, Sam said, “Gramps, I'm just so afraid that
kids and people will make fun of me, 'cuz of my burned face. So I
just stay home and wish this was all just a bad dream.”
In
an instant, Noah slapped both his legs and exclaimed, “Sam! I know
what! Let's dream. I have a fairly good imagination, and I'll bet you
do too.” Turning in his seat for better eye contact with the teen,
Noah said, “Let's make a dream. Here's what we'll do. We are going
to dream up a business. You and I'll pretend we're going to start up
a business. You know, we've gotta think what we'll sell and how we'll
make it and how much it will cost and all that stuff. Wouldn't that
be cool?! It doesn't cost us anything to dream, does it, Sam?”
It
was like a siren went off, in Sam Tiffin's head. For the very first
time his eyes seemed to have a sparkle in them. In some way, it
seemed his scarred face didn't make any difference anymore. The
teenager wanted to hug Noah, I mean 'Gramps', but wasn't sure if it
was the right thing to do. The silver-haired senior settled that in
short order. His arms had ached a long time for someone to hug, and
this was the perfect time. Noah wanted so much for his departed wife
to know about the friendship just made, on Sam's front porch.
I
think she did. Don't you?
