As a child, most all of us drew pictures and gave them to our parents. Perhaps they hugged us, kissed us, or perhaps both. Rest assured, they thanked us with various forms of affirmation and affection.

Sadly, not all children get that loving treatment. But I did. And I'm thankful for it. But what would really make me feel important, was when my parents placed my drawing where everyone could see it ---the most important place in the house ---on the refrigerator. It had to be the most important place ---it held all those treasures. And the most treasured of all treasures were those mouthwatering 'Ting-a-lings'. They were made with my favorite ingredient ---chocolate. I'll have to give Mom a call and get you the recipe.

Anyway, my picture remained there for weeks on the refrigerator. I felt so special. I didn't realize my parents' apparent concern though. My parents weren't disturbed by my drawing. Let me just say, they had loving concern. But they didn't verbalize their concerns. The old standby was, "He will grow out of it, eventually."

And grow I did. Now things have come full-circle. My children are drawing me pictures for the refrigerator. As for me, well, I've advanced from drawing pictures to writing books. And now my parents are able to verbalize what they perhaps were unable to when I was young. After reading my nearly 600-page book, they wrote me, "You have an amazing imagination."

Now there is that word of curious popularity. Would my Pastor also use the word? …"Simply amazing!" In honesty, I don't know which of the two words was being emphasized.

Anyway, I am a grown-up now. At least that is my perception of it. And I'd like an honest critique. Has my writing graduated beyond the prestige of my refrigerator drawings?

If not, then at least try the recipe I made reference to in the story, 'The Princess and the Poppy'. Yes, I think those mouthwatering Ting-a-lings are good, but they are not the most treasured of treasures. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21)