Sunday, December 9, 2012

'Tis the Season



It was the Saturday night after Thanksgiving, a few years back.  I spent the day decorating and finished around 8:00pm that night.  I turned the fireplace on and turned some Christmas music on.  I then went into the kitchen to make some hot chocolate, when I was startled by a knock at my front door.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see him standing there.  He didn't live in L.A. at the time and I had no idea that he was in town.  He has always been like a father figure to me.  Someone I honor, respect, and someone I could confide in.

He said, "I came to see your trees," in a vampire like voice.  I started to giggle and hugged him.  He grabbed the hot chocolate out of my hand and started drinking it.  He walked in, began looking around at my Christmas trees and jokingly said, "How many tweez does a butterflyz needz?  Survey says... F.I.V.E.Z."  We both started laughing.

I have always loved Christmas trees and I have several of them (probably more than five), throughout my place, with different themes.  I have a Cross and Angel wings tree, a Royalty King's tree, a TX Cowboy tree, an Elvis Rock N' Roll tree, a Butterfly and dove feathers tree, a Purple tree, and a Rosemary coffee tree in the kitchen (with Starbucks ornaments hanging on it), which smells amazing and you can cook with it, too.

I told him that I would make him something to eat and I headed into the kitchen.  Some time had passed, when he entered the kitchen and opened up the oven.  He started eating the potato fries (which were too hot and not quite done).  I told him that he was going to burn himself and to wait.  ;)

He said, "I need to stay for a few days, but don't tell anyone that I'm here!" He then walked back into the living room.  And I yelled, "I won't tell a soul."  But at the same time, I was thinking...  how am I supposed to hide a famous Rock Star for a few days???  haha




I finished cooking and went into the living room, with his food.  I could tell that he had been crying.  "There's such a sense of peace in your place, I can't explain it, but it's so unreal." he said.

I smiled and thanked him.  It was such a SWEET compliment, because I knew he could feel the presence of God.  For my home was my sanctuary.  I prayed, worshipped, anointed and thanked God daily, in my home.

After he finished eating, he began to tell me what was happening in his life and a few things about his girlfriend.  I had only met her once, but I had discerned that she wasn't good for him.  Although, I would never meddle in his relationship, nor would I ever tell him what to do.  I was just there to listen to him and pray for him.  And all I cared about was, that he was happy.

He also told me how hurt he was, over his friends and bandmates.  But most of all, he shared how much he loved his kids and that he felt like he was a terrible father.  I reassured him, that he IS a wonderful daddy and spending quality time with them was the most important thing.  He told me, that one of his daughters hadn't spoken to him for months and that he couldn't bare to spend the holiday's, without all of his children.

We talked for several hours and then I said, "Well, 'tis the season for miracles, so let's believe that Jesus will restore all of your broken relationships."  He half smiled at me, but I could tell that he really didn't believe it was possible.  He looked disheartened and exhausted.

I said, "Why don't you go to the guest room and lay down."  He agreed and started heading up the stairs.  I went to get him some fresh towels and placed them on the chair in the guest room.




He laid down on the bed and he didn't look well, at all.  I was worried about him, so I asked him if I could get him anything else?  He said, "I'm in a lot of pain, will you come over here and pray for my back?"  I walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed.

I laid my hands on his back and I began to pray.  He moaned a bit and then he said, "How do you do that?"  "Do what?" I asked.  "I can feel heat, on my back," he replied.  I said, "that's not me... it's the Holy Spirit."  He laughed and said,  "Oh yeah, I forgot you have supernatural powers."

I laughed and then I continued praying for his back.  He began to mumble something (that I didn't understand), and then he fell fast asleep.  I turned off the light, closed the door, and went into my bedroom.

I continued to pray for his back, his children, his girlfriend, and the boys in his band, before I went to sleep.  I asked God to restore all of his relationships and to heal his broken heart.  I also thanked God, for bringing him here.  Out of all the places he could go and all the people he knows, I was truly thankful that he felt like my place was a safe haven.

For three days, he never left the bedroom, never picked up his phone, never got online, or turned the TV on.  He spent most of the time reading books and sleeping.  I didn't bother him and I only went in there to feed him, or ask him if he needed anything?!

As he was leaving to head back home, he said, "I'm taking a piece of your tree with me, for good luck"... as he plucked one of the feathers off of my butterfly/dove tree, put it in his mouth and swallowed it.

"OMG!!!  Hahaha... You are CRAZY!" I said.  He took his scarf off and wrapped it around my neck.  Then he hugged me, kissed me on the forehead and said, "You're an angel, thank you!  This is the best 'Hotel Farfalla'... ever."  And he walked out the door.




A week or so had passed by, when I received a message from his daughter (the one that wasn't speaking to him).  His kids found out that he had been in town, over Thanksgiving weekend.  They were upset that he didn't contact any of them or tell anyone.  I shared with her, what he was going through and reassured her how much her daddy loves her and all of his children.

After our conversation, she ended up contacting her father.  She made plans to visit him for Christmas (along with the rest of her siblings), and they all rang in the New Year together.  It was a true Christmas MIRACLE.

You SEE, we often think that those that seem to have it all, don't need anything or anyone at all.  But they just might be the ones that are hurting the most.

Sometimes all a friend really needs is...

Someone to PRAY for them and to BELIEVE in them.

A place they can go to be fed and a place to REST their head.




BELIEVE... for it IS the season of MIRACLES.



4:57 hehe




25 comments:

Anonymous said...

assimilation completed.

-S-

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Oh, Lisa Marie, what a tender, touching story. I absolutely loved this! Reading this sent the magic and the wonder of Christmas and the amazing power of prayer straight to my heart.
May you have the most blessed Christmas ever! You have certainly blessed mine!

Nelieta said...

I haven`t been to your blog in a long time Lisa Marie but I am so glad I did! Wow, what a story. I was hanging onto every word that you wrote. Like Martha siad, a true Christmas story filled with hope,love,friendship and little miracles. Have a blessed Christmas!!!!!

Unknown said...

I love the story. I can already feel the true essence of Christmas! :)

Lin said...

Marvelous story --- B E L I E V E!

Debra said...

Wonderful story Lisa Marie! You have quite a few of those, but then most angels do!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas dear heart. Hugs and blessings abundant.

cindyrina said...

story is beautiful to imagine...I wish you a beautiful christmas!

Jerly said...

So thoughtful and caring of u to pray for someone. I wish you would pray all that for me too

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@-S-: YAY!!! Physically and SPIRITUALLY fed. hehe

@Martha J. M. Orlando: Thank you so much for the BEAUTIFUL comment. Merry CHRISTmas to you, too.

@Nelieta: Welcome back. Thank you for visiting and commenting. Have a blessed CHRISTmas, also.

@Faye Balatbat: Awe, thank you for the SWEET comment.

Lin: Thank you and AMEN!!!

Debra: Thank you for the AMZING compliment. May your CHRISTmas be blessed, as well. ;)

cindyrina: Thank you so much! Have a BEAUTIFUL CHRISTmas, also.

Jerly: Awe, Thank you! What a SWEET comment and I will DEFINITELY pray for you!!!













Healing Morning said...

This is my first visit to your blog. I enjoyed reading and learning a bit about you and your personal path. I'm glad that you were able to provide a safe haven and healing energy for your friend. Being there in friendship and offering no demands, just providing that quiet, simple space to breathe, rest and heal is more valuable than many realize.

Blessings to you,

- Dawn

bennjamin said...

Beautiful story. Sometimes the effect of your blogs is that my thoughts go wandering, while I'm still reading - not because the story isn't interesting but because it's like my sails are catching a wind while reading.

In fact this is like love, too. I was thinking, love is so often like something we feel we do not completely understand. I for my part feel like I understand nothing at all about it. But sometimes in our lives, we feel like we are "almost at it" at some point, a magic moment. And then it escapes us, again. But the thing is, those "almost at it" moments we do not easily forget. They are in our memories and they make us hold on to it, like something we are afraid to lose, to ignore, and ultimately - forget. We do not want to lose it because it is too beautiful to give up.

Even if someone tells us it's just a mirage, and we don't even feel like having any kind of counter-argument at hand, we will suspect such determinism to be something for people who always give up too soon when it comes to our deepest feelings. And I do understand this - I really do. But I don't want to let go. Holding on loosely, that is possible. Loosing, but not losing. Such is the love that human beings (can) experience.

In fact I think it feels like God, to many of us. I can see this connection clearly now. Love is much of a "giving thing", not a taking thing. Sounds much like God. If we cannot believe, maybe that's mostly a matter of being blind to the "giving thing".

It is really okay to give away a Christmas feather. To be a warm hand on someone's back.

To be someone's safe place.

Privy Trifles said...

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L
It sets the right mood for Christmas...

Wishing you a lovely Christmas!

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@Dawn: Yes, very true. Welcome to my blog and thank you for the kind words!

@jcm manuel: BEAUTIFUL words and YES your sails are catching WIND. hehe

"Love is much of a "giving thing", not a taking thing"

AMEN!!! And yes it IS ok to give away a Christmas FEATHER... I LOVE THAT!!! Thank you always and Merry CHRISTmas to you!

@Me: Thank you for reading and commenting. I truly appreciate it. Merry Christmas to you, also.

Galen Pearl said...

As others already said, a tender story about the true spirit of Christmas.

Jessica M said...

Very touching and beautiful post. I pray you have a very happy and meaningful Christmas.

Rachel Hoyt said...

Real rock stars eat Christmas trees, eh? :P

This is a beautiful story! I'm so glad you were able to offer him a place to rest and recover. Times like those are priceless.

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@Galen Pearl: Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

@Jessica M: Thank you for the SWEET compliment. Merry Christmas to you, too.

@Rachel Hoyt: HAHAHA! YES, they do!!! Thank you for the beautiful comment. Yes... PRICELESS. ;)

Melissa Tandoc said...

Che bello! I love how you've grown many people to read this blog. I wish many would believe as much as I do. Your words are powerful and touching.

As I read about your home being a sanctuary, I remember priests coming to ours in Africa... I love that feeling of peace that people could sense ~ the presence of Someone living there... I stayed with the feeling today...

Thank you for sharing this with us this Christmas... I truly love miracles you know...and I really need one right now ;)

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@Melissa: Grazie tanto, bella. I truly appreciate your kind words!!! Thank you, ALWAYS for sharing my blog and commenting. YES, I think we could all use a MIRACLE... right about NOW!!! Happy NEW Year. ;)

Dete said...

Hello Farfalla,
Nice blog! I agree with you that cost nothing to dream and everything not to. I like your post about going to church and what your pastor said about the need to release, whatever is inside of us. I also write a blog and invite you to stop by:
http://spiritguidemessages.blogspot.com/
I will be glad to receive your visit! Take care,
Bernadete

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@Dete: Hi Bernadete, Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I will be right over to visit your blog, thanks for the invite. :)

Unknown said...

Lisa Marie...

I just had to come back and read this post again, after a few months. I didn't even realize I didn't comment before, so now, I must!

As always, I'm inspired. I know that, if it is the same person I'm thinking of, they broke up earlier this year, which must have been heartbreaking, but at the same time, if she wasn't good for him, he is better off in the long run.

I'm so glad that he got to hear from his daughter at the time, and that the family spent Christmastime, and New Year, loving on each other and spending time together. That is such a blessing, and he IS a great father in so many ways. i certainly hope they are all closer now than they were before this whole experience...

I can just imagine him going for the not-yet-done fries; plucking your feather tree, and swallowing the feather he caught; removing the scarf (how does someone look so good with scarves!? ;) ) and placing it around you. I can see him in his home, surrounded by the blessings of his children. I can see you walking the halls praying for his back and relationships; I can see the power transfer from hands to back, and I get it...

Powerful imagery, and wonderful reminder of what life is all about.

PS --I LOVE that you have so many Christmas trees... that sounds sooo like you!

Love you!

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@Harmony Courtney: HAHAHA! Yes, I think I need a bigger place for all my Christmas trees. Thank you for your BEAUTIFUL words about him and about my blog. I truly appreciate you reading and commenting. Your words touched me deeply. Love and Blessings to you!

Unknown said...

love it lisa!!

Farfalla Dreams ~ Lisa Marie Farfalla said...

@ale gnr: Thank you! Glad you loved it. ;)