Hazel Gets a Surprise Visit

Hazel Gets a Surprise Visit


Hazel was feeling unusually chipper one warm September morning. She had on her new silver and gray jogging outfit and she was ready to take Mitzi, her white and gray poodle, for a run. As usual, she had all of her housework done by nine a.m. and was ready to jog. (She left the remainder of the housework, which was a great deal---laundry and cleaning of the kitchens and bathrooms for the maid to do. Betty, the Maid, often arrived after nine and was there until noon.) Betty was seldom spoken to and was given cheap gifts at Easter and Christmas for her work. Hazel had just finished grooming Mitzi for the run when the doorbell rang. She muttered to herself, “Now who could that be at nine o’clock in the morning?” She guessed that it was probably one of those “church” persons who were always at her door trying to sell her their faith. As she opened the door, her heart stopped a beat. It was someone she never expected to see at her door---sister Elizabeth.

“Well, if it isn’t my long, lost sister, Lisabeth.” She never, ever called her sister by her rightful name, Elizabeth. “Come on in, if you dare!”

Elizabeth smiled and said, “Hazel, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you, I wanted to see you and see how you’re doing. I don’t see you much.

Hazel smiled her Cheshire cat smile and let her in. They both walked into the spacious and highly decorated living room. Mitzi followed close behind, eyeing suspiciously the stranger interrupting their personal routine. Hazel asked, “Would you like some coffee? I can make some instant real quick! Maid’s not here yet, but I’ll do my best.”

“No, thank you, Hazel. I just wanted to talk with you a bit. I won’t take up much of your time. I know that you’re busy.” (Elizabeth always felt when she visited Hazel that she had to hurry with her conversation.)

Hazel reluctantly sat down opposite Elizabeth in her luxurious and large recliner. She thought to herself, I wonder what she wants now.

Elizabeth began, “You know Hazel, we’re sisters and we never see each other. To be honest, I do get a bit lonely when Randy’s on the road. Randy was her husband and he was a computer salesman. He seldom was home and that left the responsibility of home and errands to her. This made life for Elizabeth lonely and sometimes sad. Hazel knew all of this but never offered in any way to comfort or listen to her sister. Elizabeth continued, “I was wondering if we could go shopping together or maybe go to church sometime. It would be good to spend some time with you. I miss your friendship. Sometimes the four walls close in on me.”

Hazel looked at her and smiled. She just knew that Lizabeth wanted something. Right again, she thought.

“Well now, Lizabeth. We don’t want you all lonely now, do we? Tell you what, why don’t we go shopping this coming Thursday? Modern Styles is having a sale on jogging outfits and evening dresses. Want to go?”

Elizabeth replied, “Why yes, that would be great! Let’s do that!” They talked a bit more and then Hazel said she had to get going on her run. Elizabeth left, excited about Thursday and being with her sister. Know what happened?

Hazel did go to Modern Styles and many other stores that day---but not with Elizabeth. She went with old Jean Snooty, the town gossip and local librarian. She didn’t even have the courtesy to call Elizabeth and tell her about the change of plans. Poor Elizabeth waited and waited. No phone call, no Hazel. Elizabeth was sad and hurt that day. It was another disappointment for someone who thought that they could trust and rely on Hazel.

Do you think that Elizabeth learned a lesson here? What lesson do you think she learned?

Copyright 2011 Toni Star

The McGreedys Finally Have a Real Christmas

Henry and Harriett knew that their Christmas dinner this year would be like all the others, catered! In fact, neither one of them could recall their mother, Hazel, ever cooking a real Christmas dinner. For years, all dinners had been brought in and it looked like nothing but catered, for the future. This year Harriett and Henry decided to go on a “catered food strike.” Yes, rebellion was in the air! They wanted a real home cooked meal and that was that!

The children spoke to their father, Harold about getting a real home cooked meal for Christmas. Harold shoke his head, knowing his wife never cooked anything bigger than bacon and eggs or a quick mix pizza. Hazel hated cooking and made sure everyone knew it. Harold tried to explain this to the children but finally advised them to ask their mother. Maybe, just maybe, she would relent, he thought.

Henry and Harriett thought over their father’s advice. After thinking the situation through, the children decided that rather than face their mother’s wrath, they would endure another brought-in meal.

Christmas day arrived. At noon the caterers arrived. Their mother, Hazel, sat at the head of the dinner table ready to be served while the children and their father sat on either side of the table, attentive to her needs. The children nibbled some of the food laid out before them. A huge cooked turkey sat in the middle of the table. It was about 20 pounds, the children guessed. Dressing, cranberries and desert surrounded the huge turkey. Soon, the children lost all interest in the dinner and left to watch TV.

In the afternoon, Hazel wanted to go to the Mall to see if any stores might be open so she could exchange some gifts she received. She often didn’t like what people got her for Christmas. Harold packed his family into their brand new station wagon and all were on their way. He used a short cut, going down some side streets. Henry and Harriett looked through the car windows and realized their father was driving through a bad part of town. They became frightened and nervous. What would happen to them if the car broke down?

“Hurry up, father! Drive faster!” they both cried.

“What are we doing in this part of town anyway?” Hazel asked. “You know that this is a dangerous area, don’t you, Harold?”

“Yes, I do, he answered. ‘I wanted all of you to see something before we go to the Mall.”

Slowly Harold pulled into a gravel driveway and stopped. In front of them was an old, one story brick building, all run down.

“I want the children to come with me,” he said getting out of the car.” Where are we going, father?” Harriett was a bit anxious. This was something the family had never done before.

“We are going to take the remains of our Christmas dinner to the people who live in this shelter. Every year your mother orders more than we can eat and every year I bring what’s left here for these people to enjoy. This year I thought maybe you’d like to help me.”


Hazel sat in the car listening to her husband with an astonished look on her face. She thought out loud, “So that’s where the leftovers go!”

“That’s right, Hazel. OK kids, let’s go!”

As the children followed their father into the shelter, they saw many people waiting for them. Never before had the children seen people who had so little to eat. The people looked tired, poor and hungry. All of their lives Harriett and Henry had everything they wanted. Today their father brought them face to face with an entirely different world. For the first time in their lives, they learned what Christmas and sharing was all about. For them, Christmas would never be the same. They would never forget the smiles and joy of the people in the shelter. Harriett and Henry finally had a wonderful Christmas and so did the people of the shelter!

Introducing the McGreedy Family

Introducing The McGreedy Family

In every city and town there are quirky, trendy and greedy people, people like the McGreedys. They are a peculiar type of human. Once you’ve read this story, maybe you’ll agree.

The McGreedy family consists of: Harold, the father, Hazel the mother, Henry their son and Harriett, their daughter. The McGreedys live in a big, fancy home and have two beautiful cars, both brand new and methodically cleaned and waxed once a month. The new cars take them only to important places and important people. You see, this family loves and lives for just for themselves! They work and play only so others will notice them and say, “Wow, aren’t they a rich, handsome and wonderful!”

The McGreedy family has many toys and trendy appliances in their huge ten bedroom home. They love to buy and own “things.” Harold, the father, has many television sets in his home. He’s often fond of saying, “No son or daughter of mine will be without a television set.”
Hazel, the mother, has many diamond rings and fur coats that she loves to show off, especially when the family goes visiting.
Harriett, the coy but beautiful daughter, has dozens of dresses and sweaters and Henry has five bicycles…blue, red, yellow, green and white. (Henry often mutters to himself, “You just never know when you might need an extra bike.”)

This McGreedy family doesn’t have many friends and they can’t understand why. (Do you think there might be a reason why no one wants to be their friend?) They dress beautifully in all the newest fashions. They’re very smart, or so they think. They often trek to their local library; although they rarely go there to read; they go there only to see and be seen.

Often at night, at the dinner table one of them will say, “I wonder why no one comes to visit us? We’re a rich family and besides we have so many new things!”

The McGreedys have only one family on their block that likes them. This family that likes them so much is the Shellfish Selfish Family. They like the McGreedys because they have so much in common with them. The Shellfish Selfish Family comes to visit the McGreedys about twice a month. Both families have great fun when they’re together and talk about how sad it is that everyone isn’t as wonderful, smart and rich as they are.

The McGreedys and the Shellfish Selfish families, like other families you might know, live a blissfully happy life until life drops a problem into their lap. Whenever the Shellfish Selfish and McGreedy families get sick, get bad grades, have to fix an ailing car, or are told that they are being pests, they get angry, cry and often have terrible, loud temper tantrums. Often, they begin blaming all of their worries and problems on others. It doesn’t take much to put them in a whirling tailspin. Why, they get angry even if someone on their block wears new clothes or buys a DVD or different brand of computer that they don’t have.

As the McGreedy family gets older, they find themselves all alone. No one wants to be with them for they have let their greed and selfishness take over everything in their lives. As the family ages, they all just sit around and talk about their cars, jewelry, coats and cash. They make fun of others and blame strangers for their problems.

You see, if a family stays greedy and selfish all their lives, they end up bitter, and all alone. Money, toys and such are nice. We all like them and want them but all these things will eventually rust, decay, get lost or be given away. What really lasts are friendship and family.

People like the McGreedys come and go, just like the money that they spend. It is important, you might ponder, to put your love, trust and happiness in a higher power and people you love, instead of things. You will quickly find that people are far more loving and precious than gold or silver and cost you nothing more than time and caring. No one should end up alone and lonely, not even the McGreedy family. But, the McGreedys will end up alone because they never learn. But, thank goodness, it’s not too late for you and me. We still have time

Copyright Toni Star 2011