Threads of Change Read Online Free PDF Page B

the timber business while pouring coffee and flipping bacon. Liz said once that she believed more things in life are caught rather than taught, and that was certainly the case as the family trade passed down from generation to generation. Gathering around that breakfast table for the organization of the day’s responsibilities had become a Mailly family tradition.
    A bright, warm sun greeted the family on this morning. The clear blue sky boasted a few puffy clouds floating about. No breeze fluttered the curtains on the open window, and when the sunlight crossed the front porch and peeked through the windows, Thomas usually followed. He tried never to show up late for his first cup of coffee!
    He moseyed through the back door and greeted Lucas. Luke sat across from him, eating in complete silence. As usual, Thomas grabbed the coffee cup, poured the strong black liquid, and joined the silent breakfast table. He knew that the morning conversation would begin once Lucas completed his reading.
    Lucas’s Bible sat open to the book of Nehemiah. He looked up and greeted Thomas as he poured more coffee into the old man’s cup.
    “I don’t recall ever reading that book in the Bible,” Thomas commented.
    Lucas swallowed his coffee and set the cup back down half full. “One of my favorites. I’ve read it often.”
    “Oh,” Thomas replied. “Why?”
    “An old man does his best work,” he chuckled, “and he doesn’t hesitate to tell a group of women how to help.”
    Luke spoke for the first time that morning. “Tell me the story, Grandpa.”
    Thomas leaned one arm on the table and prepared to listen to what Lucas would say.
    “Well, Nehemiah had a big vision. He felt led by God to build back the city walls of Jerusalem. He made a plan, oversaw the work, financed it, and he prayed a lot. This story tells me to dream big, stay focused, get to work, refuse to give up, and always include God in every step along the way.”
    “What else?” Luke asked.
    Lucas looked at his audience and continued. “He had every reason to give up his dream. He didn’t think about the obstacles but looked toward the goal. The workers got tired and overwhelmed, and the town’s people were negative; some even wanted to kill him. He included the women in the plan, as well as the children, and together they accomplished the goal.”
    “Hmm,” Thomas said as he leaned back in his chair. “I like this man. Sounds like I need to read this book for myself.”
    “That’s what we have, Grandpa. We have a big goal to go west, and with lots of women!” Luke’s voice grew louder at the end.
    Thomas and Lucas laughed out loud.
    “Speaking of the women, aren’t they late coming down today?” Thomas asked. Usually breakfast was in full swing by now.
    “I heard them up half the night talking and laughing like little schoolgirls. Guess coffee and bacon is gonna be it this morning. We can cut some bread from the loaf. Butter and blackberry jam will fix it right up.”
    Thomas stood to get the bread and a knife. Luke got the jam and a spoon from the basket. About that time, they heard Lucas’s four granddaughters on the stairs. Megan and Abby appeared in the kitchen first, with Liz and Emma just a few steps behind.
    Abby, the tallest and thinnest of the four women, wore her brown hair pinned securely at the back of her head. She definitely had the poise of a schoolteacher, Thomas thought.
    “I see the Mailly breakfast ritual is as it should be,” Abby said as she greeted her grandfather with a kiss to the cheek. “The smell of bacon is the best way to wake up. I had forgotten.” Thomas figured Emma might be too young to remember much but the love and warmth of the home. She smiled and greeted her Grandpa Lucas with a kiss as well.
    “You men give up on breakfast this morning?” Liz asked as she put the teapot on the burner and stirred the flame under it. “Oh,” she continued, “Thomas, do you remember my cousins, Abby and Emma