Book Excerpt

Fran shares a chapter from the best-selling book,

COURAGE FOR THE CHICKEN-HEARTED: HUMOROUS
AND INSPIRING STORIES FOR CONFIDENT LIVING
(Copyright Fran Caffey Sandin, 1998)

HENS AND NEIGHBORS, GATHER ‘ROUND
By Fran Caffey Sandin

“Mom,” my daughter had told me, “you might really enjoy using a round brush when you blow dry your hair. They’re great for adding body and bounce.” Since my medium-length hair was an odd combination of thick and fine, I was open to suggestions.

The next time I went grocery shopping, guess what? I was thrilled when I found a cute, small, round brush for the discounted price of 99 cents. Since I love a good bargain and could envision my hairstyle undergoing a glamorous transformation, I grabbed the beauty tool from the marked-down basket and hurried home to give it a whirl.

As soon as I walked into my kitchen, I plopped down the bag of groceries, turned on the radio and began humming. While putting cans away in the pantry, I ran across my new purchase and thought, I wonder how this brush works? Right where I stood by the kitchen counter, I reached up, grabbed a bunch of hair from the top of my head, and tucked the strands into the bristles of the tiny brush. Then I began winding and winding. And winding—while musing, Hmm, this is just like rolling spaghetti on a fork. I was amazed at how many turns I could make.

But I was even more surprised when I discovered the brush that had so beautifully wound up my hair, now refused to let go. I flew into the bathroom, hoping a mirror would help me see a way to release by locks from the evil contraption. I pulled and tugged in all directions. My efforts only succeeded in tightening the tangles. My chicken heart skipped a beat as I imagined being stuck with this bonehead attachment forever—like Pebbles from the Flintstones!

Then I remembered my hen friend, Gracie, who lived only a few blocks down the street. Quickly, I dialed her number. When she answered I stammered, “Gracie, are you my friend?—my really good friend?”

“Sure,” she said reassuringly, “what’s wrong?”

“Well, is it okay if I come over—like, right now?”

“Yes, but what’s the matter?”

“You’ll know when you see me.” When I hung up the phone, I felt a combination of urgency and relief. I ran out the door jumped into the car, and raced toward Gracie’s house like some hair-brained woman.

Considering my delicate condition, I was hoping no one would see me. But while rounding the corner, my hopes were dashed. There stood a rather dignified-looking lady in her designer jogging suit. As I drove by, there was little I could do but smile and wave at her. From my rearview mirror I watched her head slowly swivel in my direction, a look of shock rising on her face. I tried to reassure myself, Maybe she’ll think I’m starting a new trend—“brush-roll-n-go.”

The minute I pulled up to Gracie’s sidewalk, she flung open her front door and immediately began laughing. Stepping out to meet me she asked, “What have you done to yourself?”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so I scooted inside, closed the door and blurted, “Help! Gracie, this is serious. What am I going to do? I cannot get this brush out of my hair. I have pulled and jerked in every direction, but the brush keeps on taking wrong turns. Can you work on it? Please? I know you can do it. I have confidence in you, Gracie. Please.”

“Well, let me get the scissors,” Gracie quipped with a twinkle in her eye.

“Oh no! That’s what Jim would do.”

After a pause of playful hesitation, Gracie said, ”You poor, pitiful chick. Have a seat at my kitchen table.”

Gratefully, I scooted my chair into place as I fondly thought, Gracie and I have shared many cups of tea and talked each other through so many ups and downs around this table. Now here I was in the middle of yet another situation I simply could not handle without my friend and neighbor.

With the tender-loving care of a mother hen, Gracie began the arduous task of unwinding the mess of matted hair, strand by strand. Though it sometimes hurt when she pulled, I didn’t dare squawk or cackle. A little pain was better than the wig I’d have to buy if this operation proved unsuccessful. After 15 or 20 minutes of concentrated effort, punctuated by outbursts of laughter, Gracie triumphantly declared, “TA DA!”

Then she sang out, “Here’s your lovely hairstyling accessory,” as she showed me the brush. It looked like a hamster that had been caught in a whirlwind.

I grabbed the beastly brush and asked Gracie, “Where’s the nearest trash can?”

Thankfully, only part of my hair stayed with the bargain brush. I touched the top of my head and found some remnant. Breathing a sigh of gratefulness, I gave Gracie a big hug and promised I would “be there” if she ever needed me to do anything. Ever. At all.

Later as I reflected on my emergency I thought how thankful I was to have Gracie as my neighbor. What would I have done without her? Then I began thinking about how important it is for us to reach out, especially to those who live around us.

Before the days of air-conditioning, folks spent time on their front porches, often chatting with their neighbors. Most activities revolved just around the church and the school instead of the myriad of “extracurriculars” which now bombard us. Hens had quilting bees; roosters helped each other build fences and barns. Now, in our mobile society and insulated houses, we have to make an extra effort to get to know our neighbors.

Sometimes I am so busy with my own “to-do” list, I fail to be a good neighbor. But when I do take the time, it helps me capture warm feelings of community. I begin to have compassion for the struggles of others. There are so many ways to show concern. Sometimes all it takes is a telephone call, stretching a recipe to have an extra plate of warm, homemade goodies, or even just sharing a good book.

My brush with “the brush” taught me just how important is is to develop relationships before a crisis occurs (not to mention buying a large round brush). No matter how independent we think we are, there’ll be times when we desperately need someone who cares (and is even willing to “de-brush” our hair).

Love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 19: 19

Hens and Neighbors
By Fran Caffey Sandin

Would you like a cup of coffee
Or perhaps a cup of tea?
Dear Hen Next Door
Please take time to notice me.

When I need a soft shoulder
Or should you need mine,
We’ll choose flexibility,
Leave those “Organizers” behind.

I promise to come a strutin
If ever you should shout.
Rest assured I’ll be there
If your feathers all fall out.