Out in the superior national forest in 2001 their was a family that lived along lake Wilson. The Dad was tall, slender, blonde hair, green eyes, and built like a semi-truck. He worked with the forest control, so he wasn’t home very much. The Mom had blue eyes and brown hair, and was as skinny as a broom. They had two sons and one daughter; the sons were named Mark and Jarred. Mark was 16 years old, tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, and as round as a giant pumpkin. Jarred was short, 18 years old, brown hair, green eyes, and skinny just like his mom. The daughter was named Faith, she was athletic, short, had brown hair, and blue eyes that were as bright as the sun, and very attractive.

“Look it is a carrot in our garden”, said Jarred. ”So it’s still not a pumpkin” said Mark sadly. ”We’re never going to get a pumpkin, besides it’s only a pumpkin what would we do with it?!?” Mark is very mad and can’t believe his pumpkin won’t grow. ”You’re wrong! You’ll see it grow, just wait 5 weeks.” “Whatever”

“Dad’s home”, said Mark cheerfully.” Hey, how are you doing?” said their Dad. ”My pumpkin won’t grow.” “Son I don’t know if your pumpkin will ever grow.” “Supper’s ready” said their Mom. “Oh boy! My favorite meal ever.” Said Faith. The meal was mashed potatoes, green beans, fried okra, fried chicken , mayonnaise, and to top it off with some grape cool-aid. They had just finished supper when a pumpkin man came by to sell some pumpkins.

“I wish my pumpkins could grow”, said Mark. “That’s the color of a blazing’ fire”, said Jarred. They went to bed that night. “C’mon man! I don’t want to wake up it’s only 6:30” said Jarred. Their Dad went on a trip to New York this morning for a business trip. After an hour of being at school Mark, Jarred, and Faith heard about the planes that hit the twin towers and the pentagon. They came home after school seeing their mom baling knowing that their dad just died.

“Today we are gathered here to remember John F. Manton”, said the pastor at the funeral. Faith had refused to go to the funeral, and the rest of the family left early cause’ they couldn’t stand it any longer. Now Jarred was drawn to pray for his Dad and his family. “Dear Father, please be with my Dad. Please accept him as a man that deeply loves you. Please comfort him, and comfort our family, through his death let us come closer to you. I know that we are not the only family that has gone through this. There are a couple hundred families that lost relatives. Please be with those families and comfort them so that they can come to you through this tragedy. I pray all these things in your name, Amen.”

Its been a long month, they have finally learned to let go and move on. They’re going back to school now. Jarred was very clumsy and has an overbearing amount of homework. He always told people that he made people feel warm inside; when someone’s sad he makes them feel better. Also that he had many layers of a personality; sometimes he’s greedy, nice, or annoying. He grippes on to others ideas and takes advice from other people. For dinner they had meat and potatoes, nothing special. Faith cooked tonight so it was a little overcooked. Their Mom couldn’t sleep at all. Now it has been three weeks since Mark said it would be five weeks before the pumpkin would grow.

The pumpkin seed had now started opening and you could see a little bit of the plant. “Told you it would grow”, said Mark to Jarred. “So what my carrots are more abundant than your pumpkins.” “I’m growing one pumpkin, not plural, uno, pronto.” “Just to prove me wrong go ahead rub it in. It worked, so what, it doesn’t mean anything to anyone else.” Those words stabbed Mark right in the heart.

Today was the start of homecoming week for the north shore giants. For the first day of the week it was Yankee day. Faith had gone all out for Yankee day; she even wore a feather in her hat.” Hey Faith”, said Turner a boy from school. “oh, hey Turner”, said faith.” So I was thinking Faith, do you want to go to the homecoming dance with me.” “I’ll think about it and get back to you tomorrow.”

“Hey guys how was school”, said mom. “It was great!” said the three in unison. ”Guess what?” said Faith to her Mom. “What?” “I got asked to the Homecoming dance.” “No ways I hope he’s a good choice.” “I think I’ll say yes, but he told me to think about it and I don’t know.” “Honey whatever decision you make, I know it’s the right one.” “Thanks Mom.”

“Hey Turner”, “So what did you decide Faith.” “I’ll tell you at lunch, I haven’t fully decided yet.” She went to her favorite class, Physics. It was her favorite class but all she could think about was whether or not to say yes. “Wow! That’s the lunch bell already.” “Hey Faith have you decided yet.” “Yes, I have decided to say yes to you.” “Thank you so much that means so much to me.” “Under one condition, you have to meet my mom.” “Alright I’ll come by tomorrow.” “See you at the game.”

When mark got home from school he went to his garden and saw that his pumpkin had about four more days to grow. He was very sad because he didn’t have a girl to take to the dance with. It was already dark when it was time to go to the dance. Faith was so excited. “Hey turner you look nice” “you to faith” “thanks”

It was a very romantic night. Faith had her first kiss and she raised her right leg. When mark came home he saw that his pumpkin grew he was so excited. They had pumpkin pie for thanks giving with his pumpkin.