About the Cover
This simple sketch is over 100 years old. It hung in the farm house I was raised in as a small boy. The artist was a relative on the Jackson side of my family tree. The original sketch now hangs in the cabin where I live.

My grandmother tried to explain the meaning of the sketch to me when I was eight years old, but it was way over my head. Now that I have entered the final chapter of my long journey, I look at the sketch a lot differently than I did when my grandmom talked to me about it so long ago.

The old man is not only old but very wise. The sweet, mellow smell from his pipe is now an integral part of him. The fragrance of Spring completelysurrounds the young girl. As she tells him about his upcoming long journey,you can see the slight smile on his face. He knows his next journey will besoon and very short. I suspect that he will give her very little advice. Heknows that unraveling the mysteries and finding your own answers are whatmake our long journeys worthwhile.
~ Poppy

About the Stories
You may find some of them are sad, some funny, and some a little mysterious. However, I hope they rekindle and stir emotions you have hidden deep inside you-for a very long time.