Burned Biscuits* (*NOW WITH MORE T-REX)

Burned Biscuits – A lesson we all should learn.

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!

All my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing…never made a face nor uttered a word about it!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said, “Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then.”

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, “Your Mom put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides–a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!”

Suddenly, the house shook violently, the bedroom wall collapsed, and a T-Rex burst into the room.

Dad screamed. Mom ran into the room and screamed. The T-Rex screamed back, surveying the room, ready for its next meal.

“What do we do?” wailed Mom.

“I know!” said Dad. He ran out of the room, and ran back a few seconds later carrying a basket.

“Take this, T-Rex!” he shouted. He hurled the basket at the T-Rex. The T-Rex saw the basket tumbling towards him and opened his massive jaws. Just before they closed, I saw biscuits come tumbling out. Mom’s burned biscuits!

The T-Rex chomped and swallowed the biscuits. Then he lowered his head, as if he was about to eat us next.

“He’s lowering his head, as if he’s about to eat us next!” screamed Mom.

Just then, the T-Rex stumbled to the left smashing a chair, then to the right, smashing my hamper. He let out a mournful cry, and then backed out of the room, his little T-Rex hands clutching his middle.

“Yay!” shouted Dad. “If anything could take down a T-Rex, it’s Mom’s biscuits!”

There was silence in the room. Dad looked at Mom, who was glaring back at him.

“Really?” said Mom.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. But what I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine. And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has enriched your life–I just did!

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Perhaps against a T-Rex.