A trip to Joey's shop, brings another interesting and unique perspective on the hidden meaning in God's creation

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TOPAZ

 

"Hey Tommy, can I ask a favor?" 

"Depends on the favor."

"Well, Diane’s birthday is right after Thanksgiving. I want to give her something special; something that says how I really feel."

Looking at his friend, Jack, Tommy chuckles.  “Don’t tell me the leopard’s changing his spots?

"Yea, I think it’s time. Watching you and Al, and now Paul with Denise, I’m getting the feeling my current act ain’t gonna go the distance if you know what I mean?"

"You’re serious," Tommy says, a different look in his eye than usual when around Jack.

"I am."

"Okay, what do you need?"

"If you can, I’d like you go with me to Joey’s shop. I know you got Al’s engagement ring there, and, well, when it comes to jewelry, I’m clueless." 

"Well, going to Joey’s is a good start. So, yea, I have some time in the middle of the week. How about Wednesday morning?"

"Sounds good."

"About eleven?"

"I’ll meet you there." 

 

Hi, Tony here. Saturday afternoon finds us at stationhouse #5. The morning chores are done and a good college football game on tap; the home town university is playing their cross-state rivals. 

The pot of Crazy Pat’s famous chili is one the stove. The gang will show up in a bit with the drinks and all the fixin’s, and an impromptu party is on tap as usual.

Jack, Aliana’s close friend Diane’s boyfriend, just arrived. As usual, Tommy’s helping Pat set up and I think Jack knew he could catch him here.

Since Tommy got Al’s engagement ring from Joey, and most of the neighborhood gang patronize Joey’s shop, I figure Jack knew if he needed advice, this was the place to come.

 

This could be interesting …. Let’s listen in ...

The bell over the door in Joey’s shop announces the arrival of another customer. This time, it’s just Tommy meeting Jack as promised.

 "Hey Jack, see you got here a bit early," Tommy says.

"Yea, thought I’d come down and look around on my own." 

Stepping out from the back room, Joey smiles. "How's Aliana, Tommy," he asks shaking Tommy’s hand. 

"Fine. She and her mom spend all their free time picking out colors, putting together the guest list … you know, crossing all the t's and dotting all the i's.  Sometimes I think her mom’s more invested in this wedding than Al." 

"Take it from me, Tommy, that's par for the course."  Pausing and spotting Jack, Joey nods in Jack's direction.

"So, who’s your friend,?" he asks.

"Oh, this is Jack, Diane’s boyfriend."

"Let me guess, Diane, one of the crew Nick calls the fearsome foursome?" 

Tommy laughs.  "One and the same."

"Hi, Jack, nice to meet you," Joey says, turning to Tommy’s buddy, shaking his hand. "Thanks for coming to my shop. What can I do for you?”

"Well, Diane’s birthday’s next week and I'm looking for something a little more significant than just candy and flowers."

"Question," Joey says. "Is this a long term relationship like our friend here."

"Never been asked that, huh, Jack?" Tommy says, chuckling at the look on Jack’s face 

"Well, maybe, Joey. But not right around the corner," Jack says.

"Then I suggest something other than a ring. Rings have a meaning you might not want to project right now."

"Yea," Jack says, "I was thinking about a pendant. She wears them all the time." 

"So, are you familiar with November's birthstone; topaz? Or maybe something else?"

"Yea, I'm thinking a birthstone piece I was looking in a couple shops in the mall. Saw something called mystic topaz. But I don’t see any here."

"Well, that's because I don’t sell it, Jack."

"Why not?"

"Well, to me, it’s virtually costume jewelry. ‘It doesn’t occur naturally and its beauty is an illusion."

"Why?"

"Because it’s coated; it's beauty is painted on."

"Nobody at the mall told me that.  They said it was a natural topaz that’s hard and durable."

"Well, that's true; but not the whole story."

"No? So, what’s the deal?" 

"It’s true, compared to a lot of other gemstones, topaz is hard and durable. The problem is the beauty of mystic topaz isn’t. Like I said, it’s coated, and with heavy wear or treated improperly, the coating can wear off. It can’t be cleaned or worked on as other gemstones are, and if a repair is needed, the nature of mystic topaz can make any repair complicated; hence expensive in relation to the value of the gemstone itself."

Saying nothing, Jack listens intently.

"It’s pretty, but again, its beauty is an illusion.  Do you want to say that in a gift on a significant occasion?"

"No, not really," 

"And to be fair to it, in an inexpensive piece not subject to heavy wear, it can be nice.  Maybe a silver pendant.  Buy it for Valentine’s Day with a box of chocolates and some flowers. Make it a fun gift; just not a statement gift." 

"Okay, so what do you suggest?"

"Well, topaz is one of my favorites because of its diversity," Joey says.

Tommy chuckles.  "Come on, Joey, they’re all you favorites."

Nodding, Joey laughs.  "You caught me. That’s true Jack, I love em’ all."

"So, diversity; how do you mean?"

Moving to the showcase featuring pieces with topaz gemstones, Joey focuses on the jewelry within, pointing to the various varieties.

"Well, there’s mystic topaz we talked about … which you don’t see here," he chuckles.

... "Next, natural heat and radiation causes colorless topaz to become a light blue. Here, man both duplicates and accelerates the natural processes to produce these beautiful blue gemstones. The color is safe, stable, beautiful, and affordable ...

... "Then there’s the precious variety, generally untreated; ranging from a pale yellow to deeper golden shades. "

"Anything else?"

"Here’s pink, both natural and in some cases, the result of a man-made treatment that intensifies the natural hue. A vivid natural untreated pink topaz can be quite expensive."

"And lastly, imperial topaz; a combination of pink, red, yellow, and orange. It’s natural, untreated, and very rare."

"And very expensive I assume?"

"Oh yea, imperial can cost thousands per carat."

"Tommy says he enjoys coming here because you find deeper meanings in the things you sell ... you know, beyond just the bling."

"That I do."

"With topaz, too?"

"Definitely."

"How so?"

"Because topaz is like people."

"Interesting … again, how so?"

"Well, there are those like mystic whose values are ‘painted on.’"  

"Next are those who like the blue; their beauty, while inherent, is the result of outside influences."

"Then there’s the precious variety, rarer and with colors of varying intensity, not the result of the sanctions of others." 

"Next is a beautiful pink topaz. A precious variety both naturally occurring and treated to become a vibrant pink. Much like those who have never compromised their values and their character."

"And finally, there is imperial; a pinkish orange apricot hue, natural, untreated, very rare and very valuable."

"A smile lights up Jack’s eyes. Thanks Joey. I feel better about getting this. Now I know something I can share with her."

Looking over the showcase before him, Jack points to a pendant with a vibrant blue teardrop shape topaz accented by several small diamonds.  

"Can I see that one."

"Certainly. It’s set in 14k gold."

Taking the pendant from Joey, Jack nods his head.

"How much?"

"Let’s see, with the gold chain, nine hundred fifty plus tax." 

"I’ll take it."

Joey chuckles. “Wait, you didn’t let me finish. Beginning Black Friday, I’m putting some select pieces on sale … kind of an incentive to shop early. This is one I’ve selected for that purpose. See the red star on the tag. So, I can make it eight fifty."

"Sold," Jack says, smiling; obviously happy with his choice.

Tommy chuckles.  "Good choice, Jack. Diane has blue eyes and knowing her, she’ll love it."

"Diane has blue eyes?" Jack asks.  "I didn’t know that."

The sound of Tommy and Joey’s laughter rebounds through the shop. Shaking his head, Tommy looks Jack in the eye.

"Oh, have you got a lot to learn, my friend …

... a whole lot to learn."

 

Again, Joey shows us how God speaks to us through his creation.

Isn’t topaz, November’s birthstone, a lot like the faith of people who identify as “Christian”, or ‘religious”

There are those whose faith is “painted on.” An illusion that fades quickly in the pressures and challenges of life.

Then there are those whose faith is the product of uncritically accepting the beliefs and views of others. Or who observe rites and rules and rituals without any deeper understanding of their meaning or significance.

Next come those whose spiritual strength and beauty is second nature. Who go beyond the superficial and to varying degrees, live it recognizing the goodness of God and the inherent dignity and beauty God has instilled in all of creation.

Then there are those living lives of heroic virtue. Natural and very rare.

And, all are royalty in the eyes of their Heavenly Father..

Which one are you …

Thinkaboutit, I’m Tony Baggz.

Copyright © 2023 Tres Angeli LLC

TONY'S TOWN RERUNS

Here we offer a previously offered episode of Tony's Town.  It might be a request from a reader who joined the folks in our neighborhood after the episode was "aired," or a previously offered episode that resonates with current events.  Or maybe we want to offer it again, just for the fun of it.  So, please enjoy.  

Not only at Easter, but at Christmas someone rose from the dead.

THE CHRISTMAS RESURRECTION STORY

 

     “You look bewildered, Father.  Can I help?”

     “Maybe, Sam; I’m stumped. I need something for my Christmas sermon. … shame Martin isn’t here; he always comes up with good ideas.”

     Pausing, he smiles at the strawberry blonde with the coffee pot in hand. 

     “Got any ideas?” 

     “You mean something more than Jesus being the great Christmas gift to mankind?”

     “Exactly, I think I’ve preached the same sermon for the last three years. I need something new.”

     Pausing, Father O’Malley sips his coffee. Setting his cup down, he breaks a cinnamon roll in half.

     “… something fresh,” he says.

     Winking, a crafty smile ambles across Sam’s face. “… the babe in the manger as a present from Heaven is getting stale, I take it?”

     “Yea,” he chuckles. “Been there, done that.  Like I said, I think I’ve preached the same sermon for the last three years.”

     “Well, a manger is a feeding trough.  How about the living bread come down from heaven and the significance of the manger itself.”

     Chuckling, Father John shakes his head. “You’ve been listening to Joey and what he teaches in RCIA, haven’t you?”

     Sam laughs and the conversation lapses as both proprietress and patron ponder the dilemma.

     Shrugging his shoulders, Father John sighs. “I need something different … something to get the creative juices flowing.”

     A playful smile wanders across Sam’s face.  Refilling the priest’s coffee cup, she chuckles softly.

     “Well, how about the Christmas resurrection story?”

 

     Hi I’m Tony Baggz.  It’s the Tuesday morning before Christmas here in Sam’s bistro. Christmas is Saturday, and Father John is at the front table; notepad and pen in hand, enjoying morning coffee and a cinnamon roll. 

     Seems this morning finds him working on the sermon for the Christmas masses and seems he’s in a bit of a quandary.  He and Martin Williams, the pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist often collaborate on the sermons they preach in their respective congregations. Unfortunately, Martin’s under the weather this morning so it’s just the good priest and the bistro’s proprietress.

     Sam’s suggestion is intriguing, and from the look on the padre’s face, I get a feeling he’s thinking the same thing.  This could be interesting.

     What do you say we grab a cup of coffee and listen in…

 

     “Resurrection is an Easter concept, Sam.  Christmas is the promise, Easter is the promise fulfilled. Christmas is the great gift of Himself, given by God to mankind.  That’s generally the nature of homilies at Christmas masses. Like I said, resurrection is an Easter topic. Not sure if it fits.”

     “Okay, but there is one definite resurrection that takes place at Christmas. You just have to look a bit for it.”

     Another puzzled look ambles across the priest’s face.

     “Resurrection story? I don’t understand; what resurrection story … how about a hint?”

     Smiling, she bends toward Father John and whispers …

     …  “Ebenezer.”

     Pausing a moment, a look of dawning understanding replaces the confusion on the priest’s face.

     “You’re talking, Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim. Granted, a classic; but not the usual stuff of a Christmas homily.”

     A playful smile ambles across Sam’s face. “Oh, I don’t know; a man coming back from the dead certainly seems religious to me. Maybe ole Ebenezer coming back from the dead at Christmas, foreshadows an even greater resurrection?”

     Father Bob pauses a moment.  “… back from the dead” he muses, half to himself.  “Dicken’s, A Christmas Carol. I always liked the one with George C. Scott as Scrooge.” 

     “I always liked that one growing up, too,” Sam says. “But in my house, now it's The Muppet Christmas Carol. It's Emily Ann’s favorite.”

     “Stephanie loved it too ... still does actually,” Father John chuckles. “She has the DVD; plays it every Christmas. Gotta admit, her passion for that version of the story has also infected my appreciation for the classic tale.”

     Chuckling softly, Sam gently shakes her head. “To be honest, Father, I’ve seen the Muppet version so many times, I can sing along with the vegetables when Scrooge makes his appearance”

     “…if Scrooge was a flavor, he’d be sour …” Father John laughs.  “Guess who else has seen it more than a couple of times, he says, winking at Sam.”

     Topping off the priest’s cup, Sam’s words become more introspective.

     “But seriously, think of it; Scrooge is despised by everyone. His greed, his lack of civility, charity, and decency makes him like the gold he craves; cold and hard. There’s no life in a gold coin, and there’s certainly no life in the soul of a man like Scrooge.”

     “You’ve got a point, Sam. When a man has no value, or maybe better, the only value he has is his hard, cold, lifeless gold coins, in a sense, he’s dead. At least spiritually, and probably emotionally.”

     Pausing and looking up at Sam, Father John extends a chair.  

     “If you have the time, Sam, please have a seat and we’ll hatch a sermon, together,” he says, laughing softly.

     Taking the offered seat and pouring herself a cup of coffee, Sam continues her thought.

     “And if Christmas is the gift of life and the promise of redemption, eternal life, and unending and happiness, then Scrooge was offered his life back.”

     “Interesting take, Sam,” Father John says.

     His enthusiasm for Sam’s idea growing, Father John begins jotting notes on his notepad.

     “Christmas is about gifts. The Magi gave gifts to the Christ child; St. Nicholas gave gifts in honor of the Christ child, and the child in the manger gives Scrooge a gift from above,” the priest says, a faraway look in his eyes as he ponders the implication of Dickens’ story.   

     Pausing, Sam tops off both coffee cups and asks her assistant manager, Leslie, to bring a couple more pastries.

     “Scrooge is dead, at least spiritually," the priest says as he writes. "So, Christ sends Ebenezer a gift; the Holy Spirit in the form of the three ghosts of Christmas.”

     Pausing to sip his coffee, a sparkle illuminates Father’s eyes.

    “A trinity of ghosts,” he says.  “An interesting number don’t you think?”

     “You’re thinking the three ghosts are an allegory for the three persons in the trinity as in God always was, is now, and always will be,” Sam says. “Kinda like Scrooge sees in a night, what was, is now, and will be.”

     Nodding in agreement, Father John looks up from his notepad and smiles at his muse.

     “A trinity of ghosts provides Scrooge a look at the totality of his life; where the past has brought him, the present finds him, and his future will ultimately lead him,” he says.

     “Christ gave Scrooge gifts from beyond; the gifts of life, of love, and joy,” Sam says aloud as the priest writes with renewed fervor. “Ebenezer was dead to all that life holds joyous, and he was given the gift of rising from his greed, from his apathy and his cruel, callous nature, to a man held in esteem for his warmth, his compassion, and his generosity.”

     Pausing to sip her coffee, Sams eyes light up. “Do you think he was given the insight to see in Tiny Tim and the Cratchit’s in their poor little home, a similar family struggling in a manger many years ago?”

     “Interesting thought, Sam,” Father John says, chuckling softly and again jotting down her words in his folder.

     “But no matter how you look at it,” Sam continues, “Scrooge rose from a life of greed and apathy to one alive with joy, compassion, and love for all; especially those less fortunate. He realized joy is found, not in acquisition, but in expression; in giving of himself and his talents. In giving love.”

     “Yea, Sam,” Father John says. “Through the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, a lost soul is resurrected from the dead. Are we extending the concept of resurrection? … yea, a bit. But coming back from the dead, in whatever form death presents itself, is a resurrection.”

     Smiling, Sam nods at Father John’s words.

     “And, like Joey teaches in the RCIA program,” she says, “if love is the heart, the mind, and the soul’s recognition of those unmatched gifts in all of us, then what Ebenezer found …

     … surely brought him back from the dead.”

 

     Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, “sometimes the only way God can enter a human heart, is to break it.”  Do you think the good Archbishop penned that thought while watching a production of Charles Dickens’ classic; A Christmas Carol?

     If he’s like Sam, her little girl Emily Ann, Father John’s daughter, Stephanie, and okay, I admit, me too, he may well have been big a fan of Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat, and Mr. Caine; not to mention Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and all the rest of the world according to Jim Henson.

     Jesus raised three people from the dead.

     Mr. Dickens’ story raises an interesting possibility …

     … might there have been a fourth?

     Thinkaboutit … I’m Tony Baggz.

 Copyright © 2023 Tres Angeli Publishing LLC

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