The Meaning of JASPER.

I must prepare you for this seemly odd post but I feel like there should be some explanation to why my blog is called Jasper's Hole. The name Jasper has been a code word for most of Catherine and I's relationship. In this post I hope to share how that name came about.

Early on in our relationship Cat and I would spend several hours on the phone and still do (I am thankful for Skype). I use to feed Cat with several pointless stories. We would begin our chats as any typical couple would, brushing up on the days events and laying out our next day's plans. Normally, at some point, she would ask "Tell me a story". Well I did my best to fill our 3 to 4 hours phone calls with interesting tales of my previous adventures. She really enjoyed them and in return did her best to share her own historic tales, but there came a point when both our wells ran seemingly dry. One night she asked for me to tell another story. I struggled to remember any story I may have left out but failed. So I just made one up on the spot. More of an allegory and here it is. (I am sure some of the story has changed a little but I will do my best)

Once upon a time there was this interesting rabbit named Jasper. He was a sad little rabbit. Often picked on for his small stature and ridiculed for his lowly status, he would escape his tormentors by wandering through the forest. Upon one vanishing act he ventured deep into the woods, further than he had ever gone before. Although he was a little nervous from the unfamiliar terrain, he felt liberated by the thought of discovering something new. Maybe even something so great and substantiating that he would not have the need to return to his traumatic home. The thoughtful joy excited his springs and lengthen his vault. He hopped passed beautiful rivers and through flowing fields. He journeyed for an entire sun and half a moon. But eventually his hope wore thin and his energy waned. So he snuggled against a large log, he covered his eyes with his fluffy ears and simply fell asleep.

He entered into one of his typical dreams. One where he was the most popular rabbit in his neighborwoods. He was the best athlete. He was asked to attend every party. He even had a little turmoil of deciding which bunny would accompany him to these events. In his lucid dreams he was the center of attention and life was a bliss... But as all of his dreams do, this one ended with the nightmare of reality.

Waking up was the worst part of Jasper's disturbing existence. There were a few minutes of mental conflict and verbal warfare in which he was forced to inform himself that everything that just seemed so real was in fact a fraud. After acknowledging defeat and allowing actuality to win, he slumbered upright and decided to return home. As he brushed himself off and gathered his thoughts, he noticed something peculiar about the log he fell asleep by. It was not merely a log but an entire tree that had freshly fallen. The length would have made it the tallest tree in the whole forest. As Jasper intently studied the grandeur of the tree he came up with an idea. If he hopped from the base of the tree all the way to the tip top then he could return home with a rather exclusive feat. So he did just that, he leaped from limb to limb all the way to what would normally be considered the top.

He speedily hopped home. Pass the flowing field and beside the beautiful river. Back through his familiar hide outs and to the entrance of his home. He knew it was strange that he was so excited to be back home. But he felt his story would undoubtedly lift his status to one of fame. He rushed around and gathered everyone he could find and began to tell his incredible report.

He told them how he found the tallest tree in the whole forest. He described to them the dimensions and it's beauty. They all were impressed by the glory of his narration. He then went on to share his incredible feat. He told them how he climbed the tree from the base. He hopped from limb to limb until he had reached the top. (Now of course this all was true except he left out the fact that the tree was no longer standing.) He then went on to proclaim that his accomplishment deserved some kind of recognition. But to his dismay all the other rabbits were in disbelief. After all rabbits are not known for their climbing ability. The rabbits began to call Jasper a liar and began to poke fun at him even more than before. Jasper tried to reason with them and tell them that everything he shared was the truth. But they were not willing to believe such an unreasonable story. And thus is the end of our story. Poor little Jasper was worse off than ever before.

THE END

The moral of the story - Do your devotions so you always have something interesting and truth filled to share.

I know the story is a little lame but when your girlfriend has an incredible smile, well you will do what ever it takes to put one on her face. Lucky for me, it is really easy to do so. So because of this story, Catherine and I ask each other how is Jasper or did you do your Jaspers today? Meaning of course, did you do your devotions and will you please share them with me. For one of her birthdays I took her to the Teddy Bear Factory. We made a stuffed bunny and you guessed it, we named him Jasper. He was created to remind her to do her devotions and of course remind her of me. Catherine already had a female bunny that I bought her, who's name is Pokie (my nickname for Catherine, she can tell you that story) and now Pokie and Jasper sit on Cat's bed every day, side by side. So through the years Jasper has evolved to be a little nickname for myself. Thus the meaning of Jasper's Hole. My home. :)