Big Sisters
Hello Ladies and a pleasant October to all.
This month finds some of us readying ourselves for fall while others are looking forward to the soft pastel days of spring. Our garden has gone through many transitions this past month, and all are settled in and ready for some enjoyment.
With the holidays approaching, the smell of apple cider, and fresh baked pies come to mind. I always look forward to the holidays and the closeness and fun our garden sisters share with each other during this time. I would like to take this time to congratulate our Little Sisters Becky, Dawn, Debbie, Kelly, Rose, Sue and Susan who have graduated and a great big welcome to those who have stepped into our garden of Big Sisters.
Also, a very special congratulations to out SOTM; Big Sister Kesia aka Nasty Angel and Little Sister Nita aka Watergoddess. Our Sisters Garden has been busy working on a continuing story that we would like to share with our readers. We were quite pleased with the outcome and hope you enjoy reading as well. It was a cold winter afternoon; the sun had tried to shine all day but had been blocked by a pewter colored bead curtain of rain. They had promised to meet by the river at the end of their day. Two hearts – still very much in love after all these years.
It had to be the end of the day – that was the only time they could get away from those who feel the need to control these lives. They have been in love since they were in their teens but life dealt them a difficult hand and they both made different lives – marrying and raising families. Now this was their time – when they could meet and be together. They felt secretive, excited and young again as they took advantage of the change of shift at the nursing home, to sneak out to be together. This was going to be a difficult meeting because of the rain,……
And it wasn’t only the rain they had to deal with. There was also “The General”. At just over 5ft, what she lacked in height she more than made up for in attitude. She would parade the hallways, clipboard tucked firmly under her arm, her stern eyes deftly noting if anything was out of place. If she saw anything she was unhappy with, there was no need for her to speak. She had a way of looking at people that would cause their insides to shrivel up in fear, and they found themselves instinctively saying “yes, ma’am. No, ma’am.” If she caught them outside, in the rain…well, they didn’t want to think about what she would do.
Feeling like spies on a secret assignation, the two of them crept slowly along the cement path that ran around the nursing home, keeping to the shadows provided by the side of the building. Not that they could have gone faster if they wanted. She had a bad hip from a fall 7 years ago, and his arthritis was playing up again, thanks to the rain!
The thrill of being wickedly mischievous drove them on towards their secret place.
He looked down at her shivering lips, took off his thin jacket placing it around her shoulders... She looked into his eyes and it was as if time froze...He could still remember the year....1957.
High School Sock Hop...hanging with his friends and seeing her from across the room.....Giggling and pulling at her ponytail...Nervously, he made his way across the school gym...she was so beautiful... Her eyes gleamed like 2 perfect gems...he asked her to dance. The night was young, the moon was full....and they knew it was love at first sight.
But the cards had been dealt. Their lives were different. Her father owned most of the towns businesses and he was just a small town boy who worked as a farmhand after school. It was a love that would never be allowed. But secretly they agreed to meet. Every evening as the sun went down...the oak on the hill next to Patron's Creek became the secret spot. A place where forbidden love bloomed..
He came to his senses as the rain started to ease up and they knew they had to leave before the general caught them. “Where will we go Jed,” she asked him. “Amy, my love, I have the perfect place in mind, just wait and you will see,” he replied. Suddenly, they heard a noise from just around the corner. They stopped dead in their tracks. They didn’t dare to move. What if it was the general? What will she do? They held their breath and waited in complete silence. They noticed a shadow coming toward them. They couldn’t move now. They were petrified with fear. Looking toward the ground, the shadow had come to where they were. It was just a cat. They sighed with relief and made their escape into the rainy night. He opened the car door for her and she slid in, reached over, and unlocked his door. He got in as fast as an old man could and they drove off into the night. “Where are we going,” she asked once more before noticing an old familiar road; it was the road that led down to the river. “Don’t worry my darling, you will see soon enough,” he told her smiling. As the vehicle pulled along the parking area near the river they got out and took a deep breath. They both remembered this place. They started walking hand in hand toward the bank of the river…
As they approached the Oak Tree, they found there was already a couple beneath her graceful arms, shielding themselves from the rain, which had now become a slight sprinkle. Trying to decide where they should enjoy their quiet time together, they walked arm in arm along the river bed. As they came around the bend they discovered the perfect spot to enjoy each others company. They spread their blanket beneath the shade of the most beautiful Weeping Willow they had ever seen. Her long, beautiful branches reached out over the river, dipping her delicate fingers into the rippling waters. As they sat together quietly, Jed thought to himself, this is the perfect place to ask Amy to marry me. I had thought I could not find a more suited place, than beneath the shade of our favorite Oak; however, I may have been wrong.
Jed came from his thoughts, as Amy whispered, "I do so love it here”. His reply was simply, “It pales in comparison to your beauty.” Settling into Jed’s arms, Amy looked across the river to the banks of the far side. The field across from them was over shadowed by darkness, but they both knew in the daylight hours, it was alive the dancing colors of wild flowers.
"My Beautiful Amy, what more could I want, than to rest with you in my arms for the remainder of my life. It seems I have waited a life time for this moment; you would make me the proudest man alive, if you would only walk beside me as my wife throughout eternity." Taking the ring from his pocket, he brought his arms around Amy and said, "Please do me the honor of being my wife."
Amy’s cheeks blushed as his words rang out, was she hearing this again? Was it a dream? She smiled at the acknowledgement that he would ask her this again. The joy she felt at hearing those words and at this age; her mind soared among the clouds and not even the rain could dampen the joy that raced through her. Amy's breath grew short as the reality of the question heard long ago was uttered again. This is her chance to right the wrongs done them many years before. Had Amy realized that her children’s decision to put her in the nursing home would bring her back to the arms of her long lost love Jed, she would have never fought them. The early stages of Alzheimer’s had begun to steal Amy’s recent memories but even Alzheimer’s couldn’t keep her from remembering Jed’s arms, so strong and full of comfort. Amy was startled as she heard the young couple who they passed on the way to their perfect spot, they were giggling and talking about the future they would have together just as she and Jed had done. Panic set in at that moment because Amy knew that her time with Jed would be short. Knowing the preciousness of time, Amy looked long and deep into Jed’s eyes, “Jed, to be your wife is what I have always wanted.” She slowly slipped her finger into the gold band....
The ring slipped easily onto Amy's finger. A silent tear crept down her cheek showing how happy she truly was. Jed gently stroked her cheek as they stared into each others eyes. Suddenly, Amy reached up and kissed him. "I've been wanting to do that for years," she giggled. They heard a car pull up some distance away with the music blaring, but it wasn't modern. It was the first song they had ever danced to at the sock hop. Jed stood up and held his hand out to Amy. She gladly accepted. They danced together for what seemed like hours. It was as if time was standing still for them. Amy wished in the bottom of her heart that she could go back and live her life with him regardless of the consequences.
As they sat underneath the willow’s weeping branches, they watched the sun set with its beautiful golden rays delicately dancing across the sky. There was a gentle breeze that swayed the branches gently as if it were rocking a newborn baby to sleep. Smiling, he held her close and she, taking a deep breath, sunk into him. "You know, Amy," he said, “I know the old oak will always be our favorite tree, but now we will have two; one tree to remember our troubled love as youths and the other tree for our future love.” "Oh, Jed, you were always the most romantic man," she replied with a grin. Slowly, they both got up and started back toward the car. They now had to figure out their next move. Would they go back to the nursing home? If they did, what would the General say or do? Would they just pick up and leave to an unknown destination? Thoughts of what the General might do raced in their minds and instantly they knew what to do. It was off to some unknown destination. They no longer cared what their families thought; they had been kept apart for far too long. This was their chance for true love; a chance they thought had passed….
Our door is always open and we hope you will consider joining us for a taste of delight.....
Love & Hugs,
Sister's Garden Staff
Aletha, Aran, Kesia, Megan, Linda in Oz & Suzanne