Monday, October 4, 2010

Tuesday 10/5/10 - "REFLECTED MEMORIES" - A Magpie Tale



THIS MAGPIE TALE IS DEDICATED TO

MY ONE, TRUE, FOREVER LOVE -
MR. STEVERONI



A MAGPIE TALE

(Magpie Tales are hostessed by Willow. Click here to read more.)






"REFLECTED MEMORIES"



She had been sitting in this favorite room, what used to be called a parlor but was now referred to as a den, for hours. Though her body felt sluggish and dull her mind was crystal clear, sharp-pointed like the icicles hanging from the roof just outside the parlor window.

Here in old familiar surroundings she rocked herself back and forth, back and forth in the rocking chair her mother had rocked her in as a baby. Beside her on the table rested the old, cherished hurricane lamp that had been a treasured wedding gift of her mother's. As she rocked her thoughts traveled to other times. As her chair moved back and forth the light in the room played along the edges of the curving lamp's glass and reflections began to form. As the light continued to flicker within the curves of the glass they became pictures of memories.

She saw herself as a sixteen year old girl on her first date, a blind date with a handsome young man, her first forever love. They were at the destination of their hayride on the banks of the Potomac River. They sat upon gaily colored carousel horses at an amusement part overlooking the river. It was dark, there were brightly colored lights and they were reaching out from their horses to catch the brass ring.

The light in the lamp shifted and into her mind swam the picture of her second forever love going off to college never to return to her. As she pushed her rocker gently the images began to speed up in a kaleidoscope of her life.

Here she saw her Bermuda honeymoon with her first husband, there her children's births and then lovely scenes of family fun through the years. There were Disney World trips, a move from Washington, D.C. to Florida, a trip to the Florida Keys......the unfolding of her and her children's lives.

Onto the darkened areas of the glass came other images. She saw her own alcoholic collapse, snapshots of her 28 days in a treatment center, her divorce and hard fought landmarks in her recovery.

And now before her mind's eye came her one, true, forever love brought into her life by God after she had been in recovery some years. There were so many beautiful memories and they brought tears of joy and remembrance to her eyes. Scenes flashed by of her walking down the aisle on their wedding day as his eyes filled with joyful tears, their anniversary/birthday celebrations, trips to St. Augustine, Gatlinburg, and surrounding all these images a powerful spirit of love. And then.........

She closed her eyes to halt the sights right at these most precious, perfect moments, imprinting them deep within her heart. How grateful she was for the exquisite life God had given her. Wrapped in the warmth of these final visions behind her closed eyes, she fell asleep forever.

Prayer Girl

23 comments:

Brian Miller said...

awww...bet i can see steve's grin from the back deck...let me go check...smiles.

Marcia said...

Very nice, PG.

Reflections said...

Beautiful recollections of a life of love, family, trials and finally, the one true forever love.

Great write, I was there with you as you told each part of the journey.

Unknown said...

That one true love shows up always in the unexpected and you put the words together so well; thank you PG for your love and your sharing.
Love
Gabi

Rogue said...

It's always heartwarming to see someone who has managed to overcome such darkness in their life and stand, smiling in the sunlight of life. Thank you PG for this wonderful piece, and much happiness to you and all those who love you. You are an inspiration.

cheryl said...

Lovely PG, poignant yet full of love.

Michael A. Wells said...

Enjoyed the read. Very nice write.

Unknown said...

Quite a lot of guts and strength in that. Wonderfully written and so sincere. Blessings to you and all your love.
QMM

ana said...

Aw, totally not expecting that ending!

Superfluous Brunette said...

Lovely expression of memories. As we reflect back we are able to see clearer how all the pieces fit together...and that they do fit together. It was all for a reason, all part of the divine plan.

Life and love work in mysterious ways.

Syd said...

Such a nice remembrance of life's loves. And the culmination with the one who you share your life with now.

Dianne said...

Thank you, this was more than a lifetime of gratitude.

Marie Nicole said...

I like the notion of first forever love, second forever love... There is a saying in French: when you love once, you will love forever. Meaning your love can never die. And... aaahhhh, St-Augustine! Such a beautiful city! Nice story.

Angie Muresan said...

This is sweet and delightful.

rel said...

Beautiful way to recall the past and be appreciative of where you are today. Great description.
rel

steveroni said...

Brian: Poet always, first comment almost always! wrote above:

bet i can see steve's grin from the back deck
...let me go check

Steve grins a lot, laughs a lot, is JOYFUL a lot. But there are those moments...

PG, thank you for glowing and yes, beautiful remembrances. I remember them also.

A LOVELY Mag! You write VERY well!

Carrie Van Horn said...

Beautiful recolections...a lovely Magpie! :-)

Tess Kincaid said...

What a wonderful way to pass to the next world.

G-Man said...

Are you Dead?

marie said...

g-man, OMG! (although, I am ashamed to admit I had the same thought.) PG, this is so beautiful. I enjoyed reading it because my heart feels warm and fuzzy now. lovely, just lovely.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

WoooHoooo, I was married at Pigeon Forge near to Gatlinburg, a lovely place. This is a great story and well told.

Jess Mistress of Mischief said...

Awwww that's the sweetest.

Anonymous said...

Awesome, thoroughly great. The way you describe the refleciions of her long life is very realistic.