Carlene

Little sister Carlene slept soundly beside Anna. Her breathe was soft, erythematic. Grandma liked to sleep with the windows open. Sometimes that seemed a little scary but tonight with Grandma and Granddaddy talking softly in then next room, the night sounds were comforting. It had been a great day with aroma of Grandma’s cooking filling the air. Anna had spent the day playing with her cousins.
Now, snuggled comfortably in Grandma’s big feather bed, Anna watched the stars, thanked God for a perfect day and prayed for tomorrow to be just like today. It felt good to have her family all together, singing songs and playing games. Pulling the colorful homemade quilt up to her neck, she turned toward her sister and watched as Carlene’s little chest moved gently up and down.
Tiny whisks of syrup colored hair framed her sister’s little angle face. Anna smiled at thinking her sister was an angel. She remembered how earlier in the day Carlene persuaded their younger cousins that her way was the “right” way. Carlene had a little of Tom Sawyer in her. Grandma told Carlene to tidy up the play yard. Carlene had somehow convinced her cousin that the cleaning was a fun part of play. Anna watched as Carlene played Mommy, rocking her baby doll as Cousin Treat happily worked to clean their “house”.
Anna snuggled into her pillow drifting in and out of sleep. She was looking forward to the morning. Anna knew that when the sun peaked through her window and the night mist still covered the ground, Grandma would be in the kitchen making biscuits and cream gravy for breakfast for her “girls”. Grandma’s love was the best of all. This was Anna’s last thought as she closed her eyes to sleep.

July 17 Waltz

Almost thirteen years ago, my friend, Jackie, gave me some CD’s when my husband Larry died. The three of us were childhood friends, our ties run strong and deep. My friend has a poet’s soul and he gave me music to help heal my broken heart. Time seemed to stand still for me that first year and the music rocked me in its arms, caressing and soothing my heart, nurturing me with tender memories and promises of joy to come.

Everyday chores help to keep me grounded … cleaning floors, washing dishes … putting my house in order. I did those things then and that is what I did today. I found one of my old CD’s, opened my house and worked. I accomplished much and feel really good with my house in order. Somewhere during this timeless day ... the music recalled the steps of that first year …I began to waltz ... a slow, rhythmic dance of shared undying love … joy filled my heart and reminded that there is so much more to life than I can see .

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