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Mary-Beths Garden

Posted by jclane on 10/4/2008 1:05:46 PM  - Print This  - Email This

Chapter 1



Mary-Beth gingerly allows her toes to touch the soft purple rug that encircled her four-poster bed. Charlie bought her this bed. It was her bridal bed, over fifty years ago. No one since Charlie; has ever shared this night time sanctuary.

It's 7am; awaken by the sound of "Some enchanting Evening" Mary-Beth stretches, gently moves her arthritic limbs, and makes the sign of the cross, over her feeble body. This sacred gesture seemed only fitting since the Lord chose to allow her to remain on earth for one more day. "I mustn't be late;" she thought to herself. "Breakfast will be served promptly at eight; and those who dilly-dally miss the hot coffee and ginger toast."

Usually before breakfast, she'd take a few moments to iron her calico dress, de-wrinkle her white jacket; and strategically layout her stocking, hat and accessories. Mary-Beth decided to do all of that last night before retiring. Sometimes a thirty minute task requires at least forty-five minutes, to complete. At least that's what she quickly discovered.

The large dinning room, at the "The Cosy Retirement Home," could easily seat 20 at a time; however one wouldn't see more that 10 or 15 on any given morning. When Mary-Beth first arrived she was given a small table for two over-looking the exquisite south garden. My dear husband Charlie will be joining me shortly; she told the kitchen hostess. That was nearly five years ago.

When Mabel Troop came to "The Cosy", three months later, she was allowed to temporarily join Mary-Beth. "You may sit here but you'll have to move when Charlie comes;" she said, ever so politely. As time passed they became good friends. Good food, good company became the norm. The two ladies shared pleasant memories, precious dreams and everlasting hopes. Both having lost their life-long companions, they were left with the knowledge that within a very short time they would be reunited.

Most days Mary-Beth and Mabel spent hours in the south garden, amongst the aromatic roses and the bright marigolds. The roses were Mabel's favourites and Mary-Beth preferred the bright yellow marigolds. Plants and flowers weren't the only things to be found in this utopian paradise. Ivory marble benches were strategically placed along a white pebbled walkway. A huge fountain in the center of the garden provided cool water to the visiting winged creatures and the gurgling sound gave a sense of calm throughout the garden. This area definitely was Mary-Beth's and Mabel's favourite spot in the whole wide world. A two person stand alone white wicker swing provided the ladies with a comfortable setting for their hours of uninterrupted story telling. The red, white and pink climbing flowers added aroma and color. Life was great, but without a mate, the nights got very lonely. However that would soon change.

Lately the ladies experienced strange but similar dreams. Although dreamed separately, both dreams were remarkably alike. It wasn't until this particular morning that they shared the contents of their dreams.

Chapter 2



Mabel's husband, George served in the Navy during World War II. They married shortly before he left and she had to wait four agonizing years for him to return. Letters were short coming and months were spent not knowing where he was and even if he was alive. Fortunately for her, when he did return home, he never left her side again; that's until his death. Not having any family or children Mabel moved to "The Cosy Retirement Home" when physically she was unable to fend for herself. George, her husband, provided well for her, giving her all the necessities of life including their yearly vacation. Upon his death, there was a sizable life insurance settlement plus his modest pension which provided for her comfort here at "The Cosy." Life was pleasant but she still missed her George.

Mary-Beth's husband, on the other hand, was reported as MIA; (missing in action) and it wasn't until 1945 that she was told that he had been captured by the Japanese. Charlie spent several months recovering in a dingy hospital in the south Pacific. They had to wait until he recovered; before they could become man and wife. Charlie did fully recover physically however he had many emotional scares. It took a very long time before they faded into just unpleasant memories. It was because of his faith in God and the love of Mary-Beth that he managed to even survive.

Charlie's remaining years were happy ones. He too provided well for his family. Like Mabel and George, Mary-Beth and Charlie were never blessed with children or surviving relatives. Charlie had a brother John but unlike Charlie became a casualty of war and he never made it back.

Despite all that they had many good years together. Charlie found work as a construction engineer, something he learned in the Army. With his job they had the opportunity to travel throughout the world, England, France and Germany. He did however refuse to travel to the South Pacific. That he figured would trigger too many painful memories.

Chapter 3




On this particular morning Mary-Beth and Mabel awoke at 7 am sharp; got dressed in their favourite dresses; which they laid out the night before. They had breakfast in their usual spot and without saying a word they went out into the garden, to wait for their husbands to come and take them home.

Mary-Beth chose the magnificent white wicker swing. Its long thin sliders on both sides of the swing allowed it to slide back and forth with very little effort. She so loved that swing. It was similar to the one on which Charlie proposed to her while he was convalescing at the Military hospital. It now had a double meaning for her. While here at "The Cosy" she shared so many of her intimate memories with her new found friend. Suddenly the heavens opened and a stream of brilliant golden white light shone down on Mary-Beth and the white wicker swing. A heavenly choir of Angels began to sing "Amazing Grace." This startled her at first because she hadn't heard it since Charlie's funeral. It was at his request that the song was sung and because it brought back painful memories of that awful day she refused to ever hear it again. Charlie was an excellent poet. When she was at her saddest she would read through his collection and it always brought her peace. The day he died she decided to try and write him a poem that he could take with him.

Without anyone knowing or seeing it she gently slipped it into his coffin while she took her final look at his earthly vessel. It read;

My life was full of happiness,
When you were by my side.
But I will let you go on ahead of me,
Please forgive me if I cried.

I know you're in a better place
And I'll be with you soon.
Please come and get me when it's time,
I love you Charlie Moon.


Mary-Beth closed her eyes; not because the golden white light blinded her but because she needed to focus on Charlie's face in her minds eye. Gentle tears filled her eyes as she remembered the first day they met. She opened her eyes when she felt a gentle gesture as if someone was wiping away her tears. There on the swing beside her was Charlie Moon, her beloved husband. In one hand he held a tissue and in the other her poem. "I've come for you my dearest love," he whispered. "I have come to take you home."

Mabel chose the pink ivory bench. She knew that George would undoubtedly walk up the white pebbled walkway as he did fifty-two years ago.

Mabel's now feeble body ached from the many years of bad knees and arthritic hips. All she got for her efforts were uncomfortable side effects and upset stomachs from the harsh pain pills she was prescribed by her friendly accommodating physicians.

All of these miseries suddenly vanished as her body touched the warm ivory bench. Pleasant memories flash before her eyes; recollections of softer gentler times. Visits to exquisite rose gardens, boats rides at midnight; a soft shoulder to cry on and comfort her, when the need arose. The last time that she and George went sailing together always remained at the front of her mind. The feel of the warn summer breezes. The smell of caught fish in the air and the squawk of the sea gulls looking for a free meal.

There in the distance something caught her eye. Surrounded by a bright yellow glow, a figure came walking towards her carrying a bouquet of bright red roses. She knew this figure she had seen him once before many, many years ago.

Mabel rubbed her tired eyes. Once, twice, three times. When she finally opened them, there before her on bended knees was her beloved George. In his left hand he held the most exquisite bouquet of red roses she had ever seen. With his right hand outstretched he said very softly, "may I have the rest of eternity with you, my love." Without saying a word Mabel rose from her seat, places her left hand in his and nodded affirmatively. As they walked off together she felt no pain, no stiffness, just love.
 

Comments


Nice look into a generation who did love and commitment with more flare than most of my generation. Thoughts of relationships continuing into eternity which you evoke, is motivation to cultivate some love on Earth today.
10/23/2008 11:08:14 AM - anonymous


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