Out in the country on a narrow, winding Virginia dirt road, there was a little cottage nestled quaintly under the shadows of a majestic grove of tall, stately bur oak trees. Inside the humble dwelling lived an elderly lady named Katherine Whitfield that everyone called “Aunt Kate.” She was not really anyone’s aunt because she never had any brothers or sisters, but it was just a loving nickname that had been given to her throughout the years by all those who knew her. Though the house was small, it was plenty large enough for her needs. There was a large fireplace in the kitchen that was used for heat in the wintertime and a small bedroom where she slept. The parlor and a second bedroom were closed off because they were more difficult to keep warm and firewood was always considered a precious commodity, especially for an older person like her who lived alone. A large weathered barn could be seen from the back porch where her husband used to hang their tobacco and keep their mules. There was an old outhouse off to the side and a small worn path could be seen through the weeds. She married her husband John when she was only 16-years-old and he was a devoted husband and a hard worker. Katherine and John had a son named Jacob but sadly, he died of a fever when he was only 7 years old. A couple years after this terrible tragedy, John and Katherine heard about a young child that had been orphaned and with kindness and compassion they volunteered to take him in and help raise him. His name was Calvin and he was such a good boy. They loved him as their own and when he became of age, he told them both that he appreciated all they had done, but now he needed to see the wonders of the world. He packed his belongings and John gave him what little bit of money they had saved. With kisses, hugs and tears he walked down the road and soon he was gone. Every now and then they would receive a letter about his adventures and they always said a prayer for him every night.
John passed away a few years ago and since that time Katherine has kept herself busy, reaching out to those who are more needy than herself. She would bake pies and cook meals for those who were suffering with illness or struggling financially and she also loved to make beautiful quilts and give them away as gifts. Katherine had a green thumb and always grew a large garden in the summer. She was very generous to give to anyone who needed a share of her bounty. It was said that she could just cut plants and stick them into the ground and they would grow. She harvested and canned as much food as she could in the growing season and concentrated on her sewing in the evenings when the weather turned cold. Lately, just as Father Time creeps up on all of us, she had been having some health problems of her own and was growing weaker and not getting around like she used to. Sometimes the realities of aging become a harsh truth and now, with little money for medicines and practical necessities, there were serious decisions that needed to be made. Katherine was known to be a positive thinker, but the old house was in need of repair, she could use some tools and cooking utensils, her fences were in need of some work…the list went on and on. She was proud of her independence and had managed well for many years, but the opinion around the community was that she should probably sell everything and move to a nursing home or, as it was called in those days, the “poor house.” As winter was rapidly approaching, the whispers grew more concerned and it was suggested that maybe someone should speak with her and make arrangements for her to leave before the ice and the heavy snow arrived.
Ida and her husband, James, were close friends who lived down the road and Ida had been stopping by on Saturdays to check on her for years. Katherine looked forward to her visits and would always serve some cake or some type of delicious treat. They would drink coffee and talk about the old times and the latest news about what was happening in the county. She shared her feelings about her declining health and mentioned that she was sad because she could no longer help others and now felt more like a burden to everyone than an asset. Ida asked if she had some specific ideas for her future and Katherine replied that she had been talking to the Lord about it and was trusting that He had the perfect plan. As they stepped out on the porch and exchanged their goodbyes, she looked up at the gray, overcast sky and listened as the brisk November wind whistled through the branches of the mighty oaks. It was if they were also moaning and groaning in their old age. Ida walked across the yard and as she looked back to wave, she could see the anxiety and heaviness on Katherine’s face. As Ida walked along the quiet road, she thought about how growing old is a sad reality we all will face and that time does not slow down for anyone.
It was getting dark and Katherine put a medium-sized log on the fire. With a restless heart, she sat in her rocking chair and silently meditated. Staring into the flames, she listened to the familiar sound of the old chair squeaking as she gently rocked back and forth. How easy it is to become intoxicated with denial and convince our minds that everything is going work out. It’s much more comfortable to live in a fantasy where everything continues on forever than to embrace the reality that all things must come to an end. The heat from the fire was making her drowsy, but she just could not escape the haunting scenes of walking away from her home. She went into her bedroom, sat on the side of her bed, and spoke very softly: “Dear God, look how helpless I have become.” Pulling up the covers, she looked out into the dark room and thought how our lives are much like the four seasons of nature. She traveled back to her spring when she was a little girl and how she would jump and run through the green meadows, and then on to the summer when she was married and life was filled with boundless energy and happiness. Then the fall of her life came with all its beauty and she was so busy, she hardly noticed how quickly the years had passed by. Now here she was in the winter of her life, trying to prevent her imagination from holding her captive within a prison of fear and sadness. Finding comfort in her conversations with God, she softly spoke about her trust and love for Him: “Lord, if it is your will and alright with you, please allow me to stay in my home and die surrounded with the things that I love. I am weak and have no power to make this happen, but I know that you can do all things and there is nothing impossible with you. I give my life to you completely. I love you.” And with a few more whispers and sighs, she peacefully drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, she awoke and, like clockwork, went to the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee. She looked at the calendar hanging on the wall and noticed that it was the day before Thanksgiving. Katherine always marked off the days and just a few weeks ago, she had circled her birthday. Then she turned back the pages and found comfort in seeing that her wedding anniversary had been circled in the first week of June. She kissed her finger and placed it on June 4th and said, “I will always love you, John.” It is said that celebrating anniversaries and birthdays is intended to make people happy, but sometimes they also include the shadows of sadness and heartache that remind us of what we have lost and where we are heading. On one hand, we want to rejoice with others as we commemorate the cycles of these milestones, but rarely do we consider that our congratulations and celebrations not only remind us of a past that cannot be lived again, but also one that cannot lighten the worries of an uncertain future. When we are young, life is fun, without any worries about aging. But when we are in our 80s, we seem to be focused on whether we will ever have another birthday. Of course as Christians, we are to rejoice that others have moved on from this world and are celebrating in the next life. And if we are walking with God, we should also be looking forward to living with God forever in the glories of Heaven. However, all of this still does not take away the sense of dreading death. Why? Simply because we want to live. When we have enjoyed a good long life, it’s only natural to not want to leave. There is no condemnation for those who have worry and anxiety about dying. Yes, we are to have spiritual faith, but we also live in a natural mortal shell filled with basic human emotions.
Staring out the foggy window, the heaviness of sorrow surround Katherine like a coarse wool blanket. Across the dirt road, she gazed at the dry brown meadows and the silhouettes of dead trees against a background of frosted, rolling hills. There had been times of troubles before as life had always had its share of problems, but she had always at least attempted to generate a moderate amount of hope and faith. But today, where was her sense of encouragement and her confident declaration that everything was going to be all right? It was like peace and confidence had run away to hide and now she was left alone to face these unwelcome intruders of doubt and fear. She walked over to the table, sat down, and turned the pages of her old Bible to the 23rd Psalm. She read it slowly and when she approached the line, “And even though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death,” she paused and asked God to please allow her to sense His presence and to once again feel the security of abiding under the shadow of His wings. Katherine left the Bible open, rose from the chair, and began to straighten the kitchen. After taking out the trash and cleaning the sink, she stoked the fireplace and noticed she was running low on firewood. There were a few small chunks of coal in the bucket on the hearth and out beside the house, there were only bits and pieces where at one time there had been a huge pile. Back in the old days, John had always made sure that coal was delivered in the summer so they would have plenty on hand when the cold winds started to blow. In the last couple of months, she had been fortunate to have thoughtful friends bring her a fair amount of firewood and bundles of small branches for kindling in case her fire went out. She hated to admit it, but she was now somewhat dependent on the kindness of others for her survival. Ida was also helping her with shopping and would pick up her supplies when she went to town for her own needs. Kate was actually dreading the possibility of being invited to someone’s Thanksgiving feast because for some reason, it just felt embarrassing and awkward. Life was changing and she did not like these feelings of anxiety but come to think of it, so far, no one had asked.
There was a neighbor who lived on the farm next to hers by the name of Tom Lawson, who had a reputation around the county as a lover of money and as somewhat of a shrewd businessman. It was no secret that he was waiting for Katherine to pass away or move to the poor house so he could gain possession of her small farm and connect it with his own. Every now and then he would stop by, not because he was trying to help or that he cared about her well-being, but rather to make an offer to purchase her property. He had criticized her for being too generous to others in the past and said she wasted money that could have been used for her own needs. Oh, if she could only die in her own house and not suffer the pain of homelessness and dependence. Of course, he presented an insulting low offer that was well below the market value and proved once again what a shady and unfair person he was. He even offered to advance her some money as a down payment just so that he could secure the deal and make sure that no one else could have a chance to give her a better offer. Every summer, she would sell a certain amount of timber that grew on the back of her land and she would use that money to help buy her basic supplies throughout the year. The magnificent elm and walnut trees were very valuable for making furniture, which is another reason why Mr. Lawson wanted the property. The last two summers, she had rejected his bid for the trees because it was too low. Fortunately, other loggers from around the area had been much fairer with their bids and Katherine had gladly accepted their contracts. She had told Lawson that she would think about his proposal for the farm and he promised that he would return before winter for her answer, but she had not seen him since. She had talked about it with James and Ida, and James had said more than once that even though the offer was low, it was probably a wise decision to go ahead and make the deal. By depositing the money in the bank, she could pay the health care facility each month to make sure she had everything she needed and thus she would be taken care of. She found herself pacing the floor more than she ever could remember and knew that Mr. Lawson would be visiting her any day and that a decision would need to be made soon.
She put another branch in the fireplace and sat in her favorite rocker. She spoke out loud and said that there were many people whom she loved and she prayed that they would have a wonderful Thanksgiving. She thought about how no one had invited her to dinner and then realized that she did not have a turkey or the food to fix her own meal. She told herself she was glad that everyone was being distracted with their own families and that she would be embarrassed for others to have pity on her. Moving a little closer to the warmth, she laid her head back drowsily in the old rocking chair and closed her eyes. After resting for a while, Kate stood up and went to the window. It was just at sunset and as she looked out across the withered fields, the clouds opened like a glorious lantern. There were bright streams from the sun that seemed as if one could climb them all the way to Heaven. As the sunlight illuminated a frozen hillside far away, she felt a warm sensation of hope that chased away the gloomy shadows of her heart. As she continued being mesmerized by the sun’s beautiful display, suddenly she could see a horse-drawn wagon coming up over the hill, but she could not make out who was driving. She squinted her eyes hard and after a few moments of waiting until it came closer, yes, she was sure it was Calvin. She put on her sweater and ran out onto the porch, waving her scarf. He grabbed his hat and started waving back to her. Calvin had told everyone that Katherine was the only mother he could remember and when he became a man and was determined to find his destiny, he declared that he would not return until he made his fortune. He promised he would one day come back and take care of her and she would never have any more worries. It had been about 10 years since he left and even though he was not much on writing, he would send a letter every now and then to let her know that he was all right. She knew there had been some difficult times and had always thought that if Calvin ever became sick or in financial need, he would always be welcome to come back home.
Anxiously, Katherine waited until the wagon pulled into the front yard and Calvin jumped down and ran into her arms. Their embrace lingered as they both exclaimed how much they had missed one another. She was going on about how much she had been worried about him and how much he had changed. With growing a full beard and putting on a few pounds since the last time she had seen him, he seemed vibrant and fit. Calvin motioned for them to go into the house and come out of the cold wind. She took him by the hand, led him to the kitchen table, and said she would make a pot of fresh coffee to help warm him from the cold. As the water was heating, she said she wanted to hear all about his adventures and what had caused him to visit at this time of year. Like a young child on Christmas morning, he looked at her intently and exclaimed, “Mother, do you remember that I said I was going out into the world and would not return until I made my fortune?” She said, “Of course I remember! After you left, everyone was convinced that you had what it took to be successful and no one doubted that you would accomplish great things. But I did not care about all of that. I’m just thrilled and grateful to God that you are healthy and that I’m alive to see you again!” They went on with more small talk as he knelt down close to the fire and rubbed his hands together. They laughed as they reminisced, and she served some oatmeal cookies as they drank their coffee. Finally there was a break in the conversation and after a short pause, Calvin looked at her and boldly spoke up, saying he had something very important to tell her. “Mother, I’ll be honest. The first few years were rough and I know I should have written more, but I did not want to upset you. However…this last year has been amazing and I’ve been so excited to surprise you! I’ve tried to keep this a secret because there are so many bad people in this world but Mother, I have come into a great sum of wealth. Even through the hard times I was able to save enough money to buy a small gold mine in California and with blessings from above, I have finally hit the mother lode! I hired some trusted men to run the mine for me and it is now producing far beyond my highest expectations. From now on, you will never have to worry about a thing!”
Katherine’s eyes were lit up with pure joy and excitement! She thought about how God had been listening to her prayers and now there was no doubt He had sent a miracle that was beyond words. This was not a dream – this was really real! Calvin gave her a moment to absorb this good news and proceeded to give more details about his plans. “My wagon is loaded with provisions and food and I’ve paid and arranged for the delivery of several wagons of firewood and a huge load of coal to be brought out tomorrow. I’m also in negotiations with a man who works in construction to come out and start repairs on the house, the barn, and the fences. And on top of all this, there is a very nice lady who lives in town that is going to come every Friday to help you clean and make a list of anything you need. She will deliver your request each week and help with whatever you need.” With a sheepish grin Calvin asked, “So what do you think about that?” She was overwhelmed. She kept saying through her tears that she was speechless and hardly knew what to say. Calvin finally spoke up, “I’m going out to unload the wagon and tomorrow we will have one of the grandest Thanksgiving meals that anyone could imagine. I brought a nice turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie! But for tonight, we are having beef steak with biscuits and gravy, fried potatoes, and I bought a chocolate cake. I’m starving!” After a moment, he was bringing in all types of boxes, kegs, and bags filled with everything she would need throughout the winter. He started filling the shelves in her pantry and was actually trying to find room to store all the provisions, “Mother, if you can start the biscuits, I will put the steaks in one pan on low heat and start peeling some potatoes.” The house was once again filled with the aroma of good food and a joyful atmosphere of happiness and hope.
They sat down to supper together, just as they used to do when he was younger, and held hands as Katherine said grace. She praised the Lord for His goodness and thanked Him for watching over Calvin and bringing him home safely. It was just like old times and they were having such a wonderful time. They ate a delicious meal and told stories that neither of them had told each other before. He had written a few letters but did not reveal a lot of details as he had not wanted her to worry. As she shared with him about some of her struggles, he was afraid he would cry when he found out how bad things had been. She had always been so kind and still had a sparkle in her eyes, but she could not hide her age lines and the frailty of her skin. He watched her take a sip of her coffee and set it down with a thin, trembling hand. Then she looked at him with a warm tenderness that he remembered so well. She gazed around the room and started to speak, but hesitated as tears began to flood her eyes. Her voice quivered and she spoke softly about how she had asked the Lord for a miracle, if it was His will. “I wanted to be able to stay here until I was ready to leave this earth. I wanted so much to be able to die in my own home and not be a burden to anyone. Now I will not have to worry about anything and this is no doubt one of the greatest miracles I have ever received. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I do not believe my heart has ever been so filled with gratitude toward the Lord for who He is and His great love for me. Because of the Lord, everything is going to be alright.” For a moment, there was a hush that fell over the room. They could hear the wind blowing outside and then she began to softly sing an old hymn: “Be not dismayed whatever betide, God will take care of you. Beneath His wings of love abide; God will take care of you. God will take care of you, through every day, over all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.” The peace of God’s presence filled the room as the glow from the oil lamp cast a warm radiance on her face. Calvin reached out and took Katherine’s hand as they enjoyed the beauty of this solemn moment and the comforting crackle of a warm fire.
Realistic Fiction
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God loves us every waking second of our lives. Even if we hurt Him through our sins. Touching story . . . and the title is so true. God watches our every move. We are flowers in His garden, that need His tender care and grace(water) and love(sun) in order to survive beyond the grave.
” Pulling up the covers, she looked out into the dark room and thought how our lives are much like the four seasons of nature………..she hardly noticed how quickly the years had passed by. Now here she was in the winter of her life, trying to prevent her imagination from holding her captive within a prison of fear and sadness. Finding comfort in her conversations with God, she softly spoke about her trust and love for Him:”………………….very well said in simple words but great in meaning, author has captivated reader with his masterly treatment of narration and abundant imagery all through. The finer layers of her mind are described like caravan of pictures moving in front of reader layer by layer….. one couldn’t miss………. I liked the apt title drawing references to Bible. ………kranand