Joan nodded. “May I pay for the dinner reception, then?”
“Absolutely not. Rick wants to cover that.” Then, as if she could read Joan’s mind, Sheila added, “Your love and support are the greatest gifts you could ever give me, Mom. I mean that.”
“Okay, dear. I just wish there was something I could contribute to this special event.” Joan remembered how much she’d done for Sheila’s first wedding, and what a blessing it was to help her daughter plan and prepare for the big day. Now she felt more like an invited guest than the mother of the bride.
“There is one thing you could do, Mom,” her daughter said.
“What’s that?”
“You could say the prayer before our reception dinner. That would mean so much to both Rick and to me.”
Joan could hear the unspoken words of her daughter’s request. This would have been something Phil would have been asked to do. “I’d be honored, Sheila,” she replied, fighting back emotions that threatened to invade their lovely lunch together.
After they’d eaten, Joan got up the nerve to ask, “What about my move to Shoreline Manor?”
“There’s no hurry, Mom,” she said with a reassuring smile. “In fact, Rick is fine having you stay on with us if you’d like.”
“Absolutely not, Sheila. You two need your privacy. And I’m itching to get into a place of my own,” she added, hoping she sounded convincing. “Let’s give them a call when we get home today.”
“Whatever you say,” her daughter replied.
Their shopping adventure was productive, and soon they were headed home with parcels of gifts in tow. After they unloaded the car and changed into some comfortable casual wear for the evening, Joan retrieved the brochure for Shoreline Manor from her bedroom.
“I’ll call them, Mom,” Sheila offered.
“Okay. Just set up an appointment for this week or next.”
A week later, Joan and Sheila were headed over for another tour of the senior apartment complex at Shoreline Manor.
As soon as they got out of the car, Joan’s stomach began to feel queasy and her heart fluttered. She’d never made a big move like this without Phil, and it seemed intimidating and a bit scary. What if she moved here and then wasn’t happy? How would it feel to be surrounded by old people all day every day? And what would it be like to be alone every night?
On the other hand, she knew she couldn’t stay at Sheila’s house. It just wouldn’t be fair to her daughter and new son-in-law. No matter how much they tried to reassure her she was welcome there, she knew she needed to move.
Dear God, please give me strength to do this, she prayed silently as they walked around the grounds in the shadow of the dark rainclouds overhead.
“Mom? Are you okay?” her daughter asked. “You seem kind of quiet.”
“I’m fine,” Joan said, forcing a smile.
“You know you don’t have to make any decisions right now. We can wait until after the holidays.”
Their tour guide cleared her throat. “I don’t mean to be pushy here, but there are several other people looking at the available units. I’d recommend deciding as soon as possible if you think you are interested.”
Joan nodded. “Yes. I think that is a good idea. Let’s just continue our tour. Hopefully we’ll finish before the rain.”
After walking around the entire complex and seeing the apartments, the dining hall, the recreation room, the vegetable garden, and a couple of the available apartments, Joan made her decision. She’d take one of the downstairs units facing the courtyard with its beautiful landscaping and fountains. The contract was drawn up to begin January fifteenth.
That night, Joan couldn’t sleep. She kept replaying the tour and her decision to sign a contract. On the way home, she’d found out that Sheila and Rick were planning a honeymoon in Southern California, hoping for a little sunshine in the midst of a wet Oregon winter.
“We could stop in Mariposa on our way south and arrange for movers to finish packing your household items and deliver everything to Shoreline Manor.”
“I’ve boxed up a lot of things that can be donated to the church thrift store,” Joan told her.
“Okay, we’ll take care of that, too. Rick needs to be back in town on the eighth, so we’ll be back just in time to meet the movers and help you get moved in the following week,” Sheila added reassuringly.
Christmas morning found a wave of melancholy washing over Joan as she arose from a restless night’s sleep. Each new holiday was a challenge in the battle to find joy without Phil. The last thing Joan wanted to do was to put a damper on everyone’s holiday. Please help me, Father. I need Your strength and grace today.
She thought about the box she’d found in the shed. Today she’d finally get to see what Phil had been working on those last few weeks of his life. She had mixed feelings about opening it. Something about having it there unopened gave the feeling Phil’s life wasn’t quite completely over. A part of him was in that box, awaiting discovery. She figured it was probably a couple of things for the kids.
She never would have imagined the treasures that her beloved husband had tucked into that package.
“Mom, are you almost ready?” Sheila asked through her bedroom door. “Michelle is expecting us for breakfast in twenty minutes, and you know how impatient the kids get on Christmas morning. I’d hate to keep them waiting.”
“Just give me a minute, honey,” Joan replied, silently chiding herself for taking so much time to get moving and get dressed.
A few minutes later, she tracked down Sheila in the front room, pulling gifts out from under the tree to put in the car. “Did you get the box?” Joan asked.
Sheila looked up at her from the floor. “Box?”
“The one your father put together before…” Her voice faltered.
“Oh. Yes, it’s already in the back. Rick loaded it in for me last night before he left.”
Joan nodded. She looked away to regain her composure. After a deep breath and another quick silent prayer, she asked if Sheila needed any help with the gifts.
“No. This is the last of them,” her daughter said, standing to her feet with a couple of brightly wrapped boxes in her arms and several gift bags dangling from her wrist. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Joan replied, trying to sound cheerful.
Sheila paused. “I know this is going to be hard for you, Mom. Without Dad, I mean.”
“Now don’t you go worrying about me.” Joan forced a smile as she reached out and squeezed her daughter’s arm. “I miss your father something fierce, but it’s a blessing to be here with you and Michelle and the kids.” She paused and then added, “Just think. Next year at this time, you will be celebrating Christmas as Rick’s wife.”
Nodding and smiling, Sheila said, “And we will want you right there with us.”
Michelle had created a lovely spread for their breakfast. Piping hot bacon and egg casserole, blueberry and bran muffins, and fresh fruit were set up in the center of the table. Caleb was nosing around under the tree, pulling out his presents and stacking them in one pile, as Madison helped her mother pour the juice and water.
“Caleb, come on in here and let’s eat,” Michelle called from the dining room as the rest of the family took their seats.
After a moment of silence, Steve stood up. “I’ll go get him.”
They could hear his voice as he said, “Come on, sport. The sooner we eat, the sooner we can get to the gifts.”
“Okay, Dad,” Caleb’s reluctant voice responded. They rounded the corner and sat down.
As was the family’s tradition, Steve opened his Bible to the passage in Luke about the birth of Christ. Everyone listened attentively as he read it aloud, pausing a couple of times to ask the kids questions like, “And what was the name of the angel?” or “What is impossible with God?”
Joan enjoyed seeing their responsive faces and Steve’s animated gestures as he read. These kids are getting a gift that is so much mo
re precious than those under the tree, she thought.
Finally, it was time to thank God for the meal. “Caleb, would you pray for us today?” Steve asked.
“Sure, Dad,” the little boy replied. “Dear Jesus, thank you for your birthday and for letting us get presents even though it’s really not our day. Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Madison and Uncle Tim and Grandma and Dr. Chambers and Great Grandma and Thumper. And for this food. Amen.”
“Amen,” everyone replied in unison.
As they started passing around the food, Joan couldn’t help but wonder if Caleb would remember his great grandfather when he grew up. She knew that he’d been sneaking looks around the table as he prayed because he named everyone in the order in which they were seated. It was natural that he wouldn’t include Phil in his prayer. But it did cause her to reflect on the very real possibility that he would eventually forget him completely.
She tried to remain upbeat and enjoy the wonderful meal Michelle had prepared. Much of the adult conversation revolved around Rick and Sheila’s wedding plans, and she could see Caleb’s impatience as people finished eating and continued to visit over coffee.
“Dad,” he said with a bit of a whine in his voice. “Is it almost time now?”
Steve reached over and ruffled his son’s hair. “Almost. Why don’t you go out back and give Thumper his present,” he suggested.
“Okay!” Caleb jumped up and ran back into the living room, then passed by them again with a large rawhide bone in his hand.
“Looks like your son decided to open Thumper’s present for him,” Michelle observed, winking at Steve.
They heard the back door slap against the jamb as Caleb took the bone outside.
Sheila pushed out her chair and started collecting dishes to carry to the kitchen. Almost immediately, Rick was on his feet assisting.
“You two don’t need to do that,” Michelle said, standing up and grabbing some dishes herself.
“Nonsense,” Sheila said. “We’re happy to help.”
Soon all the adults were carrying plates and serving dishes into the kitchen, as Madison helped with the glasses and cups.
“Thanks, everyone,” Michelle said, as she put the extra food away.
“Why don’t the rest of you go into the living room,” Sheila suggested. “Rick and I will rinse the dishes and put them into the dishwasher. We’ll be there in a flash.”
Joan watched glances exchange between her daughter and granddaughter. Sometimes those two look like they have telepathy, she thought.
Then Michelle turned and ushered everyone out of the kitchen, getting them settled around the tree. Presents filled the area surrounding it, and Joan noticed the box from Phil nestled in a back corner.
A moment later, Caleb came bounding into the room, plopping down on the floor beside his stash of gifts.
“Maddie, would you like to hand out the presents?” Michelle asked.
“Sure, Mom.” She stood to her feet and walked around the tree, carefully reading package labels and giving each person in the room a gift. “Where’s Grandma?” she asked.
“She and Dr. Chambers are in the kitchen. They’ll be here in a few minutes. You can just put their gifts over here,” Michelle said, gesturing to the two vacant seats next to Joan on the couch.
“Here’s one for Traci,” Madison said, holding up a package from Sheila.
“Just leave that under the tree,” Tim replied. “We can give it to her next week when she comes for the wedding.”
“Where is Traci?” Caleb asked.
“She’s with her family,” Tim said. “Remember, we told you at Thanksgiving that she wouldn’t be able to come back for Christmas? But she’s planning to come for your grandma’s wedding, so you’ll see her then.”
“Oh. Okay,” he replied. “Can we start opening our stuff?”
“Let me check on Grandma. I’ll be right back,” Michelle said. She disappeared for a minute and then returned with her mother and Rick. “Okay. All set!”
Soon ribbons and papers were strewn around the room as gift after gift were opened and shared.
Michelle opened the first of the gifts from Joan. As she carefully removed the wrapping and opened the box, Joan watched for her reaction. Parting the tissue, Michelle lifted the hand-knitted sweater from within. Lavender, charcoal and cream yarns made a beautiful design that created a buzz across the room.
“Did you make this, Grandma?” Michelle asked as she held up the sweater.
Joan nodded. “I did. And I thought of you with every stitch.”
Michelle eyes filled with tears. “I absolutely love it,” she said.
“Can I see it, Mom?” Maddie asked.
Handing it to her, Michelle said, “Pass it around for everyone to see.”
The next gift from Joan went to Sheila. It was a tiny box wrapped in gold foil paper. “Mom?” Sheila asked.
“It’s something my mother gave me before my wedding, honey. She’d worn it in hers, and I wore it in mine,” Joan explained.
Sheila looked surprised and very curious as she unwrapped the small package. Flipping open the lid, she said in a whisper, “It’s beautiful, Mom.” She lifted out of the box a delicate gold chain with a tiny gold cross.
“I almost gave it to you before you married John, but before I could do that, you’d already selected a pearl necklace for your wedding,” Joan explained.
“It wouldn’t have meant the same thing to me then that it does now, Mom. I’m glad you saved it.” She turned to Rick and held it up for him to see. “I’ll wear it for our wedding.”
He smiled and nodded. “Good choice.”
Next, Maddie opened Joan’s gift for her. “What is this?” she asked as she lifted an album out of the shiny red gift bag.
“It’s a scrapbook I made during high school. I thought it might be fun for you to see what my life was like during that time since you are going to be there soon.”
All eyes were on Madison as she began paging through the fabric-covered book. “This is really cool. Thanks, Grandma Joan. I love it.”
“Let me see,” Michelle said when her daughter was finished turning the pages. Caleb walked over and stood by her, looking over her shoulder as they viewed the scrapbook together.
“What are those?” he asked, pointing to slips of papers with names on them.
“Those are my dance cards,” Joan replied with a smile. “When we had school dances, the boys would ask if they could be on our dance card. That meant we were promising them a dance.”
Caleb nodded, still looking a little confused. “Oh,” he replied, evoking some laughs from others in the room.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing, sport,” Steve said, pulling his son onto his lap. “It’s just girl stuff.”
“Did you bring me something?” the boy asked Joan.
“I sure did,” she replied. “It’s something that used to belong to your great grandfather when he was a boy.” She gestured to a box with red and green plaid paper. “Would you hand that to Caleb, please?” she asked Rick.
Caleb immediately tore into the paper and threw the lid off the box. “Cool! A baseball bat made of wood.”
“Your Great Grandpa Phil was quite a baseball player in his time,” Joan said. “He could hit the ball out of the park, and everyone in the high school stands would cheer when he came up to bat.”
“Really, Mom? I don’t remember him talking much about playing baseball,” Sheila replied.
“He probably didn’t think you’d be interested, honey. But you must remember him playing some Saturdays with the men from church.”
“Oh yeah. Now that you mention it, I do remember sitting in the bleachers watching them sometimes,” she replied.
Joan smiled and nodded. Then she turned to Tim. “I wasn’t sure what to give you, young man. But I thought this might bring back some memories.” She bent over to reach for a small package tucked under the tree.
“I’ll get it, Grandma
Joan,” Madison said, reaching down and retrieving it. “Here, Uncle Tim.”
Tim opened the box and lifted out a well-worn knife.
“Do you remember learning how to whittle with your grandfather?”
He grinned, his expression reminding her of the little boy who used to sit beside Phil on the porch steps as they carved toys and figures together. “I sure do, Grandma.”
“Can I see it?” Caleb piped up.
“Sure, bud. Just be careful.” Tim handed him the knife, showing him how to hold it safely.
Once Caleb was finished examining Tim’s gift, he asked, “Would you teach me how to widdle?”
“That’s whittle,” Tim replied. “And yes, I’d be happy to teach you. If it’s okay with your mom and dad, that is.”
“Can he, Dad?” Caleb asked earnestly.
“Sure. He can teach both of us,” Steve replied with a nod.
“Well we’d better get on to the rest of these gifts if we want to finish today,” Michelle said. “Maddie, why don’t you give each person a package to open together?”
Immediately, Madison began distributing the packages. One round of gifts after another were opened, shared, and appreciated around the room, as wrapping paper, ribbons, and gift bags piled up all over the floor.
Finally, Michelle stood and gathered up the mess, cramming the torn paper and discarded ribbons into plastic trash bags.
“Are we all finished?” Madison asked, glancing down at her cell phone.
“Not quite,” Rick replied. He and Sheila stood up. “We’ll be right back,” he said.
They disappeared into the kitchen again, and returned with a box that had holes in the side. He placed it beside Joan on the couch and the box began to move.
“What on earth?” Joan said, looking up into their eyes.
“Go ahead and open it, Mom,” Sheila replied with a smile.
As she lifted the lid, a tiny white kitten with blue eyes peered up at her. Joan’s heart caught in her throat as she gazed at the puff of fur, which had now begun to meow in a squeaky little voice. Instantly the kids were hovering over the box.
From the Heart (Sandy Cove Series Book 5) Page 9
