Autumn Dreams
Page 36
“Dan after his daddy and Tobi because we met in October,” Cass said, smothering a yawn.
“At least we’ll always be able to tell them apart,” Dan said as he studied Danny’s little hands. He held his hand beside his son’s. The miniature perfection of the baby amazed him. “Look at these fingernails. Did you ever see anything like them?” He looked at Tobi. “And did you ever see a more beautiful little one? She’s gorgeous, just like her mother.”
Cass shook her head at him. “You’re besotted with them. It’s very obvious that I’m going to have to be the firm one in the family, or these children will become wild little monkeys.” She reached out and cupped Dan’s jaw, her hazel eyes full of love. “I have to talk with your mother and find out her secrets of child raising because I want Danny to grow up just like his wonderful daddy.”
Dan felt love welling in him like he’d never known, and he thought he couldn’t love Cass more. As he tried to find words to articulate how he felt, Cass smothered another yawn. Dan leaned in and kissed her.
“Let me put the babies on their warming table, and then you can sleep.” He put Danny down and took Tobi from Cass. By the time he came back to the bed, his wife was sound asleep. He gently moved her to one side of the bed, slipped off his shoes, and climbed in beside her. He adjusted the sheet and blanket over them both and settled into sleep too.
This business of waiting on the Lord was the best.
Dear Readers,
Dementia. Alzheimer’s. These words strike fear into our hearts. Every time we forget a word or cannot recall someone’s name, we are sure it’s the first step to not knowing our own name. We pray, “Lord, while I’d like to keep the old body working as long as possible with as few complications and as little pain as possible, I beg You to protect my mind.”
Unfortunately, my mother-in-law developed advanced Alzheimer’s. Many of the situations that happened to Charlotte Merton happened to Mom Roper in her last years, even Charlotte’s running over of herself. Our prize memory of that time is our son’s song, “Grandmom Got Run Over by a Chrysler,” sung for Mom at her eightieth birthday party three weeks after her accident.
I’d love to hear from you. I know some of you have stories like ours, some sad, some so ridiculous all you can do is laugh. Ah, thank God for laughter! Or maybe you have nothing to say to me but hello. Hey, some days hello sounds wonderful! Write me at gayle@gayleroper.com or visit me at www.gayleroper.com.
The publisher and author would love to hear your comments about this book. Please contact us at: www.multnomah.net/seasideseasons
Discussion Questions
1. Cass has been single for forty years. What do you admire about her as a single woman? Read 1 Corinthians 7:32–35. What are the advantages to being single?
2. When Cass finds herself falling in love with Dan and she fears it will come to nothing, she reminds herself that Jesus is enough. Her mother answers that she is both right and wrong. How do you react to that idea? Read Deuteronomy 6:5; Acts 4:12; John 13:34; Romans 15:7; Galatians 5:13.
3. Cass’s family has fallen into the habit of taking her for granted, of expecting her to be there for everyone. What examples of this do we see in the story? In real life have you seen a family take one of the members for granted? How does Cass begin to reclaim her life? Read Philippians 2:3–4. How do these verses speak to this issue?
4. Why is Jenn so angry? Is she justified? Ephesians 6:4 says “do not exasperate your children.” How do parents, or in Cass’s case, a parental substitute, maintain standards for the children and still fulfill this verse?
5. Brenna is a prodigal. Did she have a valid reason for leaving home? What about her leaving is cruel? Read Luke 15:11–17. What causes the prodigal to finally return home? What causes Brenna to do the same? What does this truth mean to those who are the parents and loved ones of prodigals?
6. After the pain a prodigal puts a family through, what should be the response when one returns? Read Luke 15:18–32. What two responses do we see in this story?
7. The ultrasuccessful Dan has come to Seaside looking for significance in his life. What do you think are the things that truly count, especially in the eyes of God? Read Matthew 22:37–40. According to Jesus, what are the significant things in life?
8. Tuck is also looking for significance. Where has he made his mistakes? How does he compound them? Read Ephesians 4:31–32. What would Tuck say about these verses? What should we say?
9. Charlotte Merton is slipping further and further into dementia. How can God let a fine and intelligent woman like her suffer from a disease that robs her of her greatest assets? Read Philippians 3:10. Paul, the author, wants to know three things. Where does Charlotte’s illness fit into this verse? How does your heart fit into this verse?
10. What are your thoughts about Lew and his sweepstakes? Read Philippians 4:19. What is the promise to Lew? But what about Christians who don’t have enough to eat? A place to sleep? Who suffer for Christ like many believers do in other parts of the world today? Read Romans 8:28. What is God’s purpose for us? Hint: read Romans 8:29.
YEARNING FOR SUNSHINE, ABBY FINDS DANGER, LOVE, AND LAUGHTER IN THE SUMMER SHADOWS
Summer Shadows by Gayle Roper Seaside Seasons, Book Two
“A highly entertaining tale with just the right touch of mystery. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Seaside.”
—DEBORAH RANEY, author of Beneath a Southern Sky
The accident that killed Abby Patterson’s husband and daughter has left her with a limp and chronic pain. Abby strikes out, determined to build a new life for herself. She finds the perfect home: a cottage on the beach. At least, it would be perfect except for one tiny irritant: Marsh Winslow, her landlord. But when Abby witnesses a hit-and-run accident and the trauma leaves her with amnesia, she finds an unexpected source of help: Marsh! When mysterious events make it clear that Abby is now a target, she and Marsh join forces to uncover a dangerous secret. Together they discover that God is in the business of putting broken lives back together so that they are more beautiful—and more perfect—than ever.
ISBN 1-57673-969-4
TEARS ARE FALLING LIKE SPRING RAIN …
Spring Rain by Gayle Roper Seaside Seasons, Book One
“Gayle Roper is in top form with Spring Rain. Her storytelling skills make this one a page-turning experience readers will love.”
—JAMES SCOTT BELL, author of Blind Justice and Final Witness
Leigh Spenser, a young teacher and single mother of ten-year-old Billy, is thrown into conflict. Clay Wharton, the boy’s estranged father, comes home to Seaside, New Jersey, to await the passing of his twin brother, Ted—now dying of AIDS. Threats against Billy’s life ratchet the tension tighter, as Leigh wrestles with both tough and tender feelings for her old flame. Clay’s own conflict, as he seeks to come to grips with his brother’s lifestyle choices and the needs of the boy he fathered, underline the issue of God’s forgiveness in the hearts—and lives—of this modern-day family. An emotionally gripping read!
ISBN 1-57673-638-5
AVAILABLE JUNE 2004 FROM GAYLE ROPER!
Winter Winds by Gayle Roper Seaside Seasons, Book Four
“[Autumn Dreams] will tickle the funny bone, play a concerto on the nerves, and charm the heart.”
—Romantic Times
After his guardian’s severe illness, pastor Paul Trevelyan returns to his congregation in Seaside with a big surprise—a wife he’s been estranged from for seven years. It was the ailing old man’s wish that Dori and Trev return to each other, and they agree, as long as they can sleep in separate bedrooms. The dangers of a sinister luggage mix-up are compounded by discord within the church, as a highly opinionated elder proves he will stop at nothing to see Trev gone. This blizzard of difficulties leaves just a snowball’s chance of a thaw between the stubborn spouses …
ISBN 1-59052-279-6
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