The table had been set with care, all that was needed was its all important guest. The flowers danced around in the breeze waiting in anticipation . The time once again had come. Let the celebration begin!
The red carpet had been rolled out. A grander carpet you could not find. It was perfect! The flowers were so many, counting them would be like trying to count the stars in the sky.
Time was passing, where was she? After all these years she was never late! She never missed the date. The teapot was full and the chairs stood erect, they were waiting.
“Hurry please my dear! I must not be late!” “Are you sure that I look fine?”
The granddaughter smiled. ” Oh Grandma you look divine, I love the way your eyes shine!”
She smiled at her granddaughter’s words, not only did her eyes shine, but her heart as well, for true love it did hold.
The clock chimed, it was time. She made her way to the door, leaving a misty eyed but smiling granddaughter behind. Her granddaughter understood even if some others never would.
This was a special day. For 55 years this day had held a lot of meaning. How could she just forget? Her husband’s birthday was today, a day to celebrate. All the joy he had brought her through his years could not be put into words. Every year they had a special date out in this glorious field of red. Every year she got out her special china, setting the table just right. They would dine for awhile and then he would stand up with a smile, and put out his hand asking if she would care to dance in the glorious field of red. No music was needed, the song was in their hearts. No words were needed as they let their eyes speak. She felt pure bliss as she swayed with her head on his shoulder.
Her husband had been gone for 10 years now but why should the celebration of this special day end? The years may have passed, but his memory still was strong. She would continue celebrating him, and on this day she would remember him in this special way. For as long as she could she would recreate one of the wonderful memories that his birthday held. She poured herself a cup of tea and felt his love speak to her in the gentle breeze.
His love flowed all around her and she raised her cup of tea in a toast to his memory.
She gently put the cup down, got up from the table, and faced his chair where she curtsied. She felt his left hand hold her right hand, and his right hand gently on her back. She placed her left hand on his shoulder and, as the music started, she waltzed once again through the glorious field of red. When the music ended, he bowed to her, and she curtsied in response. She gave him a radiant smile that only he ever saw. “Same time next year?” she asked. “Same time next year!” he replied. She turned and made her way back to her table… and her cup of tea.
The last paragraph is thanks to Colin! He wrote it in the comments. I was touched by it and thought it fit perfectly, so I had to add it! 🙂
Awwwww. nostalgic Joy 😊😊.
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The picture just made me feel that way. 🙂
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Dare I suggest an addition to the ending:
She gently put the cup down, got up from the table, and faced his chair where she curtsied. She felt his left hand hold her right hand, and his right hand gently on her back. She placed her left hand on his shoulder and, as the music started, she waltzed once again through the glorious field of red. When the music ended, he bowed to her, and she curtsied in response. She gave him a radiant smile that only he ever saw. “Same time next year?” she asked. “Same time next year!” he replied. She turned and made her way back to her table… and her cup of tea.
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OH Wow! Perfect!!
Thank you Colin! You worked your magic again. 🙂
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🙂
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I added your beautiful ending to my story, so that others could see. 🙂
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Well thank you. When your original story ended, I just saw her get up and waltz her way through the field of red flowers. Perhaps a poppy field? 🙂
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You are welcome, I am glad that my story moved you to think of her dancing. “Same time next year”, loved that phrase! Glad that you felt free to share your thoughts. 🙂
Oh and yes a poppy field sounds good to me!
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What a lovely romantic story. If you hadn’t told me that the last para was written by someone else I would not have guessed – seemed seamless to me.
Enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you for your sweet words! Glad you enjoyed it!
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It seems that your collaboration with Colin added that extra touch of romance and whimsy to this enchanting love story. Immortal love, don’t we all dream of it? Beautiful picture that enables one to envisage their interlude so clearly. Thank-you for this magical tale!
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Like the icing on the cake. 🙂 Colin never fails to surprise me at the things he comes up with. This one was a good surprise! 🙂
Thank you for your kind words!
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Beautiful story JR. The timelessness of love. I love the picture too. What awonderful place to dine and dance.
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Thank you Mandi!
The picture does look like a wonderful place to visit doesn’t it. 🙂
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That image is perfect for your story! LOVE it.
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Thank you! 🙂
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so sweet…. Do you find the picture first and then write the story? Or write the story and then search for a photo? Just wondering 🙂 Lovely job!
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Thanks Jodi! I find the picture first. I just had the idea one day to see if pictures would help give me an idea. It worked and has been fun! 🙂
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I thought so – great way to get inspired to write!!! 🙂
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Yes! The painting just jumps out at me! 🙂
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Gorgeous story . . . perfect for that picture.
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Thank you so much!
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We all dream to have such a relationship. Nice. 🙂
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Thank you! Glad you liked it!
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A beautifully romantic tale, with perfect illustrations. There is a harmony with your and Colin’s writing. Thank you.
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Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, Colin is a great writing partner. 🙂
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This is so beautiful!
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Thank you for reading. Glad that you enjoyed it!!
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Pingback: My Picks Of The Week 2017 – #31 | A Momma's View
I loved this bittersweet story! ❤
It made me smile in the start only to make me feel dismal in the middle and hopeful by the end. This story made my heart swell and wane- all at the same time. Beautiful work! 🙂
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Thanks so much for describing how you felt when reading this story.
Glad that it touched you!
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Ah! Pleasure is all mine. 🙂
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Pingback: Once Upon a Snowy Night | Nuggets of Gold
thank you for sharing this and the last bit by Colin makes it so precious indeed. I never thought about celebrating the things we did in the past with such passion and vigour, this has given me a new inspiration for life. I love the way you tell the story, just like laying out a beautiful tea time rendezvous.
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So glad that this story inspired you! Warms my heart and yes Colin’s ending was the icing on the cake! 🙂
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Pingback: *Press it* The Glorious Field of Red #23 | Its good to be crazy Sometimes
What a lovely, lovely write! Thanks for telling me about it. I love how it ends…
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So glad that you liked it. Seeing your poem about Poppies just brought it back to my mind. Poppies was the favorite flower of a dear friend of mine.
Yes, the ending was Colin’s magical touch. 🙂
Here is a link to Part 2, hadn’t planned on a Part 2, but one day … Enjoy. 🙂
https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/once-upon-a-snowy-night/
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