painting done by Dmitry Spiros (from Pinterest)
Leonardo the gondolier, was finishing up his day. There were no more passengers for today. He was lost in his thoughts as he rowed along, taking his time. He loved this city and his job, he couldn’t imagine doing anything different. His Dad had been a gondolier as was his Grandfather. It was a tradition that Lance was honored to uphold. He could still remember the excitement he had when his Dad presented him with his first gondola.
He thought about all the people who had taken rides in his gondola over the years. The young starry eyed lovers with dreams of adventure in their hearts and the sweet, older couples with so many stories hidden in heir eyes. He loved hearing what the dreams were of the young lovers, and hearing the precious memories of days gone by from the older couples. He heard their dreams too, for one is never too old to dream.
There were certain stories that stood out to him and certain couples that he just seemed to never forget. Ones that left a mark on his heart. There was one couple specifically that had come to his mind just now. A couple from quite a few years ago.
The lady’s name was Isabelle. She was talking with her husband about their dancing days and as he clasped her hand, you could see the adoration in his eyes.
Leonardo was used to hearing words of love spoken from couples but with this couple he could really feel the deep sincerity in their words. They weren’t just caught up in the romanticism of being in a gondola in the floating city of Venice. He could see the true love that glowed around them as they sat in silence with their hands clasped together and Isabelle resting her head on her dear one’s shoulder.
Oh yes, what a lovely couple they were and he couldn’t forget the tender moment that he had seen pass between them.
They had stepped onto the gondola and he had welcomed them as they sat down. Then the husband had reached into a bag he had and pulled out some beautiful red flowers to give to Isabelle.
Isabelle had gasped in surprise and Leonardo remembers her being so pleased and wondering how her husband had found poppies for her! He remembered the husband’s secretive smile as he told her that it was a secret and that he was so very happy to have been able to find them for his beautiful one.
Leonardo had turned away to give them some privacy and to start rowing. He rowed with a smile on his face and a feeling that he had just witnessed a very special moment. That this was more than only a husband surprising his wife with flowers. He felt that the poppies held a special story within them. He was sure about it when he briefly turned his head to sneak a glance their way and he saw Isabelle’s husband wiping some tears from her eyes.
Sweet story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mandi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice write. Gondoliers (and other taxi drivers) are privy to all sorts of special moments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Yes, I am sure they are. I have always loved Venice since we went 4 years ago and yes we took a gondola ride. 🙂
LikeLike
oh how sweet! and how well-written to leave us hanging and wondering and dreaming at the end. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you dear! 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
Nice story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, glad you liked it!
If you are interested in the significance of the red poppies , here are 2 other links, telling Isabelle’s story, with the help of a friend and fellow blogger for the endings.
https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2017/07/29/the-glorious-field-of-red/
https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/once-upon-a-snowy-night/
LikeLike
Thanks so much! I’ll check it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome! 🙂
LikeLike
And now I am feeling curious about the special significance of the red poppies 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wondered if anyone would ask that. 🙂 The significance was told about in 2 long ago posts. 🙂 I don’t know if you had read them or not, but here are the links. Hope you enjoy them!
https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2017/07/29/the-glorious-field-of-red/
https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/once-upon-a-snowy-night/
LikeLike
Such lovely stories these are! You have a knack of continuing a story thread.
For some reason I was unable to comment on these two stories so I am telling you here that I loved them. Also, you and Colin have a wonderful collaboration.
LikeLike