A Memorable Weekend | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: A Memorable Weekend | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
07/03/09
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

The elderly couple sat on their front porch, side-by-side, rocking quietly. Dusk was setting in.
Crickets could be heard chirping their song. A few fireflies could be seen, their lights flickering through
the night air. As the couple rocked, they reminisced.

Their three children, a son and two daughters, had been home for the weekend. It was
amazing how six extra adults and four lively children, under the age of eight, could turn a once-quiet-
home into one filled with excitement and laughter. Mrs. Ashton smiled at the thought.

With their children living in three different states, it wasn’t often they were all home at the
same time. This trip was special. They had come home to celebrate their parents fiftieth
wedding anniversary. In fact, their coming was a complete surprise to the Ashton’s. Fifty years!
Where had those years gone?

Mr. Ashton took his wife’s hand then laid it in his lap. She turned and looked at him, a knowing
smile on her face. “You miss them too, don’t you,” remarked Mrs. Ashton.

With a reflective look, Mr. Ashton answered. “You know, Meg. I remember when our own
children were the ages of these grandchildren. That little Jami, she looks just like Molly did when she
was four. Why, she even has that same funny little laugh Molly always had. I can’t believe our
children now have children of their own. We’ve raised good kids, and we’ve had a good life. You’re still
my number-one-all-time-favorite girl, don’t you ever forget that,” Mr. Ashton said with a smile as he
looked tenderly into the eyes of his wife.

“Yes, we have had a good life. A few bumps and bruises along the way, but nothing we
couldn’t handle together,” stated Mrs. Ashton.

Mr. Ashton agreed. “Those years of raising our children were wonderful. Remember all
the baseball games we attended, and the gymnastic meets we had to sit through? How many
practices did we take the kids to? The many hours we spent cheering for them, encouraging them,
laughing with them, rejoicing in their victories.”

Tears began to appear in the corner of Mrs. Ashton’s eyes as she remembered those early years
of their marriage.

“Did you notice how Peter held his bat,” Mrs. Ashton remarked, thoughtfully. “Legs apart, just
so. Elbows held high. I could almost see our Doug standing there. Remember when Doug was eight.
He was pitching for Community East. It was their championship game. Bottom of the sixth. Two outs.
Man on second and third. East was winning 5-4. Doug stood on the mound, ball in hand. He eyed the
batter, took his wind-up and threw. The batter hit the ball back to Doug, who caught it. Third
out. Community East won! Little Peter reminds me of Doug. I wish they lived closer so we could
cheer him on, just as we did his dad.”

Mr. Ashton chuckled. “Little four-year old Lila can turn a cart-wheel just like her mom. Maybe
she will be a gold medal winner too.”

“Do you know what?” Mrs. Ashton asked. “The past fifty years have been wonderful. I loved
raising our children. Enjoyed their activities, even sitting through all those baseball games and
gymnastic meets. I loved being the wife of a very busy doctor. But what I am looking forward to more
than anything is spending these twilight years of our marriage enjoying the gift God has given me. You,
my dear, are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I love you more today than the day we
married.”

A single tear slipped down his weathered cheek. This wife of his, this beautiful creature sitting
beside him, was the joy of his heart. And, if these twilight years were even half as wonderful as the
early years of their marriage, they were in for one great ride together!

The sun was now set. A sprinkle of stars appeared high in the night sky. The elderly
couple continue to sit and rock, holding hands. “I love this time of evening,” Mrs. Ashton said softly.
“It is so quiet, so beautiful, and amazingly peaceful. Just like my life with you has been.”

“Mr. Ashton?” Meg asked. “Will you marry me?”

Mr. Ashton chuckled. “It would be my delight, my dear, if you will promise me at least fifty
years.”

He tenderly leaned over to kiss his beautiful bride. The stars blinked their approval. The
fireflies sparkled their delight. The crickets seemed to sing, “I will forever love you.”

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.