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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: TRAVEL (07/08/21)
The framed photo sitting on the bookshelf in the basement was a familiar one to Peggy Ann. Her aunt Elizabeth was standing in front of a round cement marker with the word “EQUATOR” spelled out in large letters; her head was cocked to one side, and she had a large grin on her face, huge sunglasses covering her eyes, hair pulled back in a ponytail, and right leg bent and resting on the knee of her traveling companion. This picture was just one of several around her aunt’s house that showed Elizabeth posed in front of global landmarks and which silently testified to her adventurous spirit as a younger woman. But Peggy Ann had always liked this equator photo the best, even more so now that she herself had recently returned from her first trip to Africa. While traversing the country of Uganda, Peggy Ann had the opportunity to have a snapshot taken with a marker nearly identical to the one her aunt had stood in front of nearly five decades earlier.

Elizabeth, who had no children of her own, had always encouraged her nieces and nephews to travel, not just in word but through example. There were the numerous photos displayed in frames and scrapbooks, the postcards mailed back home, the exotic souvenirs adorning every room of her house — not to mention the wonderful stories! In addition, all the nieces and nephews had been treated to a personal trip with their aunt as teenagers, helping to hatch the hereditary travel bug inside each. Throughout the years, she was a welcome companion on several other treks. The last big family adventure Aunt Elizabeth had arranged was a visit to the small town in Ireland where her father had grown up before immigrating to the United States. Connecting with one’s history — what an extra special gift that trip had been!

Peggy Ann closed her eyes and smiled at the memories. A small tear escaped the corner of one eye as she reluctantly returned to the present. Aunt Elizabeth would be making no more trips now. The phone call had come from her cousin Graham two weeks ago. Their aunt had been in declining health for some years and had recently been admitted to the hospital for some tests. After a few uncertain days, it seemed Aunt Elizabeth was on the mend and would return home soon, but that all changed overnight when she took a turn for the worse. Just like that, she was gone.

A silver ring encircled the middle finger of Peggy Ann’s right hand. She twisted it gently with the thumb and forefinger of her left hand, recollecting the birthday when her aunt had given it to her. The main part of the ring was designed like a compass. She could still visualize her aunt’s beautiful handwriting on the card that had accompanied the box: “Dear Peggy Ann, Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! This ring seemed perfect for several reasons. First, I hope you will have the chance to travel to all the places your heart desires. But even more importantly, may the compass points remind you that you have a constant Companion wherever you are on life’s journey and that His love knows no boundaries of width or length or height or depth (Ephesians 3:16-19)! Love you much, Aunt Elizabeth.”

The memory of these words brought Peggy Ann some comfort in her grief, and she whispered a short prayer of gratitude for her aunt’s influence in her life in so many ways. Like Elizabeth, Peggy Ann was not married and did not have children; however, she, too, hoped to encourage her own nieces to travel and see the world as much as they could. But most importantly, she hoped they would know that the Lord was always by their side. She looked forward to the day when she would gift the compass ring to one of them along with words of inspiration similar to her Aunt Elizabeth’s.

Then Peggy Ann picked up the equator photo, wiped the dust from the frame, and gently placed it in one of the cardboard boxes she and her cousins were packing to store the most important of their aunt’s belongings temporarily. After the memorial service celebrating Elizabeth’s final journey, the pictures and artifacts would be divided among the cousins as tangible reminders of their aunt’s legacy.
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This article has been read 582 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laura Manley
07/17/21
This was a beautiful story. I love your descriptive writing. You inspire me! Good job!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/19/21
This is a sweet story. I can feel the MC's passion and grief.
Laura Manley
07/22/21
CONGRATULATIONS on taking first place. I absolutely LOVED your entry and your first place status is well deserved!
Bea Edwards 
07/24/21
I thoroughly enjoyed your entry.

Poignant with a punch!
Jude Harris 
10/01/21
touching and heart rendering.
Evelyn Sprouse Rowe
11/25/21
Enjoyed your story so Much! The influence an aunt can have on nieces and nephews is surely shown here. I hope as an aunt, with no children of her own, my nephew will see me as a good influence too!