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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GATHERING (07/14/16)
Rebekah’s Journey
Our eldest daughter Bek approached me. ‘Mum, I have been thinking about my wedding. I would love to have my wedding bouquet made with flowers from our garden. Do you think you would have enough flowers in bloom for Easter?’

My mind went into a spin. The flowers in my garden just pop up, bloom, throw seed and the process starts all over again without much effort from me except for weeding and watering.

This particular year had been different, we were at the start of a ten year drought and it was the middle of a long hot summer. Our farm dams were low but my garden still looked magnificent, due mostly to my passion for using drought tolerant cottage plants, and the plentiful supply of bath and washing machine water.

Together we went through seed catalogues and chose flowers that would be in full bloom just before Easter. It meant timing our planting just right. The florist in the nearby town would come the day before the wedding to pick the flowers, she would wire the stems to stop any drooping. We could only hope that the roses would be having their autumn flush of blooms in time….

…. The florist arrived and started gathering flowers that she could use. She needed more variety than we had available so we quickly phoned some of our farming neighbors to see if we could source extra white flowers from their cottage gardens.

We were more than thrilled with the bouquets when they arrived the next day. It had been worth the extra planning and effort I had put into my garden.

As the bridal party walked down the aisle at St. Mary’s church in Maldon, I noticed how the colors stood out against the bride’s white gown and the bridesmaids pale icy green satin. Everyone commented on how unique the bouquets were and what a wonderful idea Bek had to use home grown flowers…

….Seventeen years later there was a different type of gathering. We flew to Tasmania to rescue Bek and her five children from a very violent marriage. The circle of violence had started just after her wedding day. We had been unaware of how difficult life was for her as her husband was always charming and well behaved when we visited.

We are currently waiting for the Family Court judge to approve a relocation order so she can come to Victoria and live near us for support. This process has now been going on for nearly twelve months.

Our focus now is to gather furniture and household items that can help her set up her new home. Our friends and church family have been very generous with their assistance. Each day is a day closer to a safe haven for her and her children.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Rice
07/25/16
Thanks for sharing this heart breaking story. The flowers added an interesting touch making the story personal. If the story is true, you have my deepest regrets that your child has endured such difficulty.
Toni Babcock 
07/27/16
Wow, this story really tears at the heart... I suspect it is true, and I pray all goes well from this day forward for you daughter and grandchildren. Frightening is it not, how some people can manifest such a split personality.
Judy Sauer 
07/27/16
Interesting story. Sad ending.

You wrote "at the start of a ten year drought" ... when a drought starts no one knows how long it will last. Perhaps you could have removed 'ten year' and get the point across.