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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GATHERING (07/14/16)
Namid looked down at her daughter, Cheyenne, sitting cross legged on the bed with the old family photo album laid open on her lap. She tenderly watched as Cheyenne traced a weathered worn picture with the index finger of her right hand.

“Oh, mom,” Cheyenne cried, “I wish you were here. I'm going to pick out my wedding dress today and I don't know how in the world I'm going to do it without you!” One lonely teardrop fell onto the page and Namid called out to the band of angels surrounding her in heaven.

They formed a circle around Namid and prayed in earnest for God to grant Cheyenne comfort and peace and let her know that her mom was with her always – in spirit. Then Namid turned her attention back to her daughter.

Cheyenne closed the album, tossed it aside and stood up. She glanced at the clock. She had only thirty minutes before she had to meet her friends at the bridal shop. So she jumped into the shower and quickly dressed in a old worn out pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt. Slipping her toes in flip-flops she hurried out the door.

When she arrived at the bridal shop the girls met her in the foyer. There stood Kate, her best friend and maid of honor, with two other friends, Marilyn and Tenile who were serving as Cheyenne's bridesmaids. They all wore mischievous grins while whispering and giggling about something until they spotted Cheyenne.

“Okay, what's up?” Cheyenne asked nonchalantly. “You guys look like you're planning a practical joke on somebody.”

“Not this time,” Kate smiled. “We just have a surprise for you.”

Cheyenne managed a slight smile but her heart just wasn't in it. So with dread, she followed the girls inside the store. They weaved their way through the maze of racks and racks loaded down with wedding attire until they reached the main dressing room. Upon entering the large room, Cheyenne stared at the full length mirrors hanging from ceiling to floor covering all four walls.

Kate walked over to a velvet padded bench sitting in one corner and reached underneath and pulled out a large package wrapped in white tissue paper topped with a large pink bow. She held it out to Cheyenne. “Open it,” Kate said.

“What's this?” asked Cheyenne as the girls gathered around her with anticipation.

“Just open it,” they exclaimed in unison. So Cheyenne tore into the package and slowly lifted the lid from the gift box. She gasped when she saw the beautiful gown lying among folds of tissue paper. Speechless, she pulled out the dress and hugged it to her bosom.

“Oh, my...how...how did you...I can't believe this!” Cheyenne said. “It looks just like the dress moms wearing in her wedding photo. I was just looking at it this morning! Where did you find this?”

“We didn't find it,” Kate said. “It IS your mom's wedding dress, Cheyenne.”

“But it can't be...Cheyenne stuttered. “There's no way. Mom's dress was destroyed in the tornado that killed her last year.”

“But your dad saved it,” Kate replied. “And when we told him why you'd been so sad lately, he told us about the gown and how he'd stored it up in the attic inside an old trunk. He took us up there and we found the dress underneath a lot of junk then took it over to Ms. Holidays to be repaired. So, just stop standing there gawking at us and try it on... please!”

Cheyenne laughed out loud then and quickly yanked off her jeans and tee. She lifted her arms and the girls slipped the wedding gown over her head. The high neckline, lace bodice, and long snug fitting sleeves, fit her perfectly while the gathered waist cascaded down into a full skirt overlaid with Victorian lace.

“It's beautiful,” Cheyenne whispered, staring at her reflection in the mirror. “And I can - I can feel mom's spirit right here with me. She's even smiling down at us and sending me her blessings!”

The girls united and clung together, lifting their voices in thanks and praise for the special wedding gift while Namid and the band of angels up in heaven did the same as they joined in on the celebration.
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This article has been read 645 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joy Bach 
07/23/16
This is a wonderful story.
Yvonne Blake 
07/27/16
Ahhhh...nice! I like to wonder if those in heaven see us, too. I know it's difficult in such a short story, but I suggest staying with one POV, instead of bouncing back and forth from one place to another. I like the happy ending.
Judy Sauer 
07/27/16
What a sweet and tender story. You pulled me into the story, and kept my interest through the end. Nice job.
Robyn Harbour
07/28/16
A lovely feel good story. I always feel encouraged thinking that our loved ones that have gone before are not lost to us, that we will all be together again one day.
Larry Whittington
07/28/16
I would say this had to have been written by a Mom who has a grown-up daughter.

Beautifully written.

Maybe from the Midwest where the tornadoes live.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/30/16
Congratulations on ranking 7th in your level. Happy Dance!