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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Rest (01/17/13)
Someday I’ll sleep with my wife again.

The two of us, in the same bed, at the same time.

But it won’t happen tonight. I roll over on my cot and look at the clock; Two in the morning. Groaning I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes. Four hours of sleep. I’m going to need a cup of coffee.

The aroma of a fresh brew beckons me to the kitchen. A faint light over the sink illuminates the full coffee pot. Carlie must have anticipated my need. Wonderful woman. I pour myself a cup.

I quietly walk into my mother-in-law’s parlor, turned sickroom, where Carlie sits holding her father’s hand. The faithful daughter. A well of love springs up for this woman that I married. In the months of his lingering illness, she has not spoken one word of complaint. I wish I could say the same about myself.

Carlie sees me in the doorway and gives me a small smile. I see the weariness in her eyes though she tries to hide it. She pats her father’s hand and rises from her chair. She kisses him on the forehead before coming to the door.

I wrap my arms around my wife and hold her. “His sleep is disturbed tonight,” she speaks into my sweatshirt. “Mama noticed it too when she came in a while ago. I think he’s troubled about something, Preston.”

I look over her head at the man in the bed. His body is wasting away. He hardly resembles the robust farmer I remember. He stirs and groans. The cancer is so far spreading that the medication can’t keep up with his pain.

“Go get some rest.” I rub her back. “I’ll sit with him.” She nods but stays in my embrace for a moment longer.

Finally, Carlie pulls away walks toward the spare bedroom. At least the cot will be warm for her.

I take my place in the bedside chair, just as I have been every night for the last three months. The man stirs, and his eyelids flutter, but do not open.

“Hey, Pops.” I say, reaching out for his hand. “It’s me, Preston.” There is no response, not that I expected one. He hasn’t opened his eyes for two days now. “I’m going to sit with you for a while.” I say, feeling a little foolish for my continued monologue. Carlie assured me that speaking to her father was important, so I do it despite my self-consciousness.

“How about I read to you for a while?” I reach for my Bible and page to the place I left off yesterday, Matthew 11. I read of the rejection of John the Baptist and of Christ, and then the wonderful invitation that Christ gives.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy lade, and I will give you rest.”

My father-in-law begins to toss his head and mumble. I take hold of his hand and talk in a soothing tone, as I’ve seen Carlie do so many times.

“I’m here, Pops.” I stroke his hand. “I wish you could tell me what is troubling you. God knows, Pops. He understands even when we don’t.” The man continues to toss his head. I try to think of what he might be worried about. I put myself in his place and immediately I know. “You’re worried about Mom? You don’t have to be. Carlie and I will look after her. You have my word.” The troubled expression lessens a fraction.

“Rest easy, Pops.” I reassure him. “I promise to take care of her.”

His body stills and the plains of his face relax. I pat his hand and am surprised when he squeezes back slightly.

“I love you, Pops.” I say, picking up my Bible again.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I look over at my father-in-law. He looks so peaceful now. His face is no longer etched with pain, his breathing no longer labored. I put my ear next to his mouth. There is no sound, no movement of air. Tears pool in my eyes.

“I won’t forget.” I say to his empty shell. “I promise.”
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This article has been read 1751 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/24/13
Wow this is awesome! It took me back to when my mom was dying. I had whispered I'll take care of Dad for you. I heard a gasp behind me and saw the realization on his face. My words confirmed what he didn't want to accept. Your story will touch many hearts. It's beautiful.
Loren T. Lowery
01/24/13
A tableau of life, death. The assured promises/words of the players that gives us rest. All of it beautifully told.
Virgil Youngblood 
01/25/13
Tenderly and compassionately written. Well done.
C D Swanson 
01/25/13
This touched my heart. I think almost everyone who reads this can relate on some level to this tender and well written entry. I thought of my best friend who died four years ago, and she told me, "please look after my daughter, she's going to miss me so much..." I have kept my promise to this day.

Beautiful job.

God bless~
Bonnie Bowden 
01/26/13
That story brought tears to my eyes. So many of my friends are taking care of or took care of a parent before they died. It was terrific that Preston and Carlie were with the father before he died. It sounds like this a family with no regrets.
Allison Egley 
01/27/13
Oh, this is so sweet. Nice job with this.
lynn gipson 
01/27/13
Oh my, tears are welling and my heart is swelling. What a wonderful testament to Jesus in this touching, heart rending story. I see a winner here. God Bless
Myrna Noyes
01/27/13
This is a very touching story, which many people can probably relate to in some degree, because we've sat with a dying relative or we have ourselves worried about what will happen to our loved ones when we're gone. Very well written.
Dannie Hawley 
01/28/13
Excellent description of characters and scene in this piece. Easy to picture both inside and out. As a reader, I can put myself in the skin of each of your characters. Profoundly touching.
Carolyn Ancell
01/28/13
Anyone who has cared for a dying family member or friend will recognize the authenticity of this piece, and it's gentle caring imagery and truths. Thank you.
Myrna Noyes
01/31/13
Hearty congratulations on your E.C. win for this wonderful piece! :)
Alicia Renkema
01/31/13
Oh how I loved this precious, compassionate piece. The story is a nice gentle surprise because the way that you start it out, it looks as if the couple is fighting, when just the opposite is true. They are drawing even closer together! I love your line about the wife speaking into her husband's sweatshirt as she is grieving. I really liked how in the beginning of the story the cot was cold as the MC was sleeping in it alone. Then later, you bring it back into the story as a way of the MC showing his love for his wife. Both the conversation and the inner dialogue in this story (very well balanced and placed) drew me so much into the mother in law's parlor, as if I were there, looking on. At the end of this story, I felt the MC's loss of a dearly loved family member; the peace that the father in law was finally at rest, and the joy of knowing a special promise would be kept.
Bea Edwards 
01/31/13
Lovely story and poignant reminder of God's provision. Pops only needed to hear that precious promise provided by God through his son in law before finding rest.
C D Swanson 
01/31/13
Congrats! God Bless~
Beth LaBuff 
02/04/13
Beautiful and uplifting! I love your story. Super congrats on your Editor's Choice award!