The sun was fading behind the distant trees as Anna walked in her flower garden. She had hoped someone would come by to sit a spell.   Goodness, how fast life had passed.  It would soon be 20 years since Tom had died.  Anna had not felt she could go on, but time helped her to realize she had been left  on the earth for a reason.   Anna had found  her reasons for living in  all the times she had sat with Gail, her youngest granddaughter, working through “girl” problems, giving her advice on life and love .   The twosome had spent many hours together.  Gail seemed to have a fascination with her grandmother, even taking notes during many of their visits

The pretty white haired lady entering the house, closing  the door behind her.  She reached for the lamp switch next to her favorite chair.   She picked up the current book she was reading and found her place.  Books had become her best friends. But as she read tonight, her mind drifted back to a time when she was young. 

Tom had asked her to marry him at a very young age.  But they both were sincere and hopelessly in love.  She remembered the night he asked for her hand in marriage. “Anna, you know you’re the girl for me.  I will never marry if you say no.”

Anna’s heart was pounding as she looked into Tom’s eyes.  Within the month they were married.  And what a marriage it was. There was never a dull moment. Tom’s love for life and Anna was what any girl longed for. 

Anna smiled as she remembered the night they stayed too long at a neighbor’s house.  They had  walked there with every intention of staying only a few minutes.  Suddenly  it started to rain and Tom pulled Anna out the door.  “Good night friends, we must be going.”  They hurried along, with clothing beginning to fit like skin.  Suddenly Tom stopped in his tracks and grabbed Anna, pulling her close,  “I can’t believe I have not told you how much I love you today.”

“But you have  told me! Tom, let me go!  Run. It’s raining!  We’re getting wet!”

Tom’s hold became stronger.  “But I have to tell you how much I love you.  How do I love thee, let me count the ways.”

“You’re crazy, let me go.  You can tell me at home.” Anna squirmed to free herself.  With that they ran until the lights of home were in sight.  Tom picked Anna up and carried her the rest of the way, to the edge of the porch.  Anna smiled as the memory flooded her mind.  Why had that one come back out of the lifetime of love.

Anna opened her book again, trying to concentrate. But the rerun of life continued.  There had been hard times in the couple’s life. They had lost their first child, a son.  The world turned bleak for Tom during those months and Anna wondered if he would ever be the man full of life that he once was.  But she continued to pray that God would watch over him in a way that she couldn’t and that He would put the gift of joy back in Tom’s  heart and life.  

Late one afternoon, the clouds had gathered and the sky looked heavy.  Anna   wondered where Tom was.  He had walked out into the apple grove they had planted.  She hoped he would return soon before the storm came.  She could see the drops beginning to fall on the window pane.  It was late summer and the flowers near her window would surely enjoy the drink of water.

The silence was broken by a knock at the door. Anna turned in that direction, and saw  Tom standing there. As  she opened the door, he took her by her arm and pulled her outside.  “Let’s walk in the rain,” he urged.  She didn’t mind.  The afternoon was hot, the wetness would feel good.  As they walked Tom talked.  Slowly he emptied his heart and soul of all the anger and hurt he had felt over the last several months since the loss of their child.  As he talked he began to heal.  Anna could see a  miracle taking placed right before her eyes.  That afternoon the sun began to shine again in their lives.

Early the next morning, after Tom left for work, Anna found a note on her dressing table.

“My love, I know the last months have not been easy for you.  Please forgive me for my selfishness and the  pain I have caused you.   Love, Tom”

Not so long after that rainy day walk, they were blessed with  a daughter and later two sons.

As Anna sat musing about times gone by,  she picked up paper and a pen and began to write.

WILL YOU LISTEN?

I have stories to tell, will you listen?

I have memories galore to share.

It’s  stories I cherish so dearly.

About life, love and burdens we bear.

A life lived is quite an experience

Each has their story to tell.

                                               Please won’t somebody listen?

Then go and I’ll wish you well.

 
 There was so much Anna wanted to say about life and how important everyday decisions are. She hoped that she had instilled in all her grandchildren the importance of  finding their  purpose in life. Maybe before long she could tell them again.  Maybe they would come by and listen.  She sat for a while in the dim light looking at the words she had written.  She had become tired. “I will finish it tomorrow,” she whispered as  she laid her head back and closed her eyes. 

Suddenly she felt Tom’s hand.  His smile was beckoning. She had missed his gentle ways.   She felt a rush of warmth in her heart, she felt joy.  Did she dare go with him? 

A hour or so  later Gail found the last words her grandmother had written. She had come to tell Anna about Dan, the wonderful man she had met, just like Anna said she would someday.  

Gail brushed back the tears as she spoke  “I’m not sure she knew  how much she influenced my life all these years.” As she was lead away, the thought went through her mind of the loss when an elderly  person dies.  They have so many stories to tell, so much guidance to give if only people will stop to listen.

She tucked the poem in her purse, determining in her heart  that Anna’s guidance would help her lead  her children and grandchildren in life’s struggles. She knew, too,  there was someone else that needed to tell their stories and she determined that day  to make herself available to listen.

Anna had fulfilled her purpose.  She had sparked a fire of love and compassion in her granddaughter that would flow for generations to come.