- Romance
- Auld Langsyne
- Page 3
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I was at peace. Finally. And perhaps for the first time in my life.
I heard the door slide open, then close behind me. I sipped the glass of Tawny port, heard my mother's feet crunch through the thing layer of packed snow on the deck before she appeared beside me.
"'It's the most wonderful time of the year . . .'" she sang. My mother would never lose her choir voice, I knew.
I smiled, dipping my head a moment before looking to the woman who had given me life. "Yes, it is."
"You're putting on a brave front, Danny," she said, touching my arm the way mothers did. The gesture was both motherly patronizing as well as maturely encouraging. "I know it's not easy for you right now."
My smile didn't fade. "Honestly, it's not as bad as I was afraid it would be. If it wasn't for you, and Dad, and . . . and everyone else here, I'd be sitting at home, drinking myself to oblivion. But I'm not. This really is the best Christmas I could hope for."
My mother's brow furrowed in confusion. "It is?"
I turned toward her, leaning against the snow-covered railing. "It is. Because I think I've figured out what happiness is."
My mother cocked her head, giving me a curious look. "Would you care to share?"
I chuckled. "Happiness is . . . ." I thought a moment, looking out across Mom's snow-covered back yard, the dark, cloudless sky overhead, the glittering stars above.
"Happiness is knowing love when it is there, and accepting love for what it is."
My mother patted my shoulder. "Dan . . . I think you've finally grown up."
I smiled.
***
Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoyed this tale inspired, in part, by Dan Fogelberg's timeless classic, "Same Old Lang Syne." If you are so inclined, please vote, and even leave a comment if you wish.
- COMMENTS
muscasover 2 years agoThe story was excellent and stirred a memory or fifteen - we all have these 'what if' memories of how things might have gone. And your dedication of the story to Dan Fogelburg really touched my heart. Take care mate, and keep writing.
Anonymousover 5 years agoI still dream of my first love, four decades, two marriages & four children later. I still walk past their old house occasionally & I can't help but dream as to what might have been.
My breath catches every time I smell a particular scent. My head turns at the sight of someone who could be them. I have searched the internet over & over with no luck. I took all my annual leave one year & spent it searching towns where I had been told by friends that D had been rumored to live.
I have lost count of the number of counseling sessions I've had trying to come to terms with what happened decades ago, with little success.. I still skip one track, every time I listen to one particular album as it's just too painful.
I would give up all that I have, everything, for a hug, a smile & the chance to run my fingers through their hair, once more before I die.
LynnMckover 11 years agoIt was on a Christmas evening after being seperated for 9 months and then divorced for a couple of years, that my best friend became my girl friend. That led to marriage which led to 35 years together raising two of mine and four of hers. Now she lies in the hospital bed that we brought into the house last week, stricken down by Alzhiemers. She is immobile, incontinent, and absent. My lady love has died and this body lays in her place. She is still able to mumble "love you" once in a long while, and it does warm my heart.
This may sound like a sad story, but it is not. I enjoy taking care of her, it feels right that I can show her the loving care that I feel for her. She is not embaressed when I change her diapers; she does not feel like she has been put in a warehouse to wait for death; she looks forward to visits from her kids and grandkids (when she remembers she has them); and is usually pleasant to be around. It feels more comfortable and loving than visiting her grave site will be, I am sure.
I am not in a hurry to "move on," and I share each day with her as it comes. And, like your story, I sometimes still remember the best times as if they were only last week. Life gives us whatever comes along but it is in our power to make each day as good as it can be. Mine are usually pretty darn good, and I can easily remember the warm loving lady who built so much of her life around me and ours.
Thanks for the good thoughts :)
