Contemplation

She danced carelessly amongst the wild flowers in the field. She glided to and fro having the sun as her spotlight. All her worries blew away with the wind and new air refreshed her beyond measure. She knew no matter what that the strength within her never would run out, but rage in its desire to be exposed. Emma was six then and as naïve as any other gal her age. But now that she is eighteen, life is looking very different.

          October 1^st, 1864.  “Good day, Miss Emma! How are you?”  

“I am doing very well, thank you, Mrs. Winston,” said Emma.

“Wonderful!” Mrs. Winston said with a comforting smile.

“Yes, how are you and your family doing. I recently heard of your youngest daughter’s engagement…” joyfully stated Emma.

Mrs. Winston lit up with mere delight and then replied, “The family and I are doing well, thank you. And Amy, as you can imagine, is overflowing with love and bliss enough to make a mother’s heart burst with the fragrance of this new season in her life!”

“Oh yes, I can believe it! When my sister, Rachel, got married Momma had the same graceful spark in her.”

“Ah, yes, I do remember...” she said then concluded, “Well, Child, I must go. Tell your mother hello for me!”

“Gladly! Goodbye!” said Emma.

Emma always enjoyed talking to Mrs. Winston, she was such an inspiration. Later that night, Emma sat in her room and began to write:

Oh LORD, marvelous LORD of grace!

Wrap my heart in patience

That I may only seek your face.

Offer rest for my weary soul,

That in the mourn I will not haste;

But graciously reach my goal.

 

          October 2^nd, 1864.  “Wake up, my dear!” said Emma’s mother. Emma was not, as you would say, a morning person. Yet, even so, today she had a shock of energy and excitement around her thoughts. She arose from off her bed with a stretch of confidence and fixed her hair in the mirror with a smile of joy, then dressed herself with a child-like delight. After doing so, she swiftly galloped downstairs for breakfast with such pure pleasure.

“Good morning, Father!”

“Good morning, my beautiful Rose. How are you this morning?”

“I am doing fine! No, more than fine! I am doing most wonderful, thank you!”

Her father chucked with enjoyment, “Very well then. I have something I would like to discuss-”

“Emma! Can you call the others down for breakfast, please?”

“Yes, Mother.” she said with a new focus.

She began to walk away when she remembered her father, “Oh! Forgive me, what were you saying?”

Her father smiled and said, “Nothing so important for this moment. We can talk about it later.”

          As evening dimmed the lights of Heaven and awoke the twinkling stars in the sky, Emma sipped on some tea and read aloud Psalm 103:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name...For as the Heavens are high above the earth-”

Her father joined in, “so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.”

Emma and her father shared a smile as he sat down next to her and kissed her forehead.

“That’s a beautiful Psalm, don’t you think?” she said joyfully.

“Yes, very beautiful indeed.”

          A moment of silence passed and then her father spoke again, “Do you remember when we were invited to dine with Mr. and Mrs. Winston last month?”

“Certainly! We all had a grand time!”

“Yes, we sure did. Well, I noticed Benjamin Harlow showing a sincere fancy for you…He has asked for my permission to court you-“

“Oh, Father, no! I don’t even know Benjamin beyond when we briefly met at the Winston’s and the few times I have seen him in town. He must be quite mistaken!”

“No, my dear, his feelings for you are very evident. And he is a fine young man. Many times has he helped me in the market and displayed the finest of manners and diligent work ethics.”

“Yes, perhaps, but Father, you know my interest and favor rests in the heart of Adam Lucas….and-”

“Just pray about it, my little Rose,” interrupted her father.

“Okay, I’ll pray about it but-”

“Thank you,” he said with a smile and then said goodnight.

She reached for her journal and began to write:

Swift changes do eclipse my thoughts,

Like fallen leafs upon the ground.

Yet, still, there are some empty spots,

And it’s a mystery where I’m bound.

 

          November 15^th 1864. The sun greeted the new day and the clouds waved cheerfully to the land bellow. The fallen leafs chased each other merrily about the yard and graced the earth with their many colors. And in the Carlson home, many young girls entertained the time with raveling ribbons, curving curls, mending stitches, and twirling in their gowns and dresses. A bundle of six sisters cared for and help beautify each other for Amy Winston’s wedding which would begin in less than two hours. The Carlson boys, Andrew and Eddy watched their sisters and laughed at their sudden vanity and girlish fancies.

         

 “Girls, we must be leaving soon,” announced their mother.

“The wedding doesn’t even start until 2:00 though, Mother,” declared Eddy with much confusion.

“Yes, I know. We must take some bread to Mrs. Harris and I promised Mrs. Winston that I would arrive early and help with any last minute details.”

Eddy acknowledged and then ran off to find his brother.

          As the girls took their seats in the beautiful church, a sudden thought raged in Emma’s mind, what if Benjamin comes today? What will I say? What will he expect? To her dismay, moments later she spotted him and his family. His mother chatted happily with her mother and he and his father and siblings all sat down just three rows behind her. Anxiety overlapped her calmed spirit, yet a ray of flattery balanced her emotions.

          “Never before have I been to such a beautiful wedding!” squealed Emma’s younger sister, Gabriella.

“Nor I!” said Sophie, who was the youngest of the Carlson sisters.

The guests enjoyed themselves with dancing and chatting. Emma caught a sight of her mother who was signaling her to come over to where she was.

“Emma dear, there you are. This is Mrs. Mallory. Mrs. Mallory, this is my daughter, Emma.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” stated Mrs. Mallory with a smile.

“You too, Ma’am,” said Emma.

“Emma is my second eldest daughter, she is eighteen. My eldest daughter, Rachel, is 21. Then there is Elizabeth, 16, Gabriella, 8, and Sophie who is only 6. I also have two sons, Andrew, 20, and Eddy, 12,” she said with the most humble of pride

          “Miss Amelia, would you honor me with this next dance?” asked Benjamin. 

“Ah, certainly, but only if you call me Emma; Amelia is much too-well, everyone just calls me Emma,” she said and then smiled

“Yes, of course; my apologies!”

She smiled and assured him it was no problem at all. He then offered her his arm and escorted her over to where the next dance would take place. Meanwhile, her father was speaking with Mr. Harlow and both smiled when they saw Emma and Benjamin dancing together.

“Your daughter is most wonderful! I couldn’t ask for a better gal for Benjamin to rest his interest on,” said Mr. Harlow.

“Thank you, that means a lot. Emma really is a gem; I just wish she could see that.”

 

 

Reviews

[Shamsuddin Mazed]

It's so Wonderful.

[That1Nerd23]

Thank you. (:

[Whitney Kleinhuizen]

Your writing is wonderful. Well done :)

[That1Nerd23]

Thank you! (:

[Victoria Elizabeth]

I love it, your writing style is spectacular! Please keep it up!

[That1Nerd23]

Thank you, Victoria! I appreciate it! ((:

[Victoria Elizabeth]

Your very welcome! This is one of my favorite piece, I can't wait to read more

[SmileBig :)]

This is fantastic. Nothing more to say :) I'll deffinitly keep reading!!!

[That1Nerd23]

Awe, thank you!! That means a lot! I'll definitely keep writing! ((: