( Intermediate level )
After 47 years of marriage, Lucy found herself, looking out at the pier, alone. Her husband, Bill, had just passed away the month before.
He had struggled with his health for many years. Finally, his body was too tired to fight any longer.
She remembered his last words to her, as he lay in the hospital bed with his life leaving his body, “Be happy, my love, for I will be, forever, with you.” He always had a poetic way with his words.
After his passing, Lucy found herself not wanting to eat nor get dressed. Her life companion was gone. Her home felt empty. She felt empty.
They had two wonderful sons together. One was a physician in New York and the other was a software engineer in Texas. Each begged her to come live with them, after Bill had passed, but she refused.
She did not want to leave the house that Bill had built for them. She knew she would not be happy in a city. Cities were too busy and too noisy.
She loved hearing the birds sing in the morning. The breeze rustle through the trees and the frogs croaking. The quiet and simple life was what she wanted.
She had wonderful neighbors who would check on her often. Sometimes, having a casserole, saying they had extras. She knew they were making sure she was eating.
Most of the children in the community called her Grandma Lucy. They, too, would knock on her door and have wild flowers in hand, as a gift, for her.
She would head into town, once a month, to grocery shop while her husband fished. She would spend a short time at the park, before she shopped, watching the children play. Sometimes having a few sweets in her pocket to give to the children.
Lucy knew she had to be strong if she was to keep the house and stay alone. She needed to get back to normalcy. Somehow, she needed to find the courage. Each night Lucy would say to herself , “Tomorrow will be the day.”
The day had finally come. The day where she felt she had the strength to face life alone. Lucy woke up with the sun shining through the window. She looked out at the trees and noticed the leaves were beginning to change their colors.
Summer was coming to an end. Winter would be coming soon and things had to be done before the cold weather set in.
She got up and headed to the kitchen. Put the coffee on to brew and headed to the shower. By the time she was done with her shower the coffee was done.
She poured a cup of coffee and walked slowly outside. She found herself walking towards the pier. She had so many memories there.
She remembered watching her husband fish. He was always proud of every fish he caught. No matter how big or how small, he would tell a story of his struggle to land the fish.
She paused, for a moment, and looked out at the sunrise. What a magnificent view. She inhaled and sighed.
She remembered how Bill loved to wake her up and drag her outside to watch the sunrise. He would say, “Today will be a wonderful day!”
As she watched the sun rise higher, kissing the sky, she felt the warmth of the sun touch her cheek. She put her hand to her cheek and she whispered, “Oh Bill. I knew you will always be here with me. Thank you for loving me. I will be ok. I love you.”
She turned and headed back down the pier to her home. Feeling a calmness now, she was ready to start the next chapter in her life. She knew, now, she had found the courage.
She dressed, put on a sweater and put a few sweets in her pocket and headed to town to buy a few groceries.
Written by: Angel
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Vocabulary:
pier: a platform leading out from the shore into a body of water
passed away: polite expression for die
physician: doctor
casserole: oven baked, all in one meal, usually containing meat, vegetables and potatoes.
community: group of people living in the same place
normalcy: being normal
courage: the ability to do something that scares or upsets you
brew: make coffee with hot water.
whisper: speak very softly
calmness: feeling calm, no worries or problems
Question( s ):
How do you feel about Lucy’s choice to stay and not move in with her son(s)?
Would you be able to find courage?
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