Ina
had just finished reading Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Drowsily, she closed the
book, blew out her bedside lamp, and nodded off to sleep on December 7, 1934.
Dickens’ words danced in her mind: The Phantom slowly,
gravely, silently approached. “I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas
Yet to Come?” said Scrooge. The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with
its hand.
Ina
found herself peering through the swirling mist into her very own living room. The
little tree sat in its customary corner. She recognized an older version of
herself surrounded by . . . Well, there were Myrtle, Ethel and Vance. She would know
them anywhere. And could that young woman be – why, yes! – it’s granddaughter 
Shirley
Jean! She recognized those beautiful eyes! But who are those little girls? And look! – why, it
looks like Dorothy Portfors! It IS Dorothy Portfors! What’s SHE doing here?
Ina
knew for a fact that Dorothy Portfors was safely married and living in
Tennessee. She knew that Dorothy had just given birth to her second child,
another girl. So, what twist of fate could bring her to Ina’s family circle?
Married to Vance? No-o-o! Surely not!
But
it couldn’t be denied that the little group of people were enjoying one another
– well, mostly. With a twinge of sadness Ina saw that Jack was not there. So,
she would be the one to carry on . . .
[In
memory of Vance and Dorothy Dobson, married December 7, 1947. Vance passed away
November 1987, just prior to their 40th wedding anniversary.]
I have the last photo on the wall. May they carry on with us...
ReplyDeleteI know one thing -- they would carry on with us if they could. At the same time, I wouldn't want to hold them back.
ReplyDeleteI love that picture of your mom and dad. We had such a good time at their 25th anniversary party,
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris. Yes -- that was December 1972. I missed that party. And you were still a newlywed.
ReplyDeleteThe family thought it important to celebrate their 25th anniversary since they married late in life. It's good that happened.