Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GOING HOME (from vacation) (09/03/15)
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TITLE: Crossing | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rachel Rudd
09/10/15 -
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"They sure are amazing, Anna. Can you see the way the mother is smelling the small pup? She'll be able to find her pup by that smell if they get separated." Peter settled back against the metal railing while his granddaughter stared at the magnificent creatures. Mountain peaks like gentle giants surrounded the loch that rose and fell with the tide. Small white dots of sheep grazed among the lilac heather gracing the hillsides.
Anna's questioning brought him back from his reverie, "Grandaddy, do you know why your ancestors left Scotland to come to America?"
"You've studied immigration in your history class, right?"
"Yes, we learned about religious persecution and poverty as being the two main reasons people left."
"Well, as far as I can tell my ancestors left for both reasons-to have freedom to believe in
God and to gain land."
"But didn't it cost a lot to cross the Atlantic Ocean? It cost us quite a bit of money to get here."
"Yes, darling, it sure did, but they saved just like we did to make it over. For me it's been worth every penny to see the land of my forefathers." He placed his arm around Anna. "And I'm so glad we got to bring you with us."
She kissed his clean-shaven cheek, "Me, too, Grandaddy."
*********************
"Anna, Anna, are you daydreaming again? We need to go and get some lunch before the ship closes the dining hall."
"I'm sorry, Grandmomma. I was just remembering the last conversation I had with him." Tears slid down her freckled cheeks.
Margaret cuddled her close. "I know, dear, but we'll get through this somehow." She choked back her own tears. "I'm so glad that you are with me through all of this. I can't imagine being alone during this time."
"But why now? I know he was sick, but we were so happy together and enjoying exploring. We were even going to try to climb some of the hills. We wanted to see if we could find some quartz."
"I don't know why God let this happen now. Your Granddaddy and I had so many plans for this trip. We have been saving for years to be able to visit his homeland, as he liked to call it. It's funny how he felt that Scotland was his country even though he had never been there. When he was diagnosed with cancer, we knew we had to come now." She exhaled slowly. "Maybe God saved him from years of pain." She looked out over the railing to the waves slapping against the ship that would take them back home to their country, back home to an empty house and a funeral yet to be planned.
"I remember what Grandaddy said to me when we kept having to move so much with Dad's job. Did he tell you?" Anna whispered.
"I think I could guess. He always liked the saying, home is where your heart is."
Anna sat upright and exclaimed, "But He always said that his heart belonged to Jesus. He must be home now then!"
Margaret smiled softly, "Yes, and I can hardly wait to be home with him there." She straightened up and looked into Anna's eyes, " But right now we have a life to live and I have a family who loves me."
Anna kissed her delicate face, "Yes, Grandmomma, with all our heart we love you."
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