Short Stories

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A Thanksgiving Story
By Hannah Robertson

“I can’t wait till Thanksgiving” Priscilla said wishfully as she paused from her dusting, resting her hand on the mantle she said “We haven’t been to Aunt Rachel’s house in ages.” “Yeah, and I haven’t ridden John and Joseph’s horses in almost 2 years!” Said Peter who was 10 years old, excitedly. “Well, we have three days before we leave so let’s not hear any more talking about it, and do your work!” Katharine Caldron said disapprovingly, but then smiled slightly and said, “I am rather looking forward to it too, but not meditating on it all day while I’m supposed to be working!” She said wiping the smile off her face and looking over her glasses at the children. So they started back with what they were doing, they knew that Ma sometimes didn’t chose the best of words, but under it all she was a kind person. Priscilla started moving her hand gracefully over the shiny cedar mantel again and Peter started back scrubbing the floor with white slippery soap that Ma made every other week. So the days progressed rather slowly for the children, but sure enough the day before the trip finally arrived, but sad news awaited the family that day. That morning Pa went out of the house for the last time before he went to see the Savior in glory. Ma came inside with tears rolling down her ghostly white cheeks. Peter and Priscilla ran to her and she muttered the sad news to the shocked children. Just then, the doctor, Mr. Henderson came in and told them he had passed away. By then the children where in uncontrollable tears and Ma tried to comfort them through her own tears. They had the funeral service that afternoon, then they went home no more looking forward to Thanksgiving, they honestly didn’t think they could even be thankful. But nevertheless Ma packed up all the food and clothes needed for their 4 day stay at Aunt Rachel and Uncle Paul’s house a 3 hour drive from the Caldron’s farm.
Aunt Rachel met them with compassionate eyes, wet with tears. The next day was filled with people coming in wagons and food being prepared, but over it all there was a certain solemness. Peter did not feel like riding horses, Priscilla did not feel like playing with her cousins either. When it came time for the great feast Uncle Paul stood up and said, “Today it may seem hard for us to be thankful to God because our dear Richard passed away so unexpectedly.” He paused and looked around at the solemn faces and some wet with tears. He continued, “But let us remember about the holiday we are celebrating, Thanksgiving. As we all know the first Thanksgiving was when the pilgrims had a big feast to celebrate what God had done for them. We must also remember all the hardships they went through just on the way up there! They went through death of friends and family as we have just done. I think we need to praise God for bringing us together and know that Richard is in heaven glorifying God right now and if we truly know Him we will see him again. It’s your decision whether to thank the Lord for what we do have or to begrudge God for taking him.” he said as he sat down and looked at the floor. After a little bit Ma got up and wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled faintly, then said, “Well, if you ladies would like to help me we can get the turkey on the table.” The ladies got up to join her in the kitchen. Then a voice came out, “Why don’t we go ride the horses now, John!” Peter said enthusiastically as he got up and raced the boys to the door.. Priscilla and some other girls went and played dolls. Then the sound rang up from the little kitchen, “For the beauty of the earth, for the glories of the sky, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies.” All the voice’s joined in the song of Thanksgiving in the midst of sorrow.

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