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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: TRAIL (05/13/21)
The Way

My hands curled around the warm pottery. We bought this mug together on our Florida trip. I was so surprised to find Ayers pottery so far from Hannibal. I have collected their mugs and bowls for years, often buying the seconds because I loved the unexpected swirls of color created when the pattern didn't work out as planned. We had strolled down the beach and laughed, so thrilled that we actually had pulled off a weekend of camping and a day at the beach. Two bikini clad sisters offered to take our picture, calling us cute seniors. Over fish and chips we giggled over how shocked they would be to find themselves cute seniors in less time than they could imagine.

“Didn't work out as planned”....the theme of the year. The first sip of foamy latte was familiar and soothing. Grinding, brewing, frothing and choosing the mug to fit my mood had become my daily source of comfort since that first unsettling phone call. The day on the beach buried now in many fearful memories of the progression of her disease.

My beautiful sister was now unable to remember where she lived, let alone all our precious days together before she lost her bearings. We had made a long trail of footprints in that beach with our bare feet and our laughter. Fish and chips in the beach side cafe and a slow careful browse through the tourist shops. We found a serving tray for mom, mermaid tee shirts for the grand kids and this strong blue and brick colored clay mug. Sun burned, tired and completely content we slept well that night, unaware of how lost we would feel just these few months later. How could the simple joys of that sandy trail down the beach be so suddenly replaced by a season of feeling so lost?

Now I look at the stack of paperwork, medical files, Medicaid applications, guardianship documents, and I feel paralyzed by the gravity of this role reversal. She was the big sister, how can I steal her dignity like this? I remember the sense of betrayal I saw in her eyes as I pulled into the nursing home driveway and my fragile courage for this battle is shattered yet again. Every way forward that I can imagine seems to leave me with a picture of the detritus of our sisterhood trailing behind us in ragged pieces.

Turning away in pain I cradle the warm mug and step out on the deck. The sunshine, spring blossoms and comfy deck pillows always lift my spirits. My heart is too full for words, but the familiar prayer refuge pulls me into it's comforting space. This, this garden where my Father waits, always ready to hear my needs. I welcome Him into my memories, as I return again to our precious day on the beach and tell Him how deeply I miss my sweet Ginny. He rests there with me in the memory, seeing it clearly as only He and I now can. As my weary mind settles and the peace of His presence runs through me I see what I missed before, I see the image of our bare feet in the sand that day. Bare feet following, not making the trail, but walking a few steps behind in the footprints of the One who always leads the way through.


Note: This entry is fiction based on a true story.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 734 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laura Manley
05/20/21
This reminds me of my own sister and the close relationship we had. She went Home to be with the Lord after complications of her second battle with cancer. I know your sorrow and you did a very good job of describing it in this writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/20/21
This is a lovely story. I can feel the MC's emotions. Becareful of words that should be one word or hyphenated (sunburned, grandkids, bikini-clad). You have a strong message. Our world can change so suddenly and unexpectedly, yet God is still there to always comfort us and give us strength.
Bea Edwards 
05/20/21
You wrote from deep within...I could feel your heaviness and burden.

Your piece is a legacy to those loved one's lost to dementia.

Bittersweet and introspective.

Thankfully you followed it with the relief of time etched out to be spent with our Father.

Well done.

One piece of red ink. The initial combination of sentences seemed a bit awkward. Almost as if they needed to be combined or separated by a new line.

I'm not qualified to offer writing or grammatical critiques, having no training. However I do read
voraciously so I hope my advise is well received.
Stephen Kimball
05/20/21
Good job. This was my favorite line...”He rests there with me in the memory, seeing it clearly as only He and I now can.” I feel that often and you did a nice job of putting that into words.
C D Swanson 
05/25/21
My heart is moved so deeply, and filled with emotions that are palpable.

I've seen and witnessed so many lose their fight to that mind altering ravaging disease, and the family members who have cried in my office all remain in petitions in my heart.

You did a fine job with the topic as you wrote a moving piece, sharing your heart with ours. Well done.

God bless you~
Laurie Kiel 
05/27/21
Beautifully written. Very moving
Avigail David
05/27/21
I appreciated every word, every thought, every gentle inspiration you have conveyed in this sweet story. Thank you so much! :-)
Janice Aylor
07/30/21
This is a wonderful story. I especially like where you make mention of the Footprints poem without actually saying the name of it. This is a great way to allude to something in a subtle way.

Thanks.