Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: GAMBLE (04/14/16)
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TITLE: Remember the Raspberries | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Dick
04/21/16 -
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I pulled on the bag with both arms and slid it down the stairs behind me. Maneuvering around boxes, I continued sliding, pulling and yanking the precious cargo past obstacles. The garage door squeaked when I opened it and with a grunt, I tossed the bag into the growing pile of things I could do without.
A break suddenly became of primary importance, so I paused in the kitchen for a much needed cup of coffee. My search for a mug in the cupboard was to no avail, so I settled on a white Styrofoam cup I had purchased for the movers. The black coffee I poured was tepid, but better than nothing. Moving a box off of our solitary kitchen chair, I lowered myself into it and stared out the window at the beautiful snow topped mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
Tim suddenly entered the back door and grinned as he held up a plastic sandwich bag filled with raspberries. “Look what I found.” He chuckled as he laid them on the table in front of me.
“What a shame you have to leave your beloved raspberry bushes,” I looked at him trying to detect any hint of sadness.
“I’ll plant more at our new place,” said my husband enthusiastically.
“I sure hope we’re doing the right thing.” I took another sip of the bitter liquid and coughed as my taste buds objected. “This seems like such a gamble to me. I wish we could just stay here.”
Shaking his head, he stood and exited the way he had come. I watched him return to his beloved raspberry patch from the window. I then dumped my remaining coffee into the sink, and smashed the cup into the overflowing kitchen garbage.
Following him out the back door, I altered my direction when I was drawn to my English garden. Gravel crunched under my feet as I entered through the arbor with the sweet smell of wisteria enveloping me. Crouching, I yanked a yellow dandelion out of the dirt and tossed it aside. This will not be my job anymore. I stood and continued along the windy path. The overgrown lavender caught my attention and I fingered it longingly. There’s no time to prune.
The approaching sound of crunching footsteps caught my attention, and I slowly turned to look at Tim.
“You know it will be okay,” he said quietly.
I nodded and made an effort to swallow the lump that kept appearing in my throat.
“This is the garden where I spent time with God.” I reached down to touch a delicate pink rose petal. “If you remember, I planted every one of these shrubs and flowers.”
“Yes, but I also remember you calling it, not your English garden, but your weed garden that would allow a flower or two to grow among them,” he answered with a snicker.
“What if the house doesn’t sell?” I asked bluntly.
“We prayed about this and agreed that God is in charge. He is taking care of us, that’s why the move is not a gamble.”
“Right,'trust in the Lord with all your heart'.” Moving dirt around with the toe of my shoe, I sighed. “I need to trust.”
“It’s important to have a job, and the new job is in Alabama,” then he added on a lighter note, “and I hear southern people are pretty friendly and have great barbeque.”
The rumble of a semi-truck engine sounded, then the squeal of brakes.
“They’re here,” Tim said with a sigh.
I looked back at him and with some uncertainty replied, “Here we go.”
Based on a true story.
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Now, I'd love to know if the house sold quickly, we need an epilogue follow up!
Thanks for sharing with us...and for showing and telling of your great faith in "trusting our LORD" in all that we do.
Blessings~
I thought the dialogue was authentic and caring.
Blessings~
Welcome to the Advanced division!