Ghost written for private client publishing book of short stories, 2021
Love In A Letter
The holidays wouldn’t be the same this year. She held onto the memories of fifty-nine mistletoe kisses and cinnamon scented Christmas mornings she shared with her husband over the years. Seven months had ached by since the day he passed and as the festive season quickly approached, she felt the weight of his absence pulling a bit heavier on her heart.
She awoke on Christmas morning, glanced to his side of the bed and whispered “Merry Christmas” into the space once filled with his warmth. She sat still for a moment as if anticipating a reply but as none came, up she stood, slowly and with care. The bite of this particular December morning seeped through her bedroom window and with a shutter, she pinched the collar of her bed shirt tightly closed to mask the chill. She walked downstairs, brewed herself a cup of coffee and meandered back up to her bathroom to run the water for a shower. She stood quietly for a moment and sat down on the side of the bathtub. She slid her hand towards the faucet, letting her skin float through the water to catch the droplets while the other hand gripped her mug, absorbing the fresh brew’s heat. Bringing the coffee to her lips, she paused and sank into the aromas, trying to savor the sensations of the present but feeling a pull towards the memories of her past. It had been an aching few months. She felt lonely and longed for the sound of her husband’s voice to dance across the walls, just one more time.
She was strong for her family and took notice to comfort them during each chance she had. He wasn’t only a husband, but a father and grandfather to an empowering lineage of men and women who were too, in mourning of the first Christmas without him. She embraced her family and held on to each hug as they joined together to celebrate the day.
The fireplace crackled songs of solace into the air while rich and decadent scents of dinner roasting in the oven lingered from the kitchen, perking the noses of the group. Candles induced warm lighting throughout the space and the breeze outside lightly tapped onto the corners of the windows, adding a touch of percussion into the slow holiday music the family played in the background of the gathering. She looked around the living room, feeling whole by the company yet hollowed by her missing half. Gifts were shuffled from left to right, as everyone gave and received bundles of Christmas joy to each other. After the piles appeared to dissipate, an unopened and beautifully wrapped box sat in the corner. Her granddaughter carefully lifted the treasure and passed it down the outstretched arms towards her. With curious eyes, she reached out her hands, brought the box into her lap and began to unwrap what was in front of her. She pulled back the paper to reveal an engraved silver box. Her heart sank and her eyes began to well up with tears, recognizing the depth that saturated what was just given to her.
She took a deep breath and opened the lid of the silver box. She closed her eyes, cupped her mouth and succumbed to her emotions as she became overwhelmed with the sight of the contents. Inside of the box, were hand-written love letters between she and her husband that dated back to 1962. While apart and in college, the two would write to each other and unaware that he had held onto the letters, she sat in utter awe. She picked up a letter in her hand and brushed the tip of her finger over the ink and across his handwriting. The passion and unity that saturated every word seemed to lift right off of the paper and fill her soul with his energy. She read his words, closed her eyes and could once again, hear the sound of his voice. He must have been listening to her over the past months, as this was exactly the message that she needed from him.
She looked around the room at her family and was overjoyed with the compassion and thoughtfulness of the gift. With a deep breath of gratitude, she felt the weight that once pushed down on her heart, lift just enough. As a few more tears fell down her cheeks, she understood that although her soulmate was no longer with her, his presence could be seen in the hearts of each person that stood together on this day and his spirit was brought to life through the peace in their home.
When the celebration was over and the family had gone, she walked steadily up the stairs with the silver box protected in her hands. She made her way to her bedroom and placed the box on the nightstand, right next to his side of the bed. She sat down where he once slept, closed her eyes and rested her hand gently on top of the closed box. Again, she whispered, “Merry Christmas.”
This time she felt him whisper in reply, “Merry Christmas, my love.”
While all may feel lost during moments of grief, healing will begin if you allow yourself the privilege to step closer to peace by examining each glimmer of hope that still lurks in the spaces around you. The soul of the individual who is no longer here, can always be seen through the love of family members and through the memories in your heart.
Source: Grandma Surprised on Christmas with Old Love Letters from Late Husband, Today.com