Posted on Saturday, 14 June 2008
This short story is dedicated to my dad, Cliff. I still miss him.
As Elizabeth Bennet woke to memories of her dad on Father's Day, she decided to dedicate this day to thoughts of her father.
Upon entering the study, Elizabeth determined to search the computer for information on the history of this special day, and discovered that the idea for creating a day to honor fathers was the result of a daughter listening to a mother's day sermon. The woman, Sonora Smart Dodd, had been raised by her father and wanted him to know how special he was to her. His sacrifices, in her eyes, made him a courageous and selfless man. Since she was born in June, Sonora thought that Father's Day should be celebrated in June. Therefore, the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on the third Sunday in June in 1910, all due to Sonora's efforts. But it wasn't until 1972 that President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day, to be held on the third Sunday of June.
It was with these thoughts that Elizabeth began to think of her own father's selfless sacrifices and knew that she needed to do something special to mark this day.
As she approached the Willow Grove section of Meryton Cemetery, she thought of all the gifts her father had given to her, even though she felt an ache inside her for his absence.
Today was the fourth Father's Day that had come since his death. The first was a blur, as it had been so soon after his passing. The second, she'd been in shock. The third she'd been too busy to notice its passing. And now, she sensed that she was finally feeling the depth of her loss.
The peace and tranquility that were the hallmark of Meryton Cemetery had long been a place of solace for Elizabeth. She had come here many times with her mother when she was young to visit her grandparents' graves. She had always enjoyed walking through the willows. Early spring was her favorite time, as there were dogwood and azaleas that framed the separate sections of the cemetery, and around the back edge of the lake.
The late spring of May and early June marked the time when the roses bloomed, as they were on this day.
She stopped her car, and began to walk the short walk to the family plot. She said a silent prayer as she approached. Over her shoulder, she carried a bag that she had brought with her. When she reached the grave marker, her right index finger traced the letters:
A tear slid down her cheek as she reached the last letter.
Elizabeth reached into her bag and drew out a thin blanket, placing it on the ground beside the grave. She removed her garden gloves and clippers and began to prune away the weeds that had begun to crop up around the base of the tombstone. It was mindless work, but it steadied her and allowed her to calm the emotions that were rising to the surface. When she was done on one side of the stone, she moved the blanket around to the other and continued pruning. As she worked she gathered the clippings and put them in a smaller bag.
When she had finished cleaning around the stone, she moved to the tree rose bush near the gravesite. She pruned the tree, and cut some of the dead leaves off, but as it was heavy with blooms, its fragrance filled the air. The scent was light, sweet and fresh.
When she had finished her tasks and all of the clippings were wrapped up in the large bag, she sat back on the blanket and pulled out an envelope. Elizabeth had spent the last month writing a letter to her father, taking down all the things that she would want to say to him if she ever had the opportunity. A friend had shared with her the experience of reading just such a letter at her mother's grave, and Elizabeth had decided that she might try it for herself.
She opened the envelope, withdrew the letter, and began to read aloud:
I can hardly believe that it has been over 3 years since you passed away. You were such an important part of my life for so long, that at times it is still hard to believe you are gone.
My earliest memory is of you. Remember when we went fishing at Fontana? We didn't have any bait, so you suggested that we try to fish with chewing gum. I thought that you were the silliest thing, and I remember laughing and laughing with you. Then, the most amazing thing was when I caught a fish! With Wrigley's spearmint gum (well, I didn't remember what kind of gum, but you liked to talk about that time as well!)
I remembered the joy you shared with me when you came to watch my dance or piano recitals. I also remember the [b]thrill[/b] I felt when you brought a piano home for me. Seeing the men delivering and bringing it up the stairs is still one of my favorite memories of childhood.
I have often regretted that you had to work as much as you did. But I know now that you were just doing the best you could to provide for us. I don't know if I ever said thank you for all the sacrifices you made for me and the rest of our family.
You and I shared a love for sentimental shows on TV. Mom never cried, but you and I always did. Your kind and tender heart meant so much to me. It also made me want to wait until I found a man who was strong enough to support me, but had enough trust in me to share the real him. I know that I found that in William, Dad.
You watched with such pride as I gave the Salutatorian address when I graduated from high school. And you were there beaming with pride as I graduated with honors from college and graduate school. You were always my champion. You always believed in me, that I could accomplish anything that I set out to do. Your confidence in me helped me do more with my life than I would have ever have imagined. You [b]were[/b] an example of unconditional love to me. Your smile always warmed my heart, and I miss it.
I still have pictures of you at work and at home, with your smile just for me. It helps me know that you are still up there watching over me.
Will is everything that you would have wanted for me, Dad. He is kind and considerate, as well as gentle and loving. But he is also strong and determined, and brave in the face of challenges (which I confess, at times I have also been for him!) He is a wonderful businessman and entrepreneur, but also he is a loving and considerate husband.
If it had not been for your example, I do not know that I would have waited to find a man such as Will. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the example you set with your love for me.
It is hard to believe that it has been so long since you passed. But I know that it is time to let the pain go, and move on with the strength that you have given me by example. I thank you, Dad, for giving me the strength I need to let go of the pain. As you always said to me, ‘remember the past as it gives us pleasure.' From today on, that will be my goal when it comes to my remembrances of you.
Good Bye, Dad,
Your Elizabeth
Tears had fallen silently as Elizabeth read the letter. But by the time she had finished reading, they had begun to subside. She sat in silence. The calm, stillness of that spring day began to invade her spirit. A light breeze blew by and brought peace to her soul. Streams of light slipped through the willows overhead, dotting the landscape. Birds chirped to each other.
A butterfly fluttered over head and came to rest on the gravestone. Serenity! That was what she felt when she saw it. It was as if it were the spirit of her father, bringing with it a smile to warm her day. The butterfly had always symbolized transformation to Elizabeth, and the reminder on that warm spring day brought her peaceful tranquility. Her pain and grief had been transformed.
Elizabeth stood and folded the blanket and put it back in the tote bag, and picked a bloom from amongst the tree roses. She brought it to her lips and kissed it before laying it on the stone. "Bye, Dad. I love you," she said and then turned to walk away.
As she walked, she felt her spirit grow in harmony with the God that had made this glorious day. He had given her a father, and a husband that loved her completely.
A smile began to grace her lips as she saw Will standing by her car. Her pace increased as she got closer to him and he smiled as well. Will walked toward her and as they embraced, he lifted her off the ground until her mouth came in contact with his. It was not a kiss full of passion, but of love and understanding.
As he placed her back on her feet, they interlaced their fingers and he said, "I thought you might be here. How are you, Elizabeth?" She felt instilled with his love as she reacquainted herself with his hazel-green eyes.
"I am content, Will. I truly am. Something profound happened to me today. I know that Dad loved me and wanted me to live fully and happily. He wouldn't want me to be stuck in this grief. I can't explain it, it just lifted off of me while I sat at his grave."
Elizabeth moved back into Will's embrace and put her arms around his waist, settling her head on his chest. "Thank you for coming. You always seem to know what I need."
"Elizabeth, you know your father entrusted me with your care. His last words to me were, ‘Take care of her, son. Remember to love her with all your heart. She deserves that.' And day-by-day, I continue to try to do that. I love you," he said as he pulled her tighter into his embrace.
They stood there in the stillness of the Willow Grove, holding each other until peace invaded their souls, uniting them again with the love they shared.
When either of them thought back on that moment, they would think of the peace they found there in Willow Grove. Contentment found from God's gift of a butterfly for Elizabeth...