5.3 The Past

“I want that one.”

“No, honey.”

“But Mommy, I like that one.”

“You can find another one you like."

Her daughter’s lip poked out and her shoulders slummed, but she obeyed and began to look for something else.

She did not want her daughter to own anything like it. Was it because it stirred up bitter memories? Memories she reburied every year. Or that the shape of it reminded her of the brokenness she endured? Or the pain that she had caused? Pain that had pierced long.

No. She did not want her daughter to be what she had been.   

5.2 Opening Night

It was the first time she was ever doing it on her own. The curtain drew back and the show began without any trouble. Kate breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was in its place, prop management wasn’t so bad. Then something went wrong. Kate could see the star’s eyes darting around, looking. Excuses were made on stage so the star could leave. There was already a flurry backstage but the star’s temper already escaped her. 

          “Where is it?” she shrieked, as loudly as was appropriate for the wings. 

           Kate pulled off her shoe and handed it to her, “Improvise!” 

5.1 The Fair

The May Fair was always a favorite in his family. This year, their little one was to inherit the joy, too. Ready to go and eager to see the animals, they had to hold tightly to her hand. Pointing out the different booths and listening to the vendors bartering, the familiar whirlwind was comforting. But amidst the swirl of ribbons and flowers, their little girl’s hand slipped away. A horrified chill slipped down them when they realized. Running back over used paths, they looked everywhere. The chill deepening, they began to look new places. They saw her, with the ponies. 

Found

We stood in front of the jewelery counter and looked down at the sparkling rings that shone inside them. My mind flashed back to when my mother and I stood on the stoop of our house as I waited to be picked up.

"Now, if he asks you if you want a ring say no," my mother told me.
I shook my head and hid a smile, "What makes you think he'll propose?"
My mother ignored my question. "You don't want him to spend money on something extravagant like that. You don't need to have a ring."
"But I want to have a ring when I get engaged," I pouted.
Then Samuel's car chugged up into the drive. And sure enough a few days later we were engaged. All the other dates we went on I had to pay for everything so that Samuel could save his money for that ring he wanted to buy me.
And now that day had come. He stood next to me with his hands stuffed in his pockets as he watched me look at the rings. My eyes glided down the rows of diamond rings. I now see why my mother had told me not to let Samuel buy me one, but I wanted a ring to put on that left finger so that everyone would know I found my special someone. I looked at all the rings, some with big stones in them, some with multiple ones, some with so many numbers attached to them that my eyebrows shot high into the sky.

"It couldn't possibly be this hard to find one," I thought. I looked up at Samuel to find him staring down at me. I suddenly felt shy and glanced back down at the counter. Then I noticed one I overlooked before. It had a tiny round diamond set in the center of two thin silver bands. It was tinsey, but it was perfect.

I pointed at it, "I like this one."

His hands came out of his pockets. "You do?" Samuel asked quietly, with a pleased tone in his voice.

I nodded my head up and down quickly, "Uhhuh."

Samuel got the attention of the jeweler and pointed to the ring.

Samuel and I stood there like two shy but excited little kids as the jewler took the ring out and made sure it fit my finger. The jewler boxed the ring and I watched Samuel slowly and carefully lay the money he had lovingly been saving up for me down on the counter. The jewler swept the money up and put it in his cash box without a thought, like it just it was an ordinary purchase.

Samuel picked up the box and led me outside and over underneath a nearby tree. He opened the box and in the shy, boyish way of his that I always loved he slid the ring on my finger, the ittsy-bittsy ring that meant so many things, and kissed my hand.

Laugh

The tent flap was pushed aside and the lady stepped out. The stars twinkled through the black blanket spread across the sky. She glanced up at the stars. There were more up there than she could count. But yet her husband had told her. The stars had a purpose. They were there to remind them of Jehovah's promise that they would have as many children as the stars in the sky. For a long time their arms remained empty while the stars continued to twinkle above them. She scoffed at the idea, look how old they were. But now this tiny bundle in her arms proved it. Jehovah always keeps his promises. How silly she had been to doubt Him. He had made a covenant with her husband, and it was not broken. They had had a child. How amazing was their God? The lady could hardly fathom it. She doubted it, but it still came to be. And Sarah laughed.

Not Forgotten

The new king, the pharaoh, does not know,

What Joesph decreed long ago.

The old pharaoh gave him choice,

to settle in the best land

and they rejoiced.

The famine still raged.

The Egyptians struggled along,

But we grew strong.

The pasture was green,

All was serene.

Our cup overflowed

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The Final Moment

This is long over due, my apoliges. Enjoy!

Tucking up the last inch of my pointe shoe ribbon I stood up and glanced at myself in the mirror one last time. My hair was slicked back and twisted into a circular bun, a pink ribbon dangled from the bottom. Blush had brushed my cheeks, red lipstick painted my lips, and my eyelashes were blanketed with mascara. My costume rested snugly on my torso and the skirt flowed down to my knees. I looked ready.

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