Finally the Spring

The Ice of winter had finally melted.  The flowers of spring were beginning to bloom and once more spring had returned to Nomocotton, Texas.  Andy had come home, his hair had grown back and after six long months he had began to smile again.

As in years past, Dan was playing softball and teaching opposing pitchers to fear his savage bat.  He led the league in hits, RBIs, Homers and stolen bases.  Everyone in the stands understood why he always stopped and tipped his hat to the empty seat on the third base line before going to bat.

Odell has come home from the hospital in September.  He had overseen a big thanksgiving and Christmas for the boys and their father.  His loving words and devout faith had done much to soothe the pain of their loss.  Weekends at his house had rebuilt their spirit and helped them to understand that even though Sommer had died, she would never be gone as long as they remembered her.

Jake did his best to overcome the loss.  He battled thru the grief and the sleepless nights.  He held the boys when the nightmares came calling.  He cooked their meals, washed their clothes and tucked them in at night.  He soothed their fears and dried their tears as they slowly came to grips with their loss.

The family survived, but it did not proper that cold bitter winter.  They went through all the motions but their was no happiness in their hearts.  They continued to breathe and function but they were not living.

May 16th 2001

As Jake pulled into the driveway of his house, he noticed Andy and Dan sitting out in the garden.  He got out of the car and yelled "Andy, Dan are Yall, OK?"

Andy jumped up and ran over to him smiling and said "Dad, come with me! You gotta see this, It's so cool!"

As the two of them went around the tool shed, Jake first noticed what the boys had been staring at.

Dan looked over at his father and said "Do you see it Dad?  Momma is still watching over us!"

Jake sat down in the garden with his two boys for the rest of the evening and stared in wonder.  The three of them laughed, cried and shared stories about their precious Summer as they stared at her final gift.

You see on this beautiful spring day their mothers love came back to them in a form they all recognized.  Two years earlier before the sickness became known she had spent months grooming the ground and preparing.  Now six months after her passing her final parting gift showed up on the bush she had so lovingly planted.  It like nothing else had served to remind Jake and the boys that no matter how bitter the winter, spring like a mothers love always brings new hope.  After all the counseling, all the pretty words it would be a single red rose that would enable this family to live again.




Epilogue

As the years slipped away Dan and Andy would grow into manhood.  They would face many ups and downs, good times and bad times, but they would never forget the "Spirit of Summer."