New Beginnings & Cherished Memories
New Beginnings & Cherished Memories
The fourth series in the Dusty Town sequence.
A Sweet Sunset. Episode 11
September 12, 1899
The late summer afternoon was coming to a close and the evening sounds were beginning to usher in another quiet, peaceful sunset in rural Kansas. As Jacob watched his grandkids play in the dusty yard, his mind drifted back to those days 60 years ago when he and his brothers would do the same. His brothers were gone now, killed during the turbulent days of the American Civil War. He remembered when his boys were young so long ago too, yet they played the same games in that same dusty yard. The older he got, the more comfort Jacob found in the sameness of life amid the passage of time.
Jacob, Willie, and Betty Lou were in their accustomed spots on the front porch of the main house after supper. It had become a cherished time over the years since Maddie’s death, as it had been when she was alive and right there on that porch with them.
“Reckon this has to be one of the finest sunsets I ever did see.”
“It’s a wonder you looked up from that whittlin’ of yours long enough to even see it!” Jacob teased Willie with a grin on his face.
“It’s kinda like when Ma died. Remember Pa?”
Jacob rocked back in his chair and remembered, “Seems like just yesterday doesn’t it son?”
“Uh huh, it does Pa, it does. You still miss her Pa?”
“Uh huh son, I do.”
“Me too, Pa, me too.”
Betty Lou watched the painted colors dance across the sky, and as the yellows and oranges and pinks turned to purples and reds, she remembered that day too, when she said goodbye to her dear, dear friend for the very last time.
They were quiet for a while, with the breeze playing in the trees. Sue had brought the children in for the night and the only noises left were the chirping of insects and the rustling of the trees. That is, until Jacob spoke, ever so softly.
“Wrote Aunt Daisy a bit of a while ago. About visitin’ and all. Like we were talkin’ remember. Got a letter back from her today.”
Read Prior Episodes of New Beginnings & Cherished Memories
Starting Over Again in Kansas. Episode 1
Nothing’s Changes. Everything’s Changes. Episode 2
Knowing What to Do When the Time Comes. Episode 3
Still Plenty of Sweet Living Left for Them. Episode 4
Morning Light. Episode 5
”You can’t count how much we all love you.” Episode 6
A Spare Room in the Back of the Store. Episode 7
The Stars at Night. Episode 8
Aunt Daisy! Episode 9
Sometimes Dreams Do Come True. Episode 10
A Sweet Sunset. (This one)
