Re: THE QUILT - BRAVO!!!! -- Unicorn

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Date Posted: 13:04:55 04/29/02 Mon
Author: Raphaela
Author Host/IP: webcacheB09a.cache.pol.co.uk / 195.92.168.171
Subject: Re: THE QUILT - BRAVO!!!!
In reply to: Dusty 's message, "THE QUILT" on 11:27:13 04/29/02 Mon

I was pushed for time so thought I would take a peep and come back later to read at leisure but your poem had me completely enthralled from beginning to end - and you certainly involved your reader- the lump in my throat as I quickly read was very real as the tears that came to my eyes.

You should also write this in short story form as it would be popular in many magazines.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Raphaela

>Another one of my stories that came out of
>nowhere......
>
> THE QUILT
>
> Laura still remembered how
> At home and warm she'd felt
> When she first met Daniel's mother
> The way her heart had quickly melt
> He was the youngest child of four
> The cherished only son
> And the resentment of his sisters
> Should have foretold what was to come
>
> Laura's own Mom had passed away
> Very early in her life
> She'd never know a mother's love
> Until becoming Daniel's wife
> Anna was a lonely widow
> For her 3 other children
> Despite her efforts had grown to be
> Vindictive, grasping women
>
> Their father died many years ago
> Though he had invested well
> Leaving Anna a wealthy widow
> Whose daughters made her life a hell
> They complained she favored Daniel
> Their junior by ten years
> And their selfishness had been the cause
> Of Anna's many tears...
>
> She'd despaired of ever having
> Daughters who returned her love
> So when Daniel married Laura
> She had thanked the Lord above
> A very sweet and gentle girl
> With such loneliness in her eyes
> Growing up without a mother's love
> Had left her much deprived
>
> It was impossible not to love her
> And Anna took much joy...
> Delighting in the quiet girl
> Who'd married her only boy
> Right from the beginning
> The two women forged a bond
> That was destined to endure
> Growing ever close and strong
>
> For the first year of their marriage
> They lived in Anna's home
> Then Daniel took a West Coast job
> And they struck out on their own
> At the thought of leaving Anna
> Laura reacted with disbelief
> She'd grown to love the older woman
> And was overcome with grief
>
> Before farewells were ever said
> Anna took her by the hand
> Wiped her tears and said, "Don't worry!
> I have devised a clever plan!"
> The mother-in-law would sew a quilt
> Of many patchwork squares
> Fabric from dresses, aprons, gowns
> And scraps found everywhere
>
> Laura would send a piece of cloth
> One square in every letter
> While Anna then would add her own
> And piece them all together!
> 'Their' quilt would be a masterpiece
> Laura laughed and clapped her hands!
> Enchanted with the whole idea
> Of her mother-in-law's ingenious plan!
>
> The day the couple finally left
> Anna hid her pain within
> She'd miss the girl, but as Daniel's wife
> Laura's place was with him
> But the love between the women
> Was not dimmed by all the miles
> Letters from Laura arrived each week
> Always making the widow smile
>
> For folded into every one
> Was a single fabric square
> Different colors, styles and textures
> All were stacked by Anna's chair
> Communication never faltered
> But continued through the years
> Daniel's tragic acidental death
> Meant letters stained with tears
>
> Both widows now, the correspondence
> Was a way for each to share
> Feelings, sadness, hopes and dreams
> Knowing how much the other cared
> They never mentioned the patchwork quilt
> As the years went slowly by
> Though Laura snipped and Anna sewed
> Until the day she died
>
> It happened suddenly at eighty-one
> Peacefully, in her sleep
> Laura took the lawyer's call
> Then hung up and began to weep
> He'd said her presence was required
> For the reading of Anna's will
> "But I'm not family---I'm an in-law"
> He said, "You must be here still"
>
> He gave the date saying, "See you then"
> Laura sat clutching the phone
> Just knowing that Anna had passed away
> Left her sad and so alone...
> So two weeks later, she grimly sat
> In the old woman's dining room
> With the lawyer, who said the sisters
> Would be along very soon.
>
> Laura sadly shook her head
> "They never once came to call
> But now, to hear her will be read
> They'll waste no time at all"
> The lawyer gave a little smile
> "Anna was old and very wise"
> Laura wondered about the humor
> She saw twinkling in his eyes...
>
> One by one they all arrived
> And hastily took their seats
> Pointedly ignoring Laura
> Who stared silently at her feet
> The oldest daughter sniffed and said,
> "What on earth's SHE doing here?
> Daniel's dead and she's not family
> That much is very clear!"
>
> "Because" the lawyer sternly said
> "Her attendance is on the list
> Of things your mother gave to me
> As part of her final wish!
> The first thing I've been told to do
> Is give you each a chance to take
> Something from here inside the house
> As a memento or keepsake"
>
> Before he'd finished speaking,
> The daughters scattered to the winds
> Leaving not a drawer unsearched
> In their hunt for treasures deep within!
> The oldest claimed the crystal set
> The middle sister----the china plates
> The youngest one grabbed the jewelry
> And that caused a big debate!
>
> Laura left them arguing
> As she slowly climbed the stairs
> To enter Anna's sewing room
> Settling in the rocking chair
> The pain she felt inside her heart
> Was the worst she'd ever known
> She'd have gladly given all she had
> If only Anna could come home!
>
> Then she recalled the lawyer's words
> What would help her to remember?
> And all at once, she knew----the quilt!!
> That had tied them both together
> In the corner was a cedar chest
> That Laura opened carefully
> To find the beautiful masterpiece
> That Anna'd sewed so lovingly
>
> Tenderly folded and wrapped in tissue
> With an envelope on top
> Addressed to "My Daughter Laura"
> She thought the tears would never stop!
> Returning to the dining room
> The package clutched to her chest
> The sisters had settled their argument
> Giving all the noise a rest
>
> Then the lawyer cleared his throat
> Saying in a steady voice
> "Anna was sane and sound of mind
> When she made her final choice"
> "' To each of my three daughters
> I leave a one hundred dollar bill
> As a reward for all the love they showed
> While I was living still...
>
> The house and all my property
> Will go on the auction block
> The proceeds to go to charity
> As well as bonds and stocks!' "
> When the lawyer finished reading
> The eldest daughter cried,
> "That can't be IT...what about the cash?
> Mother had thousands set aside!"
>
> "No cash is mentioned" he smugly said
> The daughters made quite a scene
> "This will cannot be legal then!"
> The youngest began to scream
> But the lawyer laughed, "It's legal
> Quite so and locked up tight!
> It can't even be contested
> Your mother knew you'd want to fight!"
>
> So take your keepsakes and the cash
> For it's all that you'll receive
> This property's no longer yours
> And that you must believe!"
> Laura exchanged glances
> With the lawyer as he smiled
> "Anna knew her daughters well
> They'll be shrieking for a while!"
>
> Slowly they walked to the door
> "I can't believe she's gone!"
> The lawyer patted her shoulder kindly
> "Anna's love for you was strong!"
> "Thank-you for your assistance,"
> Laura firmly shook his hand
> "Do you think there's anyway on earth
> They will ever understand?"
>
> He gave a smirk, "I doubt it"
> Though they shouldn't be suprised
> Anna waited a lifetime for their love
> But by them, she was despised"
> Nodding sadly, Laura left
> With the quilt held to her heart
> Back inside the hotel room
> She again felt hot tears start
>
> Spreading the blanket across the bed
> She felt the warmth of Anna's love
> Then fell to her knees to send a prayer
> To Heaven up above
> The lamp behind her cast a glow
> On a section she smoothed with care
> Realizing she traced a capital L!!
> Embroidered on one blue square...
>
> Her finger made a crackling sound
> And she sat up in suprise
> Carefully patting different places
> As her curiosity came alive!
> It seemed as if every other patch
> Made the same soft whispering sound
> She quickly snipped one open
> And her amazement knew no bounds!!
>
> Every alternate square was stuffed
> With bundles of cold, hard cash!!
> As the 20s and 50s fluttered out
> Laura stared and stifled a gasp!
> She dialed the phone with shaking fingers
> Then heard the lawyers kindly voice
> She explained, but he wasn't a bit suprised
> All he said was, "Rejoice!!"
>
> "Anna knew you'd want the quilt
> That's why she stuffed it full!
> This way, those three will never know
> And it won't come to push and pull!
> "But sir," poor Laura could barely speak
> "Do you know how much is here?
> It must be 50 thousand dollars!!"
> He chuckled, "It's more than that, my dear!
>
> I liquidated her accounts myself
> Over 100 thousand in small bills
> And she gave instructions for that amount
> To be omitted from the will!
> She wanted you to have it, Laura
> For bringing joy into her life
> To Anna, you were her daughter
> As well as Daniel's wife!
>
> So don't refuse her last request
> The cash is all yours now
> Use it wisely....for I'm quite sure
> That Anna is smiling now!"

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Replies:

Re: THE QUILT - BRAVO!!!! -- Dusty, 15:51:30 04/29/02 Mon
- Re: THE QUILT - BRAVO!!!! -- Raphaela, 08:39:52 04/30/02 Tue
  - Permission granted with pleasure....I would be honored! -- Dusty, 21:36:01 04/30/02 Tue
    - Re: Permission granted with pleasure....I would be honored! -- Raphaela, 23:04:29 04/30/02 Tue