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A quote: “Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine!” ~~ Thomas Hood
I’ll start with a story …
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It was after dinner that I looked up to see my son leaning against the doorframe of my woodshop, watching but distracted.
“What’s up son?”
“I dunno, I mean … dad … I’m just… there’s this girl …” He both blushed and looked tortured.
Uh oh. My wife was right. Darn. I remember. 14 is a very cruel age.
She talked to him, he helped her with history, she helped him in English. How did he let her know he wanted more? Flowers? Candy? What?
“What’s her passion, son? Find out something she’d love to do but hasn’t that you could share with her.”
He looked blank, then his eyes lit up. He grabbed a piece of wood from my scrap box, grinning at me.
Later I saw him out in the paddock teaching a red-haired girl how to ride. A couple of months after that, they would head out on the horses, picnic basket packed.
Years later we celebrated, as they took their vows and cut the cake with the little carved horse on top.
Now I look up to see my grandson leaning on the doorframe of my woodshop.
Hope his carving skills are up to the task.
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Now, it’s your turn.
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. featured image, cropped, Adobe Stock standard license.
GWB says: Excellent story, Darleen.
The little wooden horse wasn’t as clearly carved as it must have been all those years ago. More than a century of hands lovingly rubbing it will take its toll. But it’s still clear enough to be the horse some number of greats carved so long ago. It was handed down from each mother to her first born son. Then given by that son to his intended. Some had walked away when offered a little wooden carving of no great monetary value, instead of a diamond ring. Those young men were fortunate, and learned a lesson in judging people. It twice was given to the second son when the first born died in battle before producing an heir.
The young woman held it to her breast, believing she could feel the love invested in it through the years. Now it would be hers to give to the son she carried, to give to the woman he found to love. And she wept for joy as the sun rose on this new place, full of danger and discovery, threatening yet full of promise.
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