Forever in Our Hearts

Upset from the news of yet another death of a loved one from COVID, Luna knew she needed to take solace in the woods behind her house. She grew up in these woods, so she knew exactly where she needed to go to be alone.

“Mom, I’ll be back later. I’m going for a walk. I honestly just need some fresh air after all of this bad news.”

“You don’t want me to come? I am worried about you. You shouldn’t be alone right now. This is a lot to handle and process,” replied Luna’s mom.

“No,” Luna responded sharply.

“Okay, Lulu,” her mom said looking concerned. She quickly suggested, “At least take this sketchbook. Maybe you can write how you are feeling? I heard that can help!”

Sighing, Luna took the book, stuck a pencil in her pocket, and left.

After a long walk, she found herself sitting on a flat edged rock along the stream. She’d come here to watch little leaves flow down the stream and spot little mice in the root filled edges of the eroded walls containing the almost drained stream. For some reason, watching the movement of these small intricacies made her feel at peace.

Luna promised her mom that she would at least try to write in the little black book.

So, she looked down, gave a sigh, and began to open it. Running her fingers along the smooth inky-black cover, Luna came to find that the ivory-colored pages also gave her a feeling of peace.

The blank pages were now a canvas that she can transfer her sorrow to.

Luna thought out loud, “Maybe I can draw everyone I’ve lost so I won’t forget what I loved most about them!”

Feeling a large sense of relief, Luna began drawing each lost loved one carefully.

She drew things that they loved and things that reminded her of them. She found great pleasure in picturing them and what they liked. She even began to visualize them with her, sitting alongside her, while she drew.

Day after day, Luna returned to her spot by the stream to immortalize those she lost. They soon became a permanent part of her book and of the woods.

Uncle Tristan was the first one to be drawn.

He was a retired police officer who she drew in his uniform with his badge in hand. She’d first sketch his profile. Then she’d sketch him helping people and doing things that he loved which included playing with his beloved German Sheppard. He’d come to life from her drawings and therefore came to life with her in the woods. He would walk along with her, protecting her, and making sure she was safe. She later found that he would patrol the woods when she wasn’t there, making sure anyone who had adventured into the trails were safe.

Nora was the next to be drawn.

Nora was Luna’s best friend’s mom. She had practically grown up with her; she was like a second mom to Luna. Luna and her best friend, Sam, were shattered when they received the news that Sam’s mom did not make it. So, Luna began to draw her second mom in hopes that she would never be forgotten. She started with her profile and then moved on to portraits of her and Sam, surrounded by bunches of daisies (Nora’s favorite flowers).

As Luna kept drawing, she noticed that Nora too came to life in the woods. Luna would find her sitting in fields of flowers laughing and gossiping with the birds. She was happy and alive in spirit.

Lastly, Luna drew Phil.

Phil was a friend of her family. He was good friends with Luna’s mom and therefore became a part of Luna’s life. He would always tell stories of how he loved to run as a kid. He would brag about the loads of medals that he had won throughout the years. So, Luna began by drawing his portrait, just as she had when she started drawing the others. She continued to draw him as he looked when he was younger with medals around his neck. She brought his younger self back to life to be there with her in the woods and run with whatever animal he deemed a worthy opponent.

The black sketchbook and the woods worked together to create something amazing… Something that could have not been done without the combination of the two. They created a world in which those who have passed on could live happily in spirit. They were created in this book, on its pages, and with its help, came to life in the woods. This little black book turned out to be more than just blank pages… It turned out to be a beacon of hope and a memorial of those lost.

One day while Luna was adding to her drawings, she got a call from her mom:

“Lulu, you have to come home. Your grandma needs to be admitted to the hospital.”

Overwhelmed with panic, Luna got up and started to run home. Phil and the others ran along with her, they comforted her every step of the way.

In her haste, she left the book by the stream.

A few hours later, a man stumbled upon the book. Intrigued by its used appearance, he picked it up and began to read. Overcome with emotion, he decided to make it his mission to return this mysterious black book to its owner.

He saw such beauty in the drawings, that he desired to share them with the world. He struck a deal with a local art gallery; they would portray the drawings, page by page, story by story, and any proceeds would go to the artist… If she were to come forward.

Luna immediately recognized her illustrations in the advertisements for the gallery.

Upon entering the gallery, Luna asked to speak with the owner. She questioned where the artwork came from.

The gallery owner replied excitedly, “Someone dropped a sketchbook off hoping that the artist would step forward once the art was displayed. Aren’t they beautiful?”

“Yes” responded Luna.

“But wait, how would you know? You haven’t even walked around to look at them?” answered the owner. After a moment, a surge of understanding became apparent and he said, “You are the artist?”

Luna said once again, “Yes.”

“That’s fantastic! You wouldn’t believe how much the gallery has made from these sketches. However, per the agreement with the man who submitted the sketchbook, all proceeds go to you.”

Surprised, Luna asked, “How much?”

He replied, “$20,000. Not just from admission, but from copies sold of your work. The audience was very impacted by the drawings and were compelled to buy.”

Contemplating what she should do with this large sum of money that just basically fell into her lap, she finally decided; “I would like to donate the proceeds to COVID-19 relief efforts. To all of the families effected, just like the families of those depicted in my drawings.”

Amazed by this decision, the owner wrote her a check and was overwhelmed by gratitude; For he knew what good this money would do for the affected community.

The ones who were lost due to this horrible pandemic will never be forgotten. Their memories will not only last forever on the pages we transcribe but forever in our hearts as well.