For The Love Of Marigolds

The rich black earth filtered through his fingers as he spread it around the marigolds. They were Aurelia’s favorite flower. Nate had planted marigolds in the flower beds every fall since they had married. He looked at the flowers with the ruffled petals, the yellows and oranges looking like the beautiful sunsets she always dragged him out of the house to see. She told him that marigolds reminded her of the sun and filled her with joy.

Aurelia loved the fall, the color of the leaves, the crispness of the air, the smell of apples and cinnamon. She loved wearing cozy sweaters and boots, and she enjoyed the cold rains and chilly nights after the heat of the summer. Then there were the county fairs and fall festivals. And the holidays. She went all out decorating for Halloween, making candy apples for the neighborhood kids, organizing parties, and dressing up to hand out treats. Thanksgiving also held a special meaning to her. It meant time spent with family, laughing and eating. She loved the turkey, with the golden-brown skin, nearly exploding with stuffing and the mashed potatoes and gravy. And all of the other sides, including that green bean casserole with the french fried onions that Nate tolerated for the holidays, but her family seemed to love. His favorite part of Thanksgiving was the pumpkin pie topped with copious amounts of whipped cream, but he had always had a sweet tooth.

Aurelia spent hours in the kitchen throughout the fall baking all of Nate’s favorite treats. She would fill the pantry with jams and jellies as well as canning all sorts of freshly canned vegetables. The house always smelled like pumpkin bread and apple pies. After dinner, they would sit by the fire, sipping hot apple cider eating whatever delicious item she had made. Fall evenings were some of the happiest times of his life because of her absolute joy. She was indeed one of the most loving people he had ever met.

They had met at a harvest festival. Nate remembered how she looked when he had first seen her. She had been laughing as her little brother tried to climb the Jacob’s ladder, clinging on for dear life as it flipped over on him. Aurelia had shouted with encouragement as he continued to climb upside down like a monkey to ring the bell triumphantly. Her mahogany hair shone in the sunlight, just a few shades lighter than her sweater. She wore a white turtleneck and a brown corduroy skirt with long brown boots. They would joke that this style was her fall uniform. She had smiled brightly at him when she turned to find him staring at her open-mouthed. He was a city boy but had moved to the area for college. His friends had talked him into going to the harvest festival. At first, he had thought it would be dull and full of country folk. After seeing her, he was glad he had come. They spent the rest of the evening walking around the festival, drinking cider, and eating donuts. They had gotten married a few years later when he graduated from college. He never regretted not going back to the city.

Nate poured water on the flowers then groaned as he got up to inspect his handiwork. His knees and back weren’t happy with him kneeling on the ground. He should give this job to one of the kids or grandkids, but he wasn’t quite ready to give it up. He wiped his hands on his pants, knowing she would scold him for it. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped off the stone. It had been over a year it but felt like it was just yesterday. Nate kissed his fingers then tapped them on the marker. “I’ll see you again soon, my love.”