The Radiance Of Marigolds

The little girl stood quietly with the other adults. No one smiled and no one seemed to notice the clear blue afternoon sky, nor did they smell the salt water from the nearby ocean.

Some cried. The ladies wiped their nose with dainty, white hankies. The men wore stoic, serious expression to mask their pain.

After what seemed like an eternity it was time to go. She felt someone gently put their arm around her leading her away from the clear blue skies, the refreshing smell of the salty sea and from the sadness that hovered in the air.

The drive home was a blur. She starred out the window watching while other people carried on with their daily routine. Her heart was temporarily blinded as the numbness in her chest was too much to bear.

She thought about her happy young life. She thought about her family and friends. How strange she thought to herself. In an instant it was all taken away.

The black sedan pulled up in front of her house. She recognized the house number, 4420, and the mahogany door her dad built. Once again, a kind gentlemen opened the door for her as she stepped out onto the curbside grass. She thought he said something to her, but she wasn’t sure. She dragged her legs across the lawn, heavy with weight, and forced herself to climb the porch steps. It was if a giant fog had swallowed her whole. She imagined herself forever wandering in its cold mist.

Upon entering the house, she immediately noticed the scent she loved so much wasn’t there anymore. People began showing up with solemn looks on there faces. They politely smiled at her as they passed her by, but the little girl didn’t know who they were. And she didn’t care.

Some kissed her forehead and whispered words of comfort she still couldn’t hear. She knew they meant well but right now; their words were meaningless.

She was in no mood to smile and be polite to guests as she was dutifully taught, the little girl wanted to run. She wanted to hide from the horrible pain.

She ran into her father’s study and hid in a corner behind his easy chair. No one would find her there! She was safe but not from the awful pain in her heart which catapulted her into mournful sobs. Why was life so cruel? Why did people she loved have to go away?

As she sat contemplating these questions, from where she sat on the floor, she could just barely see the over windowsill and outside into the garden.

She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her dress, sat up straight while resting on her knees. As she looked out the glass window there was a beautiful orange and red monarch butterfly. It was huge!

She pushed her nose up to the glass. They both hovered there a few seconds before she heard her father calling her. She didn’t want to leave the butterfly. She found comfort in something so beautiful and alive, but she knew she must answer her father. Quickly, she jumped up and ran to find him in the kitchen.

“Honey,” bending down to her height, in a worried tone he asked, “Where were you?”

“I was in the study daddy talking to the butterfly”

“What? Okay, that’s nice”, taking hold of her forearm, “Come join us in the living room your Aunts and Uncles want to see you.” Before she could answer she was standing directly in front of Aunt Lily who she never met before in her life.

The little girl obediently followed her father as they went around the room making introductions. Hugs, kisses, painful pinches on her cheeks were administered. Her duty performed she promptly returned to the kitchen and sat down on one of the wooden chairs.

She looked around. The heart of her home. The hearth fire where the cooking was done, the long wooden table to accommodate her parents, brothers and sisters. Her family usually gathered around mealtime for singing, storytelling and daddy always played his violin. The aromas from the hearth were amazing!

Then she looked towards the center of the table. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing! Marigolds! It was a crystal vase filled with Marigolds! The yellow and orange hues seemed to radiate the brightest light from each delicate petal. How wonderful someone thought to brighten up the house. They must have also known; they were her mother’s favorite flowers.