Historical Setting, 562 C.E. Gaul
Blue sky, the bright of winter, syrup colors fuse surreal and today Colleta and Ezra returned from their journey bringing all varieties of news. Celeste leads Daniel in a welcome of shouts and cheers and tears and grabs as lean and lusty as a camel at first oasis. Little Margey lets go of her ever-curious watches and turns babe in arms as she finds the welcoming breast of her mother.
My report, “Everything is well here, peaceful, waiting for your return. The storm brought down a bit of thatch but there was straw enough for the fix, and Eve chased the water from the cottages along with some old summer’s sands. So you might have noticed things are clean and ready for your return.”
Ezra’s report is abundant. “The young father, turns out, is Colleta’s own cousin Jesse. He was so grateful Colleta came and saved the baby from death or worse.”
Colleta clarified, “He said he feared the snares of sin since the child was not birthed Christian. He said our own family had all gone to the church for the Christ Mass so he could find no one to help.” Eve pressed her lips straight and silent.
Ezra continued, “He didn’t want to send a messenger to inform his wife’s family, so we just buried her with a short prayer as we have done so often in these times.”
“She was so alone.” Eve whispered.
Dear God, please hold my own child close so she can feel your breath and know she is not also so alone…
“So after the burial” Ezra continued, “I went and informed Colleta’s family, and they gathered with Jesse and the baby. Colleta was also blessed to be with her sisters again for two overnights.”
“Celeste, Daniel,” Colleta announces, “Your grandfather sends his love, and your grandmother sends you a basket of biscuits!”
How could they not notice that this grandfather who is right here also loves them? And they have surely found no dearth of biscuits at this hearth.
Dear God, help me loose the snag in my own jealous heart. Amen.
(continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 