Tuesday, 08 April 2008
Marcia
By Grannymar of Grannymar blog
As Marcia approached her 40th birthday, she decided that it was time to make some changes. After all “Life begins at 40” or so the saying went.
Since her mother died she had lived alone in the family home. Her siblings were all married and she had plenty of young nieces and nephews to visit and play with whenever she felt like it. Offers to “baby-sit” were gratefully accepted.
Having finished her chores for the day, she poured a drink and pulled the armchair a little closer to the fire. As she mused over the possible changes she might make, the phone rang. It was Lucy.
Marcia and Lucy had travelled through most of their lives together since that first day at school where they were put sitting side by side. They first shared pencils then books and games, later it was sleepovers during holidays, chatting for hours about their hopes and dreams.
Marcia watched as Lucy met her sweetheart and fell in love. Mark was a fine, tall, handsome, young man and soon he and Lucy had set the date for their wedding. Marcia never hesitated when she was asked to be bridesmaid and was helpful and efficient in everything she did. That was twelve years earlier and somehow love with that special person had eluded her.
Lucy sounded rather excited on the phone. They talked for ten minutes and then hung up. Marcia pondered over the conversation. Lucy had called to say that one of the girls in the office was leaving and that her boss was looking for someone to take over the position at short notice. Lucy had recommended Marcia and promised to call her. Now she was setting up an interview.
The interview went well and Marcia decided to make this the first step on the road to change. She was working directly with John and they made a good team. After a couple of weeks she realised that she looked forward to going to the office.
John showed appreciation for all her endeavours. He invited her for dinner and she accepted. The talked easily together and she learned that John was a widower with five children. His wife had died with the birth of the last child. He was bringing them up with the help of family.
Time passed and the working relationship turned first to friendship and then to love. Marcia met the children and slowly they began to welcome her. John asked the all-important question and Marcia said yes!
The children were involved in all the preparations and looked forward to the wedding. Marcia and John were married with family and friends gathered to celebrate. The children stayed with grandparents while John took his new wife on honeymoon.
That night, Marcia's dreams were shattered. John had a heart attack at the dinner table and died. Marcia, so soon a widow, had to break the news to the children and all the family.
The children were bewildered and blamed her for the death of their father. They gave her a very hard time over the next few years. Many times she felt like walking away, at one point she even packed her bags, but she didn't leave. She stuck it out, slowly the grief eased and one by one the children grew closer to her. As they grew older, they realised the sacrifice she had made for them, a sacrifice borne from true love.
[If you would like to contribute to The Elder Storytelling Place, the guidelines are here. We would all be pleased to read your stories.]
Posted by Ronni Bennett at 05:30 AM | Permalink | Email this post
Comments
What a wonderful person Marcia was, Grannymar, and how tragic that John died so suddenly- even before the children had enough time to know and love her.
At least it's nice that Marcia's story has a happy ending...
Well told, GM.
Posted by: Nancy on Apr 8, 2008 8:48:29 AM
I hope that Marcia found another love later in life but, if not, her sacrifice was undoubtedly rewarded by the children as they matured and were able to face reality. I'm sure they love her still and, although not a romantic love, their love must be a treasure to hold.
Posted by: Darlene on Apr 8, 2008 10:45:14 AM
Nancy, it certainly was not an easy journey for her.
Darlene I lost touch and when last i heard she was still alone. The children would all be adults now and perhaps with families of their own.
Posted by: Grannymar on Apr 8, 2008 12:10:01 PM
Grannymar, how strange is the workings of the gods, don't you think? There was this brief moment of love and friendship and then it all vanished so quickly. I cannot see why anyone, especially Darlene, should be held responsible or blamed for John's death. Very odd. The fact that she stayed and raised these children speaks strongly for Darlene's charitable soul. Bet she got some golden stars waiting for her (an expression my mother).
Posted by: lilalia on Apr 8, 2008 2:24:13 PM
So heartbreaking.
Posted by: Mage Bailey on Apr 8, 2008 5:15:36 PM
An amazing woman, and how lucky for those children it was that their dad found her.
Posted by: kenju on Apr 8, 2008 5:33:09 PM
I tried about 10 years ago to find Marcia but she had moved from the house and area. Hopefully now she is playing a central role as grandmother
Posted by: Grannymar on Apr 9, 2008 6:10:59 AM
