SIX MEMORIES
A SHORT STORY BY RICHARD SWAIN
Franklin Towner was born in Cottonwood Falls Kansas in 1916. The most vivid memory that stirs within his heart was the day Gladys came to school as the new student. Yesterday they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. After a quiet candlelit dinner, each shared three special memories. While holding hands in bed that evening, they ended their prayer time with the same four words, “Lord, please no separation.”
THE YELLOW RIBBON
Gladys wanted Franklin to go first because she wanted to be last. The country school had forty-two students from first grade through eighth. Franklin was Student President and led morning assembly with the Pledge of Allegiance. As he walked up the stage steps, the door opened at the side of the room with the principal leading a new student. Franklin’s story never changes, a beautiful smile, glasses resting on the cutest nose, and a yellow ribbon in her hair. Gladys was a year younger and in 7th grade, her family just moved from Abilene. The following Sunday, they first spoke to one another at the church on Oak Street. Eighty-one years later they still attend the same church.
Gladys always blushes when Franklin launches into this story with others. Within her heart she never tires of its retelling, and swells with the knowledge of being loved. Gladys was ready to speak when Franklin raised his index finger to indicate he had more to say. “Your yellow ribbon has always been my lighthouse, the welcome home sign of your love.” He felt a lump in his throat as he spoke of her ribboned hair on their special wedding day, and entering the hospital room and first seeing Sharon, mother and daughter with matching ribbons. Yes, she was wearing one this evening.
A LEADER AND PROTECTOR
Gladys reached across the dinner table and took his hand. “Franklin you have always been a natural leader and a protector of others. I first observed this in the way you stood up to the bullies in school when they would pick on the little kids.” She spoke of his stand on fair prices for the smaller farmers prior to the war, and then she spoke of his war experience. At age 94, Franklin seldom spoke of the war, and few these days would remember the Bronze Star awarded for bravery during the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944. Captured and marched back to Germany, Franklin and his men suffered at the POW camp near Bad Orb. She squeezed his hand and spoke of his bringing each man home safely after the war. The special memory she described was the day twenty years later when five of the guys came to town for a reunion with their “Sarge.”
A MOTHER’S LOVE
Franklin went into the bedroom and returned with a large framed picture. Actually, it was a collection of pictures. Centered at the base of the frame was a gold-colored metal strip that read “Sharon.” Although their daughter died 47 years ago in a Cottonwood River accident, they declared never to hide their love or their pain. They both had their favorites, but since this was Franklin’s turn, he picked three to share. At age four, there was Sharon sitting in Gladys’ lap and reading her favorite story, “The Frog Prince,” to her Mother. Next was Sharon’s first day in eighth grade as she stood on the stage and led the students in the Pledge of Allegiance. The final picture was in the hospital room as Gladys lay on Sharon’s bed stroking her hair as she struggled to recover. While recalling times like this could be hurtful, they both felt a stronger bond of love for taking the risk. After their loss, Gladys sought training to become the nurse assistant at the elementary school. Franklin spoke about the school days. “You cared for these children as if they were your own.” Gladys retired after twenty four years of service.
A GIVING PERSON
After the war, Franklin came home and with help from the GI Bill, earned a teaching certificate. He taught history at the high school and coached the varsity basketball team. Gladys reached into the shoulder bag hanging on her chair and set a scrapbook on the table. Franklin took a deep breath, “I haven’t laid eyes on this for perhaps twenty years, I assumed it was lost.” His wife had marked a page near the middle, opened the book and turned it toward her husband. The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle article was dated March 17,1960. There was the picture of Franklin and his varsity team under the heading “Cottonwood Comets take Kansas State title.” On the opposite page was a number of photos taken of the game, cheering parents, and cheerleaders including Sharon with her ponytail flying up into the air.
Gladys slowly turned the pages and Franklin revisited the personal letters written to their coach and teacher, thanking him for being their mentor and friend. The final pages were pictures and letters from a special student, James Riley. James had a troubled and abusive childhood with an alcoholic father and absent mother. The court approved his foster care and he lived with the Towner family during his high school years and home stays during college. In 1980 James was elected as their representative to Congress.
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN
When Franklin retired from teaching, he sought a hobby that would be fulfilling. He chose sketching with pastel pencils. Taking evening classes at the community college, his talent progressed. One year, his drawing “The Vegetable Garden” was on the cover of the annual county fair guidebook. As much as Gladys enjoyed tending to her vegetable garden, Franklin enjoyed sitting in his chair under the umbrella with sketchbook and easel.
Franklin opened the sketchbook and shared his favorites with Gladys. Although Sharon had passed away prior to his hobby, he would recall their days together in the garden, and drew many pictures of mother and daughter with hands tilling soil, collecting tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce. A special picture was the three of them carrying baskets down to the church on a beautiful summer day. Gladys always enjoyed this sketchbook and each was treasured and well remembered. Franklin turned to his last picture. It was his anniversary present to his wife. Here was Gladys sitting in her favorite reading chair with her knitting. The lamp behind the chair gave a glow to the room. At the bottom of the picture Franklin inscribed “To Gladys, my daily blessing, life partner, and the center of my soul, love Franklin.”
A FADING LIGHT
Gladys had prepared for this moment for months. In her mind she had changed the words, the order of thoughts, the fear of uncontrolled emotions. Franklin steadied himself in his chair, and folded his hands before him on the table. When you live so closely together for seventy-one years, you can often feel the words the other is ready to express. Gladys had become more forgetful over the past two years, often confusing dates or memories. Several months ago she left for the store, and was found hours later sitting in the church social hall. They would talk about this change, and just like life without their daughter, they wanted to plan for this unexpected turn in their life. The medical tests all confirmed a progressive dementia. Franklin would leave notes taped on cupboards or placed on counters with pictures of items. They would take daily walks together. Friends would come by for a visit and often leave a simple meal to be enjoyed later. Gladys had a network of friends who were a great support for Franklin in these recent times.
She pulled his hands over to her side and covered them with her hands. His eyes blurred and he needed to blink several times to clear his vision. “I’m fearful of losing you Franklin” she said softly. “I know you are” he replied, “we won't let that happen, I promise you.” “But Franklin, I have lost you if you become a stranger to me, if our memories are no longer my memories.” She broke down crying and Franklin quickly pulled his chair over to her side and put his arm around her. They stayed quiet for several minutes. Franklin spoke of more times they would have with picture albums, tending the vegetable garden together, and weekly activities at church. He assured her that memories are protected in your heart even when the mind forgets. He said that when the time came, he would be in charge of the memories for the two of them. She felt comfort with this promise.
All their anniversaries were special. But perhaps this one was the best. In bed that evening with the light turned off, they held hands, shared their prayers, and closed with the four words.
RICHARD SWAIN
A SHORT STORY BY RICHARD SWAIN
Franklin Towner was born in Cottonwood Falls Kansas in 1916. The most vivid memory that stirs within his heart was the day Gladys came to school as the new student. Yesterday they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. After a quiet candlelit dinner, each shared three special memories. While holding hands in bed that evening, they ended their prayer time with the same four words, “Lord, please no separation.”
THE YELLOW RIBBON
Gladys wanted Franklin to go first because she wanted to be last. The country school had forty-two students from first grade through eighth. Franklin was Student President and led morning assembly with the Pledge of Allegiance. As he walked up the stage steps, the door opened at the side of the room with the principal leading a new student. Franklin’s story never changes, a beautiful smile, glasses resting on the cutest nose, and a yellow ribbon in her hair. Gladys was a year younger and in 7th grade, her family just moved from Abilene. The following Sunday, they first spoke to one another at the church on Oak Street. Eighty-one years later they still attend the same church.
Gladys always blushes when Franklin launches into this story with others. Within her heart she never tires of its retelling, and swells with the knowledge of being loved. Gladys was ready to speak when Franklin raised his index finger to indicate he had more to say. “Your yellow ribbon has always been my lighthouse, the welcome home sign of your love.” He felt a lump in his throat as he spoke of her ribboned hair on their special wedding day, and entering the hospital room and first seeing Sharon, mother and daughter with matching ribbons. Yes, she was wearing one this evening.
A LEADER AND PROTECTOR
Gladys reached across the dinner table and took his hand. “Franklin you have always been a natural leader and a protector of others. I first observed this in the way you stood up to the bullies in school when they would pick on the little kids.” She spoke of his stand on fair prices for the smaller farmers prior to the war, and then she spoke of his war experience. At age 94, Franklin seldom spoke of the war, and few these days would remember the Bronze Star awarded for bravery during the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944. Captured and marched back to Germany, Franklin and his men suffered at the POW camp near Bad Orb. She squeezed his hand and spoke of his bringing each man home safely after the war. The special memory she described was the day twenty years later when five of the guys came to town for a reunion with their “Sarge.”
A MOTHER’S LOVE
Franklin went into the bedroom and returned with a large framed picture. Actually, it was a collection of pictures. Centered at the base of the frame was a gold-colored metal strip that read “Sharon.” Although their daughter died 47 years ago in a Cottonwood River accident, they declared never to hide their love or their pain. They both had their favorites, but since this was Franklin’s turn, he picked three to share. At age four, there was Sharon sitting in Gladys’ lap and reading her favorite story, “The Frog Prince,” to her Mother. Next was Sharon’s first day in eighth grade as she stood on the stage and led the students in the Pledge of Allegiance. The final picture was in the hospital room as Gladys lay on Sharon’s bed stroking her hair as she struggled to recover. While recalling times like this could be hurtful, they both felt a stronger bond of love for taking the risk. After their loss, Gladys sought training to become the nurse assistant at the elementary school. Franklin spoke about the school days. “You cared for these children as if they were your own.” Gladys retired after twenty four years of service.
A GIVING PERSON
After the war, Franklin came home and with help from the GI Bill, earned a teaching certificate. He taught history at the high school and coached the varsity basketball team. Gladys reached into the shoulder bag hanging on her chair and set a scrapbook on the table. Franklin took a deep breath, “I haven’t laid eyes on this for perhaps twenty years, I assumed it was lost.” His wife had marked a page near the middle, opened the book and turned it toward her husband. The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle article was dated March 17,1960. There was the picture of Franklin and his varsity team under the heading “Cottonwood Comets take Kansas State title.” On the opposite page was a number of photos taken of the game, cheering parents, and cheerleaders including Sharon with her ponytail flying up into the air.
Gladys slowly turned the pages and Franklin revisited the personal letters written to their coach and teacher, thanking him for being their mentor and friend. The final pages were pictures and letters from a special student, James Riley. James had a troubled and abusive childhood with an alcoholic father and absent mother. The court approved his foster care and he lived with the Towner family during his high school years and home stays during college. In 1980 James was elected as their representative to Congress.
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN
When Franklin retired from teaching, he sought a hobby that would be fulfilling. He chose sketching with pastel pencils. Taking evening classes at the community college, his talent progressed. One year, his drawing “The Vegetable Garden” was on the cover of the annual county fair guidebook. As much as Gladys enjoyed tending to her vegetable garden, Franklin enjoyed sitting in his chair under the umbrella with sketchbook and easel.
Franklin opened the sketchbook and shared his favorites with Gladys. Although Sharon had passed away prior to his hobby, he would recall their days together in the garden, and drew many pictures of mother and daughter with hands tilling soil, collecting tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce. A special picture was the three of them carrying baskets down to the church on a beautiful summer day. Gladys always enjoyed this sketchbook and each was treasured and well remembered. Franklin turned to his last picture. It was his anniversary present to his wife. Here was Gladys sitting in her favorite reading chair with her knitting. The lamp behind the chair gave a glow to the room. At the bottom of the picture Franklin inscribed “To Gladys, my daily blessing, life partner, and the center of my soul, love Franklin.”
A FADING LIGHT
Gladys had prepared for this moment for months. In her mind she had changed the words, the order of thoughts, the fear of uncontrolled emotions. Franklin steadied himself in his chair, and folded his hands before him on the table. When you live so closely together for seventy-one years, you can often feel the words the other is ready to express. Gladys had become more forgetful over the past two years, often confusing dates or memories. Several months ago she left for the store, and was found hours later sitting in the church social hall. They would talk about this change, and just like life without their daughter, they wanted to plan for this unexpected turn in their life. The medical tests all confirmed a progressive dementia. Franklin would leave notes taped on cupboards or placed on counters with pictures of items. They would take daily walks together. Friends would come by for a visit and often leave a simple meal to be enjoyed later. Gladys had a network of friends who were a great support for Franklin in these recent times.
She pulled his hands over to her side and covered them with her hands. His eyes blurred and he needed to blink several times to clear his vision. “I’m fearful of losing you Franklin” she said softly. “I know you are” he replied, “we won't let that happen, I promise you.” “But Franklin, I have lost you if you become a stranger to me, if our memories are no longer my memories.” She broke down crying and Franklin quickly pulled his chair over to her side and put his arm around her. They stayed quiet for several minutes. Franklin spoke of more times they would have with picture albums, tending the vegetable garden together, and weekly activities at church. He assured her that memories are protected in your heart even when the mind forgets. He said that when the time came, he would be in charge of the memories for the two of them. She felt comfort with this promise.
All their anniversaries were special. But perhaps this one was the best. In bed that evening with the light turned off, they held hands, shared their prayers, and closed with the four words.
RICHARD SWAIN