somehow, they knew. All the puzzle pieces came together. Edith baked a cake and Edward placed it on the dining table of the old house. He noticed a stillness; the house was a little quiet, but not lonely nor did the solemn walls revive memories of the losses encountered in a previous time. He sensed an aura of peace.
Life together fell into a natural flow seemingly effortless with a fluid grace. They bicycled to and from work and shared a bag lunch always with an apple from the orchard and a walk through the woods. After work, they had a shower and a nap then supper. Kenneth shopped, cleaned, and did laundry. Kenneth assisted his father with farm chores.
Thelma attended art classes three nights a week. Kenneth would say, “Thelma’s art is as much a part of her as her smile. Her eyes take in more details than the average person.”
Yes, Thelma saw the world as a beautiful array of colors and shapes.
She decorated their walls with her beautiful flower art. The flowers were white, and the yellow nectar looked sweet. The petals fanned widely over the canvas.
One day Edith said, “Sometimes when I pass Thelma’s flower art, I think I detect a fragrance.”
Saturday Thelma would set up her easel on one corner of the wonderland. Strolling shoppers stopped and marveled at her work with an occasional purchase, bringing a smile to both their faces. Kenneth was proud of Thelma and her creative abilities.
They found their routine comfortable until one morning Thelma discovered a disturbance.
Adjustments
At breakfast Thelma could not eat and was not moving at her usual pace. Kenneth showed his concern, “What’s going on with my honey?”
“I must have a touch of the flu just a little tired and achy. It is 'flu season' again. There are several employees taking sick leave,” casting off her symptoms.
Her day did not run smoothly. She was nauseous, dizzy, queasy, and liable to vomit at the slightest provocation. She concluded that this was not the nasty flu caused by a virus that upsets your respiratory system, affecting your airways: nose, throat, lungs. This was more like the stomach flu, showing up in your gastrointestinal system.
This “flu” rumbled her tummy. She tried to ignore it and move on. It would be over in a few days. After a few days, she wondered why I feel so bad. This was worse than gastric flu. It was constant stomach flu. Exhaustion took over. Getting out of bed in the morning and showing up for work took everything out of her. It was difficult to function.
Thelma was pregnant with their first child. The doctor told her at 13 weeks she would feel better. That felt so far away to be miserable. No-one warned her it could last for five months.
She quit her art lessons. The wonderland smelled disgusting, and any scent set her off so; she stopped painting on the corner every Saturday for sales and the pleasure of shoppers.
Her stomach swelled and her limbs lost muscle tone. Her face became gaunt, robbed of its usual rosy glow. She despised eating and mostly survived on ginger ale and crackers. The doctor told her, “Don’t worry. Babies take what they need.”
“I want this baby out of me and into my arms. I hate the waiting. I feel trapped. I want to zoom to winter, to early next year and to the birth,” confiding in Kenneth. He held her close.
The morning Timothy came into the world, the sun was shining. At first sight Thelma and Kenneth felt their new baby boy, cute and tiny, was very much like the sun, bringing warmth and rays of happiness into their lives.
Kenneth presented Thelma with a rosebud, “Thelma, our baby is a fresh new beautiful flower. As we shower him with love and care, he will bloom into something beyond our imagination.”
They hugged and cried happy tears, knowing this birth signaled a new beginning and a future full of promise.
Cradling her newborn in her arms, Thelma with Kenneth at her side examined every tiny finger and toe and listened for his soft coos, thinking he was the most precious thing in the world.
As she rocked him, “Little one I have little to give you, but what I can give you is my unconditional love, plenty of hugs and kisses, and a happy home.”
Those were the words she longed for her mother to say but she got a Ford Taurus. She paused and continued her thoughts Mom I appreciate the Ford Taurus. It is a good car. Thank you. Wish you well.
It was easy for Grandma Edie and Grandpa Eddie to fawn over little Timothy. He was their first grandchild, and he was a boy. They had two boys of their own and felt they understood boys. Silently and with sadness they remembered you cannot always protect them from harm.
Edie looking with adoration, “This baby is a gift. Little Timothy signifies a new beginning, a chance to make the world a better place.”
“And Timothy came to us with no baggage and without a care in the world,” Eddie claimed. Everyone smiled and nodded.
Everyone marveled at the miracle of life, a gift with feelings of hope and excitement for what the future might bring.
When Timothy’s finger curled around Grandma Edie’s pinky, they settled it. Grandma Edie would care for the little one while Thelma and Kenneth returned to their regular work routines.
Saturday came and Thelma returned to the corner, displaying her art, creating new pieces, and showing off her newborn nestled nearby. Timothy, the tiny one, melted hearts. He touched Saturday shoppers with love.
With Kenneth’s help Thelma focused on rescheduling a series of art lessons. Timothy bonded with Grandma Edie and his dad, Kenneth.
“Thelma, I’ve never seen my mom as happy as she is now since becoming a grandma. Timmy, her first grandbaby changed her life for the better.” Those were Kenneth’s remarks as Thelma was ready to drop off Timothy to Grandma Edie before work.
Grandma Edie gave an extra boost to the couple, caring for Timmy, assisting with everyday chores and plenty of general emotional support.
One evening when Kenneth picked up Timmy, his mom with pride said, “Having this baby in my life is my reward for raising you. He has changed my life and the life of your dad for the better. Thank you.” She reached and hugged her son for the first time in a long while.
Kenneth thought I feel something magical about the relationship between grandparents and a grandchild.
“Mom, he truly is a joy. I love you and thank you for taking care of us. Your help benefits us immensely.” Kenneth wrapped Timmy in his arms and headed home.
Each evening while Thelma was having an art lesson, Kenneth mirrored Timmy’s movements, mimicked his cooing and other vocalizations, gave him a bath, read, and sang to him before bed.
Thelma quickly realized what a good caring father Kenneth was. She noticed how little Timmy tried to imitate his dad’s facial expressions and gestures and how he followed moving objects with his eyes.
When she made eye-to-eye contact with her little boy and observed his smile, she suddenly sensed an explosion of love and joy. We are connecting a bond is forming.
Thelma missed a monthly menstrual period. Her breasts became tender, and she had an unexplained tiredness. When the smell of
