Shannon here: Pat Jeanne Davis shares a day when her husband went above and beyond for her. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an e-book of her Historical Romance, When Valleys Bloom Again. Deadline: Feb 22nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Pat:
Seeing With My Heart by Pat Jeanne Davis
Tomorrow would be John and my twentieth wedding anniversary, and it looked like there would be no celebration. We were spending three weeks with John’s family and friends in England and they included me in everything. But today was to be an outing in the park with our two boys.
However, John had left me there with Josh and Johnny and I was feeling neglected. I paused to watch large white clouds move across a bright blue sky, irritated that I couldn’t share the beautiful scenery with my husband. In three days we would return home.
My sons and I stopped by a stream and watched the ducks glide by. A marching band played nearby.
Josh, my youngest, held up a camera. “Mom, take my picture.”
I took off my glasses and dropped them into my bag. “Hold this while I get the camera set,” I said. “And stand over there.” I pointed to the bandstand where red, white, and pink flowers in large baskets hung along the side.
Josh began to swing my bag round and round. “Stop that,” I said, and turned to make sure Johnny was nearby. The camera was ready, and I looked around for background that would make good memories later on. Then, I took my bag, draped it over my arm and snapped several pictures.
Soon, I began to worry about John and decided we needed to return to the parking lot. There stood my husband beside the rental car.
“Where have you been?”
He grinned. “Around.”
Could he not even give an explanation? Had he not wanted to spend today with me? With our boys?
When the car began to move, I reached into my purse for my glasses and put them on. Now I was getting a headache and my vision was blurred. I rested my head on the back of the car seat and closed my eyes.
My son touched my shoulder. “Hey, Mom, you’ve lost the lens in your frame.”
I opened my eyes, only momentarily relieved. “What’ll I do without my glasses?”
He spoke reluctantly. “They fell out, but I put them back in your bag.”
“Oh, Joshua! You shouldn’t have swung my bag.”
“Sorry,” he said softly.
As soon as he could, John turned the car around. “We’ve got to go back to the spot where you stood.”
Back and forth, again and again, the four of us searched the grass, the shrubs, and the banks of the stream for the
missing lens. The setting sun sent shadows across the grass. Soon, the sun began to set. “It no use,” I said. “I’ll replace my glasses when we get back home.”
My husband got down on all fours to look again. “Just one more swipe around,” he promised.
I began to see my husband with my heart and less with my eyes. I stooped down beside him. “You’ve done enough. Please, let’s go.”
“This is so embarrassing,” Johnny said, ducking his head as a group of young boys walked by and looked our way.
“I’ll never do that,” Josh said.
John got up, hands and knees dirty. “Don’t count on that.” He winked at me. “That’s what love is all about, son.”
***
The next day John surprised me by announcing he’d arranged for his mother to watch our boys so we could celebrate our special day. “Where are you taking me? I asked as we left the house.
“Just wait and see.”
Later, I turned to him in the car. “This road seems so familiar.”
“How would you know that since you say you can’t see anything without your glasses,” he teased.
So I closed my eyes and listened to the CD’s we’d brought along.
Then John parked the car and faced me. “I picked these up while you were taking all those pictures with the boys.” I could hear the love in his voice and see the light in my husband’s eyes.
He held out two tickets to my favorite musical at the Theatre in the Park―the same park we’d visited yesterday. My heart skipped a beat.
He placed them on my lap. “Only pair of tickets left for the last show.” Then he took my hand and placed my glasses in it, intact. “I came back here with my flashlight last night. You should be able to see the stage clearly now.”
My eyes pricked with tears. “But where did you find the lens?”
“Not far from the stream.” He leaned over and kissed me. “Happy anniversary, sweetheart.”
“It couldn’t be a better one. Happy anniversary, hon,” I said, aware that I needed to appreciate my husband more for all his wonderful expressions of love every day. Now, that’s something to celebrate.
This true short story appears in Romantic Moments: Stories of Those Special Feelings, Romantic Relationships, and True Love (Divine Moments) Paperback – January 12, 2020
About Pat: PAT JEANNE DAVIS lives in Philadelphia, Pa with her British-born husband, John. They have two grown sons. She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and traveling with her husband. Pat has published essays, short stories and articles online and in print. She has a keen interest in twentieth-century American and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Pat’s father-in-law served in the British Eighth Army during the war. When Valleys Bloom Again is her debut historical inspirational romance set in that era. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. Pat loves to hear from her readers. Learn more & connect:
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About the book – When Valleys Bloom Again:
A Wartime Romance Set On Two Continents
As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.
Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?
Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?
Can’t wait for the drawing or worried you won’t win? Get your copy now!
When Valleys Bloom Again – Amazon When Valleys Bloom Again – BarnesandNoble
Question for Readers: What simple gesture by someone you love has made your day?
Come back Feb 18th for Brenda S. Anderson!
home-cooked meal
Thank you for visiting here, bn. I appreciate and enjoy it so much when our son cooks a meal for us on a Sunday. Your in the drawing for an e-copy of When Valleys Bloom Again.
My daughter wrote me a poem and framed it with rose petals.
Thank you, Sheila, for stopping by and leaving your comment. That was such a thoughtful and unique expression of love from your daughter. God bless you. You’re in the drawing for When Valleys Bloom Again.
How lovely! So romantic … beautiful true story xx
Thank you for leaving your comment, Laura. You’re in the drawing for my inspirational historical romance. God bless.
My husband use to fix breakfast for me and bring it to my bed oh how I miss those days I love your story Pat it is so wonderful to have a partner like that! please enter me in this amazing giveaway!
Hello, Sarah – thank you for commenting. My hubby is one of God’s special blessings in my life. I’m truly thankful. You’re in the drawing for a copy of When Valleys Bloom Again.
I have a winner! Laura W. won this drawing. I appreciate Pat for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.