Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

God's Acre

8/14/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Swept away by angels on a Heavenly flight..."

We walked through the dense woods down an old, paved road, Hunter skipping along beside us. The woods gave way to a vibrant green open area...God's Acre in Historic Bethabra. According to Scott's father, we were looking for an unmarked plot outside of the fence line near a tree. This was the place where little William Robert Aldrich was buried and where his mama, Aunt Barbara, his dad, Uncle Bill, and his brother David's ashes would be spread. I couldn't stop thinking that their sweet baby boy should have some sort of marker to show his life...and passing. I wasn't the only one thinking along those lines, as Scott and Yvette quietly discussed making sure he got one soon. I didn't know where my feet were taking me as we made our way through the flat gravestones, but I got to the end of the row and there it was, a stone for the baby lost to this world from Scarlett Fever when he was merely twelve days old. "He's here," I called out to them and stood with them as we read the names carved into the small stone. Where the marker came from is a mystery, but Yvette said, "I feel so much better." "Me, too," I added, "...but without the 'better' part. I just feel so much." I knelt there, remembering all of those I have loved and lost, some of those loses recent and painful. I sobbed because I was grateful someone took the time and care to mark baby William "Billy's" grave. I was glad he was not alone in the woods on the other side of the fence, instead being moved to nestle among the other boy babies who were also lost to those who loved them. We made our plans to return with the ashes later in the evening, and before we left I whispered, "I'll bring flowers when I come back, baby."

As the sun set hours later behind the trees, and a band concert played off in the distance, our small party went to fulfill Scott and Yvette's promise to his parents and lay to rest the members of the Aldrich family who have gone on to the next life. We made etching in colored pencils and Carolina clay of the stone and I read little "Billy" a bedtime story. No eloquent words were spoken, but then none were needed. The promise had been accomplished with great love and sincere devotion. Sleep in peace, Aldrich family.

Picture
Image @ bio.bandeis.edu
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery