Our Special Place

We stood together side-by-side. The golden sun was lowering itself carefully out of sight. I wish it wouldn't. I want to stay here forever.

The gentle sway of the summer breeze tossed a few strands of my wine colored hair into my face. Softly, oh so softly, he removed the hair from my eyes so that I could see the setting sun. Butterflies suddenly came alive in the pit of my stomach.

My little puppy was somewhere behind us. I could hear the tiny Jack Russel barking behind us as he chased the little blue bird who was among the wild flowers.

In front of us was a lake. It could have been a mirror if not for the soft waves that was caused by the breeze. It made the sun move slightly, increasing its beauty.

The sky was a soft orange. The sky further away from the sun was turning a gorgeous blue. If I looked closely enough I could see the stars.

He placed his hand on my stomach when the sun set and I leaned into him. I knew that I was starting to show my pregnancy and how happy it made him.

I sat on the grass as the sun set. Poppy – my puppy – was being chased around by Jake – my two year old sun. I turned at the sound of an engine and my husband stepped out of the truck and made his way towards us.

On the was to me he picked up Jake – saving Poppy form his torment. Together was sat and watched the sun. Even Poppy came from under the wild flowers in favor of my lap for the sight.

I walked up to the lake and sat down. After a minute Jack – now eight – came over to me. With a black eye...

My fist clenched with anger at the sight. But instead of speaking I lifted my arm and he cuddled into me. We stayed until the sun set.

Jack – now twelve – clutched my hand as we buried her. Poppy had been ill for a very long time and we couldn't let her suffer anymore. Nor could the vet.

We buried her among the wild flowers.

I pulled up at the lake. I felt sick. I wiped the tears away from my face before getting out.

"Mum?" Jake – now sixteen – run up to meet me. He took one look at me before pulling me into his arms. "What's wrong?"

I pulled back. "It's your dad."

I was throwing stones into the lake when Jack drove up. He was now twenty one and in university. He was here for school break.

Getting up I ran to him and my feet left the ground as he pulled me into a hug. Setting me down we wandered down the the lake.

It had lost some of it beauty over the years but it was still amazing. Still special.

"I met a girl."

I was at the lake when I got the phone call. My granddaughter had just been born! Daisy – my Labrador – was chasing butterflies among the dying grass. Thankfully the rain was coming so maybe it would liven up the wildlife.

I could see it now; bringing my darling granddaughter here to pick flowers, catch butterflies and telling stories. My phone rang again... Twins!

I was sitting on the hood of the car as I watched the girls play and laugh when it happened. The sound of their laughed faded and my vision blurred. My chest felt tight and I clutched it. I could here Jake running up to me before everything went black.

I held the urn in my hands for a long moment as I watched the sun set. The lake had changed over the years. The grass was dead and patchy. The water was muddy and covered with dead plants and insects.

As the sun finally set I opened the urn and let my mother go. To her special place.

Our special place.