Excerpt
The smell of coffee brewing woke John; as he lay in bed, trying to get into gear, he thought about the barn filled with cars, neon signs, pinball machines, jukeboxes, slot machines, and a door with locks that had not opened in years. While he snuggled under the covers of the king-sized sleigh bed, he pondered how to best approach Hook with his curiosity.
Sarah was starting to stir, and, opening her eyes, she looked at John and smiled; she gave him a long romantic kiss, and said, Morning, Darling; I love you. As they lay facing each other, John asked her how the visit with her mother had gone. Sarah thought for a second, and said, Pappy was my mothers inspiration, and I learned so much about him; yet mother says theres a whole lot more.
John got dressed as Sarah put on her bathrobe; they were both ready for coffee and the adventures possible on a new day at Diamond Hearts Farm.
When they walked, arm-in-arm, down the grand staircase, Mimi was waiting at the bottom step. Its about time, she said, her reading glasses sitting on the tip of her nose. Mother, its only 8:00 a.m., Sarah replied; ignoring Sarahs remark, Mimi took Johns arm, and walked him into the dining room.
John pulled his mother-in-laws chair out, waiting for her to be seated before taking his own place. After they were all seated, Hook poured coffee from a beautiful Reed & Barton silver service, handed Mimi the morning paper, and announced, Breakfast is ready.
The meal was served on silver platters; it consisted of scrambled eggs, fruit, pancakes with no butter, dry wheat toast, potatoes, and extra-crisp bacon.
Mimis breakfast china had been a gift from Pappy, after he had teased her one morning about paper plates and styrofoam cups; later that day, she had all dishes removed from the estate and, with bare cupboards, an empty china cabinet, and a barren buffet, shed informed Pappy that, unless he apologized, every meal from then on would be served on paper plates. Realizing she was dead serious, he had quickly apologized, and she accepted.
They later sat down to a dinner of steak, potatoes, salad, bread, and dessert, all of which was served on 8 paper plates. When Pappy asked, And where is our china? Mimi replied, At the second-hand store, along with all the crystal. The next morning, and every morning since, breakfast was served on the blue Currier & Ives Weeping Willow china; Diamond Hearts Farm never saw another paper plate, styrofoam cup, or other disposable utensils.
The morning paper had been part of the daily routine for over twenty-five years; it lay, unopened, on the right side of Mimis place-setting. Another part of the routine, fresh flowers graced the center of the massive mahogany dining-room table, and a single rose in a crystal bud vase stood in front of Mimis plate.
Next to the rose, there was always a simple card from Pappy; Mimi opened the card and, in Pappys handwriting, read:
My darling Diva,
Todays is the last card you will open from me, as our lives are now separated by heaven and earth. Darling, you were my candle of hope, a princess who became a queen, a mother who is a goddess, and a life-partner committed to the growth of her family. Through your eyes of wisdom, your soft heart filled with love, you live by example. You are the true definition of gentleness and integration; you taught me to improve myself, to see the ways I could improve, while living life to its fullest, sharing truth, goodness, honor and glory. My days were filled with your sunshine, your soft gentle touch, and the positive outlook that we greeted each day with. Our time-tested relationship blessed me with a full life, and gave me the power to share unselfish love from my heart. Mimi, you helped me see everything in its proper perspective, and helped me to gain a peace-of-mind that never ended. You are an angel of kindness and consideration; you lift the spirits of all who know you, showing them a path that is rich in rewards, with a light that never dims.
Darling, thank you for hearing my dreams; thank you for truth; thank you for giving my life meaning. Thank you for being part of the dream, and thank you for encouraging me to live the dream.
Mimi, you filled my heart with an abundance of love, while giving me the greatest earthly gift possible: yourself.
I love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
God bless you, our children, our grand-children, and the polished Diamond Heart that we became.
Love,
Tommy.
As the tears rolled down her flushed cheeks, Mimi folded the note, put it against her heart, and whispered to herself, Morning, Tommy. I love you.
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