Anna's Story - Part One

April rain is beating against Anna’s windowpane.  She stands staring but not seeing the garden.  As she finishes getting ready for yet another birthday, she finds it so unbelievable the years have gone so quickly.

She buried her parents, brothers, and husband.  While her mind feels like thirty something, her body feels all of its 90 years.  As memories race though her mind, there is a knock on her door.  Her son, Peter, and his family planned this milestone party.

“Milestone”, she thinks.  “A party for outliving my friends and most of my family?”

Anna opens the door for Peter.  He looks so much like his father.  As he bends down to kiss her cheek, he says, “Are you ready, Ma?  Everyone is waiting for you to start the party.   You look beautiful tonight, the belle of the ball.”

She clicks her tongue.  “A belle he says; a tarnished bell!”

With his help, they descend the stairs to the foyer below.  What is left of her family and friends have gathered around the foot of the stairs.  Almost 100 years ago, her beloved Papa would have called her his prinzessin; tonight she feels every inch the queen.

Anna looks around.  Her son, his wife and their five children, their spouses, all the grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their families have gathered to celebrate her birth.

She goes to each one, caresses his or her face with her hands and cries out, Oh! Mein libeling!”  Each one accepts her caress as a loving kiss.  Of course, the younger ones squirm a bit, but enjoy their Oma more than they will let on.

Anna’s eyes move from her youngest grandson to the parlor just beyond the French doors.  The sight brings tears to her eyes.