The Reflection of You
By:
Debbie A.
On the occasion of Joseph’s 20th
birthday, as the boys are getting ready to head into town for the party, Ben begins
to reflect on the time that has passed since the passing of his beloved
Marie. As he waits, he sits down at his
desk and begins to write a letter:
My
Dearest Marie –
How I miss you, my love. My heart aches to hold you in my arms, feel
your touch, hear your sweet voice, see your eyes dance and sparkle in the
moonlight; these privileges stolen so long ago by a cruel twist of fate.
Although it was difficult at first,
you became more than a mother to both of my sons, loving them as fiercely as if
you’d born them yourself. Then, as God
smiled upon me, you gave me another precious blessing.
You would be so very proud of all
three of our boys.
Our Joseph has had one thing that Adam
never really had; the chance to be a child.
I sometimes wonder if he envied that chance having been forced to grow
up so quickly. But something sparked in
him when you came to us. Oh, not at
first, but he eventually grew to see you as a mother, and when that happened, a
little boy emerged, at least for a time.
Adam went to school in
Although Adam left the confines of the
Ponderosa a boy mature beyond his years, he returned a very wise man with an
amazing insight. Since his return home,
he has been my partner both in business and raising our youngest cub.
Eric has never strayed far from
this land that he loves so dearly. His
heart is as full of compassion as it was when he was a child. Our gentle giant has, on more than one occasion
served as mediator and peacekeeper between brothers or father and son.
As much as Hoss loves this land, his
love for his family is deeper still. He
shares an amazing bond with his baby brother, a fierce friendship.
And then, there is my precious
Joseph; our boy. Oh, Marie, he is so
like you in so many ways, physical attributes aside; his passion, his zest for
life.
Our Joseph’s sense of justice knows no
bounds. Although slight of build, he
would in a moment jump in to defend someone if he felt an injustice had been
done. His pride has gotten him into
trouble numerous times; that, I’m afraid is a trait of mine, but you knew
that. He is also as hot headed as he was
as a boy. I think he can thank both of
us for that temper of his.
We have kept Paul very busy over
the last several years. The good doctor
has often joked, ‘If not for Joseph, I wouldn’t have a practice.’
You’ve missed so much, my sweet
Marie; the joy and sorrow, good times and bad.
Our little one has at times been quite the handful, as I recall you told
me he would be. But he has also been my
joy, my reason. He has become the very
heart of our Ponderosa, the very heart of the Cartwright’s, the very heart of
me.
Today marks our Joseph’s 20th
birthday. We are having a party for him
in
Every time I see our son, my love, I
know that you are with us, for it is the reflection of you that gazes back at
me. I see your smile when he smiles,
your eyes dancing and sparkling in his. Your spirit and passion lived out through
him. Thank you for this precious gift
that you gave to me so long ago.
Adam is calling me; it’s time to
head to town. I will write again
soon. All my love is yours until
eternity reunites us and beyond.
Your
loving husband,
Benjamin