No Ottic I didnot know that she made you promise but knowing Lilly I am not surprized she was a woman of great depth of understanding. Yep Doc that is true enough. So how long you gonna hide out in your Barn? Doc I raised my family with Lilly buried our parents had good times and bad. Do you honestly think those folks have a clue of what we shared, They loved her too Ottis as she was a good neighbor to so many of them. Tell you the truth Ottic Let's make an appearance check on Ada and Grey and then let's go fishing what do you say. Of Course that set the townsfolks tongues awaggin but as soon as Ottis saw a few of the throng gathered saw that his Daughter and neice we managing that was just what he and the old doc did they went fishing.

Hours later Ada and Grey sat at the kitchen table sipping hot coffee. Ada with a water smile said I bet you my best quilt ma asked Doc to take pa fishing she knew he would not be able to handle the crowd. Your Mama was always looking out for folks, she had a way of seeing a need and know just how to get it filled. Hard to believe that she is gone Ada's voice wobbled a bit as she spoke I knew she was sick but i just didn't think she would go so fast. Grey reached out and held Ada's hand giving it a gentle squeeze Her blue eyes saying more than her words could.

Ada swallowed hard . Grey what are your plans? You gonna stay here with Pa Run the store? You could if you got your heart set on it but Bobby and I we would love to have you live with us.
Ada raised her brows I know i am gonna have to move somewhere Ada I am just not sure where yet. While most folks though Ottis was a gruff if fair bussiness man, His wife and children knew the truth the big man was painfully shy as a result he did not let most folks know him well. He was interested in the goings on of his grown children and his young grandchildren but Grey would suffer for company with just ottis and now with a broken heart he would retreat further into himself for awhile.

Well you could stay with us for a bit and sort your plans out I could use the help at home, living as far out as we do I get plum lonesome. Ada you are too kind but you and Bobby are newlyweds and the last thing you need is a house guest. I wonder if your Pa and Doc have caught any fish ?

The two men sat fishing long silences between them at times They had caught one fish each but judging them too small had released the catch. Doc I would like your thoughts on something
. It is about Grey the doc smiled to himself He had know Grey most of her life had been friends with her folks. Well it is like this Lilly had this plan to find a fella for Grey she had been writin letters to this fella I am just not sure how she would take to the idea. Well ottis She is a funny thing She is a hard worker to be sure she just has a bit of reserve much like her ma. Yeah that is true She will gather the eggs milk the cows but she can't hardly bear to wring a chickens neck.
She is kindhearted but not the sort that would do for a nurse i suppose. Doc smiled again at that remembering when a boy a school broke his arm a nasty break how Grey had sent for help kept everybody calm only to be sick after it was all over an done with.

You know Ottis She might warm up to meeting the fella if she knew that Lilly thought it was best. I am surprized Lilly did not already have it arranged. You mean like she did today having you take me fishing cause she knew How crazy i would be listening to folks and trying to come up with words for them, As it turned out Lilly had written Letters one last one to Chance Davis and a first one to Grey,


Dear Mr Davis.

As i have told you my heart is failing and my time will soon be at hand. I am not sure that my letter's have fully shown my neice to her best advantage. She is a kindhearted intelligent girl . She has not form any deep attachements to any of the few young men here in our small town. Her father was my baby brother and when he and his wife died she came to live with us. I count her as one of my own, Unknown to her there is a small legacy that will be hers when she reaches 21 years of age, I share this with you so that if you should meet and not think that you could build a life with her she is not without resources, I wish for her what my own daughter Ada has found a loving kind husband and a home of her own. I know from your letters that you have a small place of your own and a home that could use a woman's touch . Your last letter when you learned of my illness your tone was kind please consider that kindness would not be wasted on Grey . I must inform her of our correspondence I pray that she will hear from you.

Ada turned to Grey and said with a tremble in her voice Well if you don't want to come and live with me and Bobby Maybe this will help you make your plans. She pulled a letter out of her pocket. I haven't opened it Mama told me to give it to you.

Grey opened the letter and began to read,

Dear Grey,

I have so many thoughts that i wish i could share them all with you and Ada i come toward the end of my life knowing that I have loved and been loved trusting in God's goodness. For sometime now i have known that i would be going home ahead of the rest of you. My dear friend Millie has always had a fondness for Ottis and i think in time they might find each other, I know that Ottis will be fine, I was so happy on Ada's Wedding day to see her joined with Bobby I know that their a challenges ahead but they will meet them together with God's help. It was my heart's wish that you would would find a partner and to this end I started writing a fella telling him about you, Now before you have a tizzy fit Grey remember that your Ma and Pa was joined as a mail order bride and while they were only together for a short while , They were happy. For What ever reason you have never been interested in the local young men not that there are many to chose from. MR, Davis is a Farmer he has Cattle and a small home he is a little older than you. Has never been married , From his letters i have learned that he can write and read and has a good if dry sense of humor. know that I have loved you from the time you came to be with us an that i wanted you to have a chance to have a home and family of your own, Have an open mind Grey If Chance Davis writes again it will be addressed to you. You are stronger than you know.


Grey Did not speak for a full five minutes finally Ada said I knew Ma was up to something but i never thought she was playing match maker again. I just am shocked Ada Whatever was she thinkingGrey's voice sqeaked with emotion. Well if i know one thing about my ma Ada smiled Pa is in on this and i bet he knows where this Chance Davis's letter are you could read them and Wait and see if he writes back.

The girls heard a wagon it was Ada's husband Bobby He had taken some of the neighbors home and had come back to fetch his wife.I gotta go Grey I am gonna get Bobby to stop by and check on pa and Doc at the pond. I will see you in the morning.

That night Grey tossed and turned in her bed she had managed to get uncle ottis to drink a little broth and when she brought up the letter that her aunt lilly had left her he had smiled so she took care of explaining it for me. She did not know what to do Her aunts illness and death had left a hole in her heart and now her mind was a in a whirl What should she do. Who was this Chance Davis. He must be much older What if he wrote what if he did not, She loved Ada but she knew that she did not belong in her cousins home with her new husband. Uncle Ottis would not insist on her moving but already the absence of her aunt was keenly felt by them both and conversation was strained and slow. What should i do Oh Lord help me to do the right things.

Chance Sat by the brook listening to the birds singing in the tree's he opened the packet of letters yet again.Reading the words there praying that what he was doing was not a mistake. It had started as a lark Looking for a mai order bride and then he started getting letters some funny some sad but the letters from Lilly had captured His attention Right away. My niece is a sensitive young woman with Character. Chance thought okay so she is plain and cries easy. She would make a good wife and in time a good mother for your children. She has lived with us since my brother and his wife died. doubtless you are wondering why i write for my neice she is not witless by any means , she is loyal to a fault . A loyal woman that would be different Chance thought to himself, The lettter went on to explain that Lilly feared that Grey would be wasted waiting on customers for her husband Running the household . Ms Lilly then proceeded to tell Chance that she had known for awhile that she had a bad heart and that it would soon fail . There are more women here then men so If my Ottis wants to remarry it won't be hard for him. He is a gruff person on the outside but inside he is kind. Should something happen I have advised him of my letters to you . Dear Grey knows nothing of them.

Grey thought Chance what kinda woman is called Grey? Folks milled about her Aunt's house and Grey and Ada were busy serving coffee , Cake and tea. Uncle Ottis was out in the barn . DR. Cooley had come in the old doctor had done all he could to help Lilly and just as others greived he did too the woman had the best outlook strong willed and positive to the end. I have come to pay respects to your pa Ada where is He? Aw Doc he is in the barn feeding ma's chickens It is alright Ada I will go out to him. Ottis doc called as he walked into the neat barn. The two men shook hands , Ottis i am sorry about LillyI know you are doc you did all you could do. Lill made me promise that I would forgive you for her death did you know that? No Ottic

The smells of the damp earth filled her nose wind blowing in the tree's She kept holding on to the lace hanky in her hands. Ashes to ashes dust to dust the pastor spoke the words over the grave . What ever would she do now? Her Aunt had been her greatest champion they had forged a bond that at times had annoyed her uncle and cousins. Her Uncle was deep in grief and her Cousin's all married with families of there own. Her uncle Ottis standing head bent shoulders shaking perhaps he would let her help him with the store. Grey was a middle sized person not the dainty sortbut not oversized either with dark brown hair and blue eyes a straight nose full and generous lips. Wiping her tears away she focused on the small gathering. Her Aunt had been well loved by the townsfolk and her uncle was respected if feared for he was a gruff man. Ada her oldest cousin touched her hand breaking into her thoughts " Come on she whispered it is time to go " With feet that felt like they were in cased in lead she moved away from the graveside.



They sat in the Wagon waiting on Uncle Ottis, he stood alone at his wife's grave lost in his own thoughts which would have surprized his family had they known what they were. " I was so luckey to have you as my wife lilly nobody ever understood me the way you did. The only time you have ever disappointed me is today I wanted to go first" Jamming his hat on his head he turned to go walking toward the wagon that held His oldest daughter and his niece.

Once upon a time

Things have been rolling on and I have learned more what i thought was a curse losing the office job not being able to cope with the nursing home the depression and the rebellion from Lucy . Has been a blessing I am now sure that God is opened a window for me that i never thought he would . I am in Pt 3 times a week and still seeing the wonderful Dr Christine. Lucy is working on making up her mind if she will get a job go back to shcool or move out. Wayne is the bright spot of the whole thing he is going to church reading the bible Just amazing how God is showing up in his life! I am going to do something that i have always wanted to do . Learn to quilt and i am going to start writing something that i thought i would have to wait to do. Well Now is the time!

Still struggle with weight but maybe i am making progress so Once upon a time!