Stories Through the Seasons

By Rebekah A. Morris

A collection of 12 stories: one for every month of the year.

A New Life – "Faithful is He that promised." Mary Louise McKinley clings to that promise as January brings the start of a new life to her.

Forget Not – Kevin and Carlee are at odds. Something is wrong between them. Will their day together be spoiled, or can an elderly friend's accident save the day?

Winter is Past – Cloudy, dreary day. Will spring ever come? Mrs. Wilkinson and her granddaughter find spring in a basket of daffodils. But what will they do with them?

Happy Day – Rinnah and her daddy have always done just fine alone together. Then a new friend enters their life, and Rinnah begins to make some important discoveries. Join young Rinnah as she records in her diary the events leading up to the happiest day of her life.

Even the Beasts – When Harold Manning's trip to town is delayed because of a mountain lion's visit, he and his wife must trust that all things–even beasts–were meant to praise the Lord.

His Mighty Acts – With the second World War still raging, Mrs. Lydia Newham plans to spend her anniversary alone. But her son, James, has other plans. So does someone higher up.

Honor All Men – Devin Moreland doesn't smile. Why should he when his home has been vandalized? Things change, however, when Sergeant Sinclair steps in with a 4th of July celebration to remember.

The Way to Go – On his mother's advice, Hugh joins a hiking trip into the mountains. Seeking direction for his life, he has no idea how the trip could possibly show him the way to go.

Faithful – When young Bobby Nicholson's new puppy lives up to his name, it causes quite a stir in their little country church–in more ways than one!

Give Attendance – Harvey wasn't interested in books and didn't read anymore, so inheriting a library from his great uncle was definitely not a dream come true. His only desire was to get rid of it quickly–until a rainy afternoon exploring his uncle's apartment made him reconsider.

Heritage of Praise – With the loss of her mother just before Thanksgiving, Marilyn feels anything but in a grateful mood. But a visit to Grandma's attic brings to life a tradition long forgotten. Will this be enough to turn tears into praise?

Unto Him – When 10-year-old Richard discovers a family has moved into the empty house in the neighborhood, he is excited. Especially when he meets Jon and Jack. But something seems wrong. Is there anything Richard can do tho help make Christmas special for his new friends?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Another Page Publishing
• Release date: Dec 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386811091

Book preview

Stories Through the Seasons

Rebekah A. Morris

Cover Design by Rebekah A. Morris

© 2018 All rights reserved.

Interior formatting by Rebekah A. Morris

Copyright © 2018 Rebekah A. Morris

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever,  except for a brief quotation for review purposes only, without prior written authorization from the publisher.

ISBN: 1729737897

ISBN-13: 978-1729737897

Read Another Page Publishing

DEDICATION

To my lovely beta readers who  eagerly waited each  month for their  next story.

CONTENTS

1.

January

A New Life

snowflake break

The snowflakes, which had been small and light only thirty minutes ago, had become heavy and were falling thickly about me. It was cold, but not a penetrating cold where the wind cuts through coats no matter how thick they are, as though they were nothing, and chilling one to the very bone by its bitterness; this was a pleasant cold, brisk and invigorating, and the snow was lovely falling all around and rapidly covering up the drab grass and the few piles of ugly, dirty snow which still remained from the last snowfall.

I paused on the sidewalk and gazed about. A new year, a new snowfall, a new house; all together it meant a new life for us. Tilting my face up, my eyes blinked as the large, fat flakes fell on my nose and hair. Glorious, that’s what it was! I gave a long sigh of contentment and then set off once more, thankful that the grocer’s boy had offered to bring the packages around in an hour. It would have been difficult to carry them, for the snow was making the streets a mess of slippery slush. Passing carriages and automobiles only churned up the roads and made them worse than before.

Pulling my new coat closer about me, I hurried on. Little Mary Mildred would be waiting for me. How kind it was of Miss Catherine to promise to watch Baby so that I might run the errands for Cook and Mrs. Carmichael. I would have been nearly home now–how pleasant that word sounded to me–had it not been for the young girl I had found looking cold and hungry. I had only my car fare with me, but the thankfulness in her voice and face more than repaid the walking I now had to do.

For He is faithful that promised. Softly I whispered those words and knew them to be true. Only two months ago I wouldn’t have been able to spare a car fare. Even before I was married, extra money was not plentiful, even if I had been minded to bestow some of it on those in need. I had married for love, not money.

snowflake break

Mary Louise! If you once leave this house to marry that man, you will never set foot in it again! thundered Mr. Ryan, as he stood before his daughter with flashing eyes and folded arms. His face was stern. Do I make myself clear?

Perfectly, Father, the daughter replied, her dark eyes flashing in the same way her father’s did, but with a voice calmly quiet.

Than get back to your room.

I will not. I am going to marry Robert McKinley, Father. Nothing you say or do will stop me.

Mary Louise! Mr. Ryan roared. I forbid you to marry that man!

There was a toss of the small, brown head and a quiet voice answered, You already forbade me to think of him, but it didn’t work. I love him, Father, and I am going to marry him! If you won’t consent and give me your blessing, I’ll do without, but I cannot do without Robert McKinley!

There was a pause as the two equally strong-willed persons glared at each other. Neither one would give an inch, so, at last, with a quiet, Good bye, Father, Mary Louise left her father’s house to join young Robert McKinley who was waiting for her.

He’ll break your heart! shouted the irate father after the two young people.

snowflake break

Poor Father, I thought, trudging onward. And poor Robert. If only I knew where— No, I will not start thinking like that! Resolutely I pushed the troublesome thoughts from my mind as I turned into the quiet, pleasant street where my new home was.

I could see the house up the hill. The white sides of the large, pleasant home were not as distinct through the veil of quickly falling snow as they would be when surrounded by the green foliage on the large, old trees or amidst the brilliant colors from the many gardens which surrounded it in summer. Its many windows looked dark, and I knew the members of the household must be in the back parts of the house. Guarded by two less than ferocious looking marble lions, the steps leading up to the corner porch held a blanket of snow. Smiling, I made my way around to the kitchen door. I was home.

There you are, Mary, Cook exclaimed in relief. Miss Catherine was worried about you, and Mr. Carmichael was going to go out looking for you if you didn’t come soon. You’d best go right out there and relieve their minds as well as Baby’s. Though to be sure I’ve scarcely heard a sound from her.

As she spoke I quickly took off my coat and rubbers, and then, leaving Cook still talking to herself, I hurried upstairs.

Oh, Mary, I’m so glad you’re home! Father, Mary is home, Miss Catherine called into the library. Then she turned to me once more. When the car came and went and you didn’t appear, I began to think something had happened to you. Mother has Baby, and she’s been as good as gold.

Her mixed pronouns made me laugh.

But where were you, Mary? Miss Catherine continued, before I could hurry away to my little one.

Yes, Mary, Mr. Carmichael’s deep, kind voice added as he came from the library, what kept you so long?

I tried to hurry, but I walked home instead of taking the cars. I’m so sorry you were worried.

Walked! In this weather? Why you must be frozen! Come right into the library. Papa has a good fire going, and I’ll have Cook bring you a cup of hot tea. Miss Catherine was in a flutter. But why did you walk, Mary? Didn’t you have enough money for the fare?

Laughing, I pulled back and replied, I’m not a bit cold. Why, this snow is very invigorating, and I enjoyed every minute of my walk, but I must go tend to Mary Mildred.

However, I hadn’t gotten three steps up the stairs before Mr. Carmichael’s voice stopped me. Mary, he questioned, did you have enough money for a car fare?

With a hand on the rail, I looked back over my shoulder. These people were so good to me, taking Baby and me in when we had no place to go. Somehow I knew they would understand. I did when I started back, sir, but there was a young girl who didn’t have a warm house or plenty of food and well  . . . I didn’t have to finish, for Mr. Carmichael smiled and nodded. He understood.

I had reached the upper hall when his quiet voice came floating up to me, The Lord loves a cheerful giver. Catherine, she is one of the Lord’s loved ones and no mistake.

That night, as I sat in a little rocker which Mrs. Carmichael had given me when I came, and cuddled my sleeping daughter, I looked out the window at the snow covered branches and the bright twinkling stars above and thought about what Mr. Carmichael had said. One of the Lord’s loved ones. A year ago it never would have been said.

snowflake break

Here ma’am, a bright voice caused Mrs. McKinley to turn. There was a neatly dressed young lady standing beside her in the aisle of the streetcar. In her hand she held out a bit of pasteboard. I do hope you will join us at the meeting tonight.

Politely Mrs. McKinley took the pasteboard and read, Gospel Meeting at 7th and Broadway. Free admission. All are welcome. When she looked up again, the girl was gone, so young Mrs. McKinley tucked the notice into her handbag and rose, as the car stopped, preparing to walk the last few blocks to her house.

As she and her husband sat together before a small stove that evening, Mrs. McKinley produced the invitation and added, Would you like to go, Robert?

After a quick glance at the printed words, Mr. McKinley laughed. No thanks. I don’t feel in special need of their religious meetings. You weren’t thinking of going, were you, Mary Lou?

Mrs. McKinley shook her head. Only if you wanted to go.

The meeting was forgotten, and the young couple went about their daily lives with never a thought for the One who made them and loved them. All was forgotten until one spring day, late in the afternoon. Mrs. McKinley was coming home with a basket of sewing to do when a sudden spring shower commenced to fall. Seeking shelter from the downpour that had begun so quickly, she found herself inside a church where a meeting was going on. There she heard of the Savior’s great love, and such a longing came over her to be one of His children that, when the meeting was over, she made her way up to the minister. A long conversation was had between those two, the elder, gray haired minister and young, eager wife. When at last she left the church, Mrs. McKinley had a peace that she had never felt before.

snowflake break

I gave a sigh as I rose to put Baby in her little bed. Your papa didn’t understand what had happened to me that night, Baby, I whispered sadly. He didn’t understand and didn’t want to. If it had not been for the precious verses I found in Mother’s old Bible which had been buried deep in my trunk, I don’t know how I could have continued. Quietly I prepared for bed and turned out the light, and in the shimmering, silver glow of the moon on the snow I knelt down to pray.

Oh, Father in Heaven, I murmured, I thank You for this new home for Baby and me. For providing for us when we were in such need. Now I ask You to bless my Robert wherever he may be. Oh, Father, You who said that if we ask in faith believing we shall receive, grant Your salvation to my Robert! Faithful are You who have promised. You have never failed me, even when times were hard, and when difficulties seemed to almost overwhelm me; You were faithful and delivered me from them all.

How long I knelt there praying for my husband, I don’t know, but the peace of God filled me, and at last I lay down and slept.

snowflake break

Listen, Mary Lou, Robert said one night in early summer, I don’t mind if you want to be religious, but don’t preach at me.

Mrs. McKinley nodded. How she longed to have her husband one with her in this new experience, but he wanted nothing to do with it. His heart seemed hardened

With a sudden change of subject, Mr. McKinley remarked, I do wish, darling, that you could get out of the city before summer’s heat is fully here. I’m afraid you’ll get sick.

Where would I go?

That’s the problem; I don’t know.

Mrs. McKinley laughed brightly at the expression on her husband’s face. Don’t worry about me, she assured him. I’ll be all right.

Summer came and with it intense and oppressive heat. There were days when the young Mrs. McKinley felt wilted and listless. I can’t go on, she murmured to herself one especially hot morning. This heat is just too unbearable. It seems to have drained every drop of energy from me. Picking up her Bible she opened it and read, The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. Flipping over a few pages her eyes caught the words: The Lord is my strength and my song.

Father, be my strength and my shade. I’m so tired and weary. Help me to have strength so that Robert might not worry about me. Be Thou my song.

Within an hour, clouds had covered the sky, and a breeze began to blow. With a smile, Mary Louise McKinley whispered with a song in her heart, Faithful is He that promised.

snowflake break

The quiet crying of Baby roused me from my sleep. Her needs were soon met, and she lay in my arms wide-awake.

Precious Darling, I crooned, even your coming was met by more promises. If only your father could see you. I choked back a sob, for it was during these waking hours of the night that I felt the loneliest. After nearly four months of being without him, the longing to hear my husband’s voice again, to feel his arms about me, his kiss on my lips, to see his smile and bright, honest, blue eyes gazing with a tender love into mine, was often more than I could bear. At such times I would pull out my Bible and read until I felt comforted. That night was no different. After wrapping a blanket about Mary Mildred, I turned on the gas, and, pulling my warm dressing gown about me, I settled in the rocker with Baby in one arm and my Bible in my lap.

I didn’t know where to read, so I opened it up at random and my eye caught a verse: For the Lord has called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. . . . With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. . . . For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

Leaning back I began to rock. Even more promises, I murmured. Sometimes it was hard to trust, often it was hard to wait, but I never had to wait in vain. He is faithful that promised. It is so true, Mary Mildred, I whispered to the sweet baby cooing in my arms. He is faithful, every time.

snowflake break

I’m sorry, ma’am, the young man said, his face flushed and his voice apologetic. "You didn’t pay your rent last week