decision.”
“Pop, how do I as a Marine, take that medal? A Marine is a man of honor, there’s no honor in what did,” Jamie muttered.
“You take that medal proudly, if not for you then for Todd, and for those other young men that are grateful to you for their lives. You take that medal because it’s not about you. But about those men, all the soldiers before them and all the ones after.”
Jamie simply stared out the window over their land, watching the breeze rustle the leaves of the oak trees that lined their property. The ranch was his place, the place where he felt at peace and the most connected to the God that created it all. It hadn’t been that place for him since returning from Afghanistan. It’d become a vivid reminder of all the joy, patience, love, and laughs Todd would never have.
“Now get yourself together, with all this crying like a female and go and enjoy your day,” His father urged going to sit behind his desk again.
CHAPTER TEN
T he strawberry festival was one of the biggest events in Brightwood, for more than one hundred and fifty years, the three thousand or so citizens had come together at Jefferson Park to commiserate with their fellow neighbor. Enjoy good food, drink, music and fun. Like most festivals, there was a pie-eating contest, world hottest chili contest with rides clowns and face painting for the kids.
Jefferson Park covered three hundred and fifty acres, home to a number of famous landmarks including a duplication of Serpentine Lake, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. The park also offered various recreational activities including open water swimming, boating, cycling, tennis and horseback riding and training. There was also a rose garden located in the southeast corner of the park.
The garden opened in nineteen ninety-four and was developed from the concept of horns sounding one's arrival into Jefferson Park. The central circular area was enclosed by the yew hedge imagined to be the mouth of a trumpet or horn and the seasonal flower beds are the flaring notes coming out of the horn.
Suzy had always loved this park where she and Jamie had spent many nights here, making out under the moonlight on a blanket, making plans for their future.
Geri, Suzy and Jade were selling Geri’s famous strawberry cobbler and enjoying all the welcome homes from people around town. The sounds of the live country bad that was on the main stage, as the sun slowly set in the horizon with a cook breeze blowing through the throngs of people still walking along the row of food, jewelry and game stands.
There was of course, the few women that were friends with Sally whispering and attempting to look at them in a way that was supposed to create shame.
“Would you dried up old prunes like a slice of my cobbler or are you just gonna stand over there staring at the beauty that is my granddaughters?” Geri called out letting them know she saw them.
Susie chuckled along with some of the other people that were around that stand.
“Boy, did I miss that sharp tongue of yours,” Suzy heard Jamie say as he leaned in to kiss Geri on the cheek.
“Good Afternoon, you big sexy hunk a man,” Geri greeted hugging him. “Let me get you a piece of cobbler.”
Jamie reached into his pocket pulling out money. “Actually, can I get two pieces of that Miss Geri?” he asked.
“Why yes you can, but you better put that money away, it’s no good here,” she retorted.
Jamie knew better than to challenge Geri, he slowly eased his money back into his pocket and took the bowl from Jade, taking a big bite. “ Yummm …still the best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life. Miss Geri, you are still the best cook in town.”
“I would have to agree with him there granny,” Jade chimed in.
“Oh hush, all that talk,” Geri said blushing as she waved off their compliments.
“Good Evening Suzy,” Jamie said staring at her from under the brim of his Stetson.
Suzy had decided to wear a
“Pop, how do I as a Marine, take that medal? A Marine is a man of honor, there’s no honor in what did,” Jamie muttered.
“You take that medal proudly, if not for you then for Todd, and for those other young men that are grateful to you for their lives. You take that medal because it’s not about you. But about those men, all the soldiers before them and all the ones after.”
Jamie simply stared out the window over their land, watching the breeze rustle the leaves of the oak trees that lined their property. The ranch was his place, the place where he felt at peace and the most connected to the God that created it all. It hadn’t been that place for him since returning from Afghanistan. It’d become a vivid reminder of all the joy, patience, love, and laughs Todd would never have.
“Now get yourself together, with all this crying like a female and go and enjoy your day,” His father urged going to sit behind his desk again.
CHAPTER TEN
T he strawberry festival was one of the biggest events in Brightwood, for more than one hundred and fifty years, the three thousand or so citizens had come together at Jefferson Park to commiserate with their fellow neighbor. Enjoy good food, drink, music and fun. Like most festivals, there was a pie-eating contest, world hottest chili contest with rides clowns and face painting for the kids.
Jefferson Park covered three hundred and fifty acres, home to a number of famous landmarks including a duplication of Serpentine Lake, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. The park also offered various recreational activities including open water swimming, boating, cycling, tennis and horseback riding and training. There was also a rose garden located in the southeast corner of the park.
The garden opened in nineteen ninety-four and was developed from the concept of horns sounding one's arrival into Jefferson Park. The central circular area was enclosed by the yew hedge imagined to be the mouth of a trumpet or horn and the seasonal flower beds are the flaring notes coming out of the horn.
Suzy had always loved this park where she and Jamie had spent many nights here, making out under the moonlight on a blanket, making plans for their future.
Geri, Suzy and Jade were selling Geri’s famous strawberry cobbler and enjoying all the welcome homes from people around town. The sounds of the live country bad that was on the main stage, as the sun slowly set in the horizon with a cook breeze blowing through the throngs of people still walking along the row of food, jewelry and game stands.
There was of course, the few women that were friends with Sally whispering and attempting to look at them in a way that was supposed to create shame.
“Would you dried up old prunes like a slice of my cobbler or are you just gonna stand over there staring at the beauty that is my granddaughters?” Geri called out letting them know she saw them.
Susie chuckled along with some of the other people that were around that stand.
“Boy, did I miss that sharp tongue of yours,” Suzy heard Jamie say as he leaned in to kiss Geri on the cheek.
“Good Afternoon, you big sexy hunk a man,” Geri greeted hugging him. “Let me get you a piece of cobbler.”
Jamie reached into his pocket pulling out money. “Actually, can I get two pieces of that Miss Geri?” he asked.
“Why yes you can, but you better put that money away, it’s no good here,” she retorted.
Jamie knew better than to challenge Geri, he slowly eased his money back into his pocket and took the bowl from Jade, taking a big bite. “ Yummm …still the best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life. Miss Geri, you are still the best cook in town.”
“I would have to agree with him there granny,” Jade chimed in.
“Oh hush, all that talk,” Geri said blushing as she waved off their compliments.
“Good Evening Suzy,” Jamie said staring at her from under the brim of his Stetson.
Suzy had decided to wear a
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