Like Letters Written in the Sand Part Eight

The beauty of Anna-leis’s smile spread as Clarence carried in yet another bouquet of red roses. She had never received so many roses in her life, and they made her feel special. Clarence had a way of doing that to her, a way that no one else could. His feelings about her were not altered by what happened to her, but rather grew as a result. In contrast, what made Anna-Leis gasp with surprise was the ring that had been laid in one of the flowers. The wedding was just around the corner, and Anna-Leis had insisted she did not wish to wait. This was going to be a small wedding on the beach, just as she had envisioned. In addition, their Pastor was going to conduct the ceremony, but it would take place in the waters, especially on the beach where they first met, without realizing that a few years later they would become husband and wife on the same beach. The sunlight that glinted off Anna-leis’ hair told Clarence she was special even then. It took courage to risk your life for another person, as he expressed with her as a police officer as well.

“You didn’t have to.” Anna-leis said looking awestruck.

“You deserve something that makes you happy, too.”

As he put the ring on her finger, she wiped tears from her eyes. There would be a wedding by the end of the month, it seemed so fast to some, but not to them. The last few weeks had shown them how quickly things can change. She’d always have a reminder of that, but she wasn’t going to let it define her, and with Clarence she’d know joy, but most importantly, with Jesus.

A smile spread across Anna-leis’ face as she stared at the ring, feeling like a princess in a fairytale she’d read as a child, searching for her own happily ever after, which she had found with Jesus and Clarence.

The ring on Anna-leis’ finger sparkled as sunlight streamed through the open shades on the kitchen window. Clarence was fixing her breakfast, something she reminded him she could do. Though she didn’t mind today, she had some wedding invitations to send out, and she needed to go shopping, something she hadn’t done since the accident. Thanks to Clarence, she found the strength to face the things she wasn’t sure she could handle. When Anna-leis struggled, Clarence whispered, “Sweetheart, you have nothing to be embarrassed about, if anything, let your life be a testimony to God’s grace.”

“Thanks.” Anna-leis said as Clarence mixed the batter for her favorite strawberry waffles. Just thinking about them made her mouth water.

“You don’t have to thank me for breakfast, we both need to eat.” He said, winking, which made her laugh.

“ Yes I do , for breakfast, it smells good, but for everything else as well. You’ve helped me get through this.” She said. It would have been a hundred times harder for me without you. However, something good came out of all of this, we’re together. It’s too bad I spent so much time running away from you, but I’m glad you caught up with me.”

“I am as well.” Clarence said, sitting at the table so that he could speak with Anna-leis at eye level.

“Despite all this,” Anna-leis stared down at what remained of her legs, what they called her residual limbs. Scars were healing, stitches were gone, and she was finally able to begin fittings, but the custom prosthetics would take some time to complete. Despite her desire to marry Clarence as soon as possible, she did not wish to wait for her prosthetics. It had never occurred to her how important it was for her to be married to someone who loved her so much. Anna-leis once believed that she would never marry, but sitting at the table with Clarence made her grateful that she had been wrong.

Anna-leis, I wish it had been different. I would never wish pain on you. However, I do not blame God either.”

Neither do I; however, I do give him credit for the blessing he brought me as a result of all this. As a result, he blessed me with you.”

“I am the one who is blessed.” Clarence replied, gently holding Anna-leis’ hand. Originally, Anna-leis had closed herself off to love, but he knew someday they would get married, maybe even have children, if Anna-leis was able, something the doctors were uncertain about due to the sepsis and the damage it caused. No matter whether they had children or not, Clarence would love her and she would love him.

Your will be done, Lord. Clarence had prayed when Anna-leis had informed him that the sepsis had caused significant damage to her body and that she was unlikely to be able to bear children.

“Perhaps this is God’s way of telling us to adopt.” Clarence whispered gently, not wishing to upset Anna-leis in any way.

I do not believe that will be an easy task either.” Anna-leis said with a pang of sadness in her voice.

The fact that you are a double amputee does not prevent you from being an exceptional mother. Any child would benefit from having you as a mother.”

Anna-leis sighed.

“Sweetheart, no matter what happens, we will always have each other, and more importantly, we have Jesus.”

“Yes, we do, and I am willing to fight for it, because I also want children, whether I adopt or have my own children.

To Be Continued

Revised April.14.2023