A Wildwood Rose

A Wildwood Rose

by Carol

Inspired by The Message

I saw him as soon as I entered the apartment. He was sitting on the floor; I heard him sniff and then saw his body shaking with small tremors from crying. At first I thought he was hurt, and I moved beside him instantly.  I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. 

"I miss them so much," he told me.   He placed his head on my shoulder, and grasped me tightly as before he broke down into deep sobs. 

"It's alright love, I have you." I pulled him closer.   A shoe of cards and letters was sitting at his feet, and he was holding a card in his hand.  I gently took it from him, and began to read it.  The front cover had a simple greeting,  

For You 

A wild flower for our wild one.  

Love you,  

Mom and Dad

Pasted just below his parents' signature was a dried lavender wildwood rose.  

There were no words I could offer to make it better, so I just held him tight.  I kissed the top of his head and felt a single tear slip down my cheek.