Friday 19 November 2010

Liz Fichera's First Gift Blog-Hop - What did I get?

Liz is hosting this blog-hop.


Fitting with her guidelines I hereby present a vivid memory!



It is a hot sunny Summer’s day, sky of blue with occasional scud of white cloud, and a couple are taking a stroll along an English country lane bedecked with wild flowers. Bees are buzzing, birds twittering and the sweet essence of fresh mown hay drifts on a clement breeze. They’ve known one another for several weeks, not intimately but well enough in the company of others.




On this particular day they are alone, abandoned by others, the two of them chattering and laughing a little. The man plucks a wild briar rose from a hedge in passing. He then lovingly places it in the woman’s hair, words of affection expressed. They laugh and chatter some more, both knowing there’s a connection between them but as yet nothing beyond that of friendship: or is there? Whatever, they continue on their way, and when the stroll is at end they go their separate ways, though do meet from time to time over a period of a month. Come the end of the month it is known the man is to leave the area and sense of sadness prevails, but before the man leaves he presents the woman with a parting gift.




A year later they meet again, and nothing is insurmountable if something is wanted badly enough. Walking, boating, dining, riding and other leisure activities can easily lure two people into a close relationship, and that’s what happens. They eventually get married and gifts for her become more lavish as time passes.






Now after years of happy marriage the love and friendship is as strong as ever, the first gift forever a treasured memory, because it was the greatest gift of all: as good as a first kiss, involving touch, intimate eye-contact and that special something that comes with first throes of love.

A wild briar rose.


To see other entries go here.

Oh, and while you're here check out my upcoming Twisted Fairytale blogfest: top right corner.

Loads more listed in sidebar, too!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, my! I have a lump in my throat! This is so beautiful! And I loved this line: "...because it was the greatest gift of all: as good as a first kiss."

Francine, thanks so much for joining the Blog Hop this weekend! Your story was beautiful!

Angelina Rain said...

Your story is so beautiful. First roses (or flowers) from The One are truly memorable, aren't they. I got a rose on my first date with my hubby and I could still remember how it smelled.

Anonymous said...

I loved that story, especially the book commemorating what sounds like a beautiful courtship. :)

Donna Cummings

Unknown said...

Sweet story. All of these gifts are beautiful.

Kittie Howard said...

Hi, I'm dropping in from Nicki's and so glad I did. Your story brought tears to my eyes...still have a rose my hub bought from a street vendor years ago, all dried now, but as pretty in my mind as ever! Thank you for sharing.

Twimom227 said...

How special! What a great memory and treasure. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

That was lovely. Did you yearn for each other that year you were apart?

Anonymous said...

That's really lovely :O)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful story, Francine. Thank you for sharing.

Francine Howarth said...

Hi,

Just dropped in quick to say many thanks to all who've stopped by to comment. I've had a lovely cruise around all your blogs today, those I missed out on yesterday, so thanks again.

And, Suzanna, yep the yearning was strong enough to warrant phone calls! :o

best to all

F

Tina said...

I've been in the Land of No Internet, so I am just getting here -- I'm glad I made it by! Lovely story, lovely images. Lovely lovely. Thank you for sharing it.

Julie Musil said...

Oh my, that was so beautiful and romantic!

Mythik said...

very intrigued and fascinated. Loved all of it. Hope to keep up with you more...

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Nice story beautifully written. Thanks for telling it! What an unforgettable symbol!

Monti
NotesAlongTheWay

Heather M. Gardner said...

Sweet and romantic. A lovely combination. Thanks for sharing this memory!

Nicki Elson said...

Aww, that is so sweet. Guess that first gift was a good clue to what a thoughtful, wonderful person you'd found. So glad you two surmounted those obstacles.