Sunlight streamed through the white curtains reflecting off
the glass window pane and thus created an ethereal glow around Noelle’s still,
sleeping body. Birds were chirping, squirrels were having a grand old time
chasing one another and the deer were bold enough to come close to the feeders
displayed on the lawns that were now covered with fresh white snow.
The sound of a distant church bell awoke Noelle. She took
one look at her surroundings and had to think for a minute where she was. Then
everything came back. It was Christmas and she had high tailed it to the
mountains of Colorado where she was in need of a place of rest and refuge. The phone
beside her bed rang.
“Hello?” she answered
tentatively.
“Good morning Miss
Hadley and Merry Christmas. This is the front desk calling to check in and make
sure you got your luggage upon arrival last night.”
“Merry Christmas to
you too,” Noelle almost instantly placed an artificial smile on her face. It
had become a habit now. But she stopped herself knowing she was the only one in the
room.
“Yes it’s all here,” she looked at the one tiny brown suitcase she had
packed in a hurry. Noelle hardly brought anything for this trip. She figured
that if it was going to be a vacation of rest then nice outfits and jewelry
were not needed.
“Oh good, please let
us know if there is anything you need. Breakfast should be down in the
recreation center in about a half hour” the cheery voice on the other end said.
“Oh” Noelle bit her
lip not wanting to be rude. “Well I was hoping to have breakfast in my room
this morning. Jet lag and all."
“We’ll have Maudie
come up with a plate soon Miss Hadley.” Noelle thanked the person on the other
end and hung up. She quickly put on her pink fleece robe and began to get
ready. A hot shower did her good after the long plane ride yesterday. She let
the steam fill up the entire bathroom before she got out, brushed her teeth and
put on a pair of jeans and a black sweater.
Noelle looked into the mirror and didn’t recognize the face
that looked back at her. The normal rosy color of her cheeks was gone, her
genuine smile had been placed with a fake one and the normally sparkling green
emerald color of her eyes seemed to become dull and glazed over. She didn’t
even bother trying to manage with her long strawberry blonde curls. If they
wanted to stick out that way today then she wasn’t going to wrestle with them.
“Knock, knock!” a
woman stepped into the bedroom. The smell of hazelnut coffee, pancakes and
peppermint filtered into the bedroom. Noelle hadn’t realized how hungry she was
until she smelled all that delicious food.
“Hello Noelle.” The
woman, who looked about 80 smiled at her. “Here’s your breakfast.”
“Thank you uhhh…” She
forgot what the front desk had said her name was.
“Maudie,” she smiled
a warm maternal smile that reminded Noelle of someone. “Good gracious, are you
ok dear? You don’t look well.”
“Oh I’m fine thank
you.” Noelle plastered that well rehearsed fake smile on. Maudie raised an
eyebrow at her and took a glance around the room as if inspecting it for
something.
“Coffee?” Maudie
walked over to the cart where the breakfast plate was located.
“Yes, thank you.”
Noelle accepted the cup and put in some sugar and milk. She expected Maudie to
leave but the woman began making the bed. She folded the blankets with what
looked like years of experience. Maudie was dressed in a black skirt and
white blouse. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun on the back of her head; there
was not a strand out of place. Yet despite her appearance, Maudie, had a kind
smile and a gentle voice that one could get used to listening to.
“So Noelle, what a
lovely name, why on earth aren’t you home celebrating Christmas with your
family and friends?” Noelle was taken aback by the question.
“Umm” Noelle sat down
in the chair by the bed and put her fingers to work by adding more sugar to her
coffee. She didn't expect a question like that.
“Well no matter why
you’re here today, I’m happy you chose our place to vacation.”
“Thank you Maudie. Do
you own this place?”
“I sure do” Maudie
smiled with pride. “My husband built it over 50 years ago. Our children were
little and we wanted them to experience life out here in the mountains. Life
was hard at times, but we were thankful for our home under heaven. The children
grew up here and had their friends over to go camping all the time. When they
left the house my husband and I felt we needed to do something more so we made
this place a vacation home where people could find peace, stillness and a place
to discover God. I’ve been doing it ever since my children graduated high
school.”
“That’s so wonderful
Maudie” Noelle couldn’t help but give a small smile. “And how about your
husband?”
“Oh my Paul passed
away years ago, God rest his soul. But he told me that I was to continue with
the home. This place has become a big part of my joy in life.”
“I’m so sorry to hear
about his passing.” Noelle felt her heart drop.
“Thank you dear. It was
hard Noelle. I’m not going to lie. I would lie awake at night longing to hear
the heavy breathing of my husband. It used to annoy me at one point but when he
was gone I longed to hear it just one more time.”
“I know how you feel”
Noelle whispered. What she wouldn’t give to hear her mother nag at her once
again. It had been almost two years since the last time she heard her mother’s
voice.
“Life does go on child. And I know I will see Paul again
someday, just not on this side of heaven. It will be a beautiful day when I can
see his smiling face with the sun streaming through the white clouds reflecting
off of the angels of heaven.”
Noelle smiled at the picture.
“In the meantime, my joy is not something that anybody or
anything can take away from me.”
Maudie stopped and looked outside the window
at the deer nibbling in the bird feeder. “I know what it is to be in need, and
I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty
or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Noelle teared
up at those verses. Her mother used to speak those words to her all the time.
Maudie turned around and smiled at Noelle.
“You eat your breakfast Noelle, then be sure to take a trip
to the barn, ok?”
“Thank you Maudie” Noelle whispered softly. Maudie quietly
crept out the door leaving Noelle in the silence. Tears streamed down her face
and for the first time in years they were tears of joy and not of sadness.
Scriptures referenced: Philippians 4:12-13
(Disclaimer: This is a fictional story with fictional characters and a
fictional plot. All copyright belongs to Whispers to the Heart blog.)
