The Gift
Man frets over a gift.44 total reviews
Comment from Harikleia Sirmans
What a beautiful story!
I liked the dialogue you created and the way you revealed the gift through Jeff and Stephanie.
This daffodil garden does reveal the wife's essence who loves cats, gardening, and butterflies.
It is sad that she didn't live to see it. Still, other people in the community enjoy it and tell the wife's story. That's how her memory remains alive.
Great job!
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2022
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What a beautiful story!
I liked the dialogue you created and the way you revealed the gift through Jeff and Stephanie.
This daffodil garden does reveal the wife's essence who loves cats, gardening, and butterflies.
It is sad that she didn't live to see it. Still, other people in the community enjoy it and tell the wife's story. That's how her memory remains alive.
Great job!
Comment Written 07-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2022
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Thank you for the six stars and the most kind of thoughtful review! Terry.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
I recognize that your wife is at the heart of this story, as she is in many, and I'm wondering if you did plant such a garden? Regardless, this is a beautiful tribute to her - it shows that she is always in your thoughts as you write about her so often.
This is a lovely piece and well written - lots of dialogue to tell your story.
The paragraph that begins "The River Walk has been open for three years . . .
I wonder if that is necessary to the story - maybe some of that information can be worked into the paragraph above it.
Thanks for another good read, Terry.
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2022
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I recognize that your wife is at the heart of this story, as she is in many, and I'm wondering if you did plant such a garden? Regardless, this is a beautiful tribute to her - it shows that she is always in your thoughts as you write about her so often.
This is a lovely piece and well written - lots of dialogue to tell your story.
The paragraph that begins "The River Walk has been open for three years . . .
I wonder if that is necessary to the story - maybe some of that information can be worked into the paragraph above it.
Thanks for another good read, Terry.
Comment Written 07-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2022
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Pam, thank you for your kind review. I did post this story as fiction. Some of it is fiction. A garden was built and funded after Zoe died in a beautiful venue that people enjoy.
The garden does have a statue of a cat reaching for a butterfly. There is a plaque that reads, "Zoe's Butterfly Garden." I know the fella that funded and hauled compost and horse manure to help the plants grow.
The garden does attract a lot of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Terry.
Comment from WalkerMan
This is a heartwarming story of "Remembrance unto Life" in which the humble gardener honors the memory of his deceased wife with the gift he had hoped she would see before her sudden passing. She was his Butterfly, just as your own master gardener wife was yours. By not revealing his true role in the daffodil garden's existence, he kept himself out of focus by the visiting couple. The garden is what will remain as a loving remembrance long after he is also gone, and his wife's spirit will eternally know how strong and true his love is.
Though you categorized the story as fiction because some details are altered, the truth behind both sections is beautiful. That and the last paragraph are what earned you the sixth star, and I'm not at all surprised to see this post in first place ATB for this month.
Superb, and aptly illustrated. :)) -- Mike
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2022
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This is a heartwarming story of "Remembrance unto Life" in which the humble gardener honors the memory of his deceased wife with the gift he had hoped she would see before her sudden passing. She was his Butterfly, just as your own master gardener wife was yours. By not revealing his true role in the daffodil garden's existence, he kept himself out of focus by the visiting couple. The garden is what will remain as a loving remembrance long after he is also gone, and his wife's spirit will eternally know how strong and true his love is.
Though you categorized the story as fiction because some details are altered, the truth behind both sections is beautiful. That and the last paragraph are what earned you the sixth star, and I'm not at all surprised to see this post in first place ATB for this month.
Superb, and aptly illustrated. :)) -- Mike
Comment Written 06-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2022
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Mike, thank you for the six stars! You have analyzed the story correctly. There is some fiction in the story. There are also a lot of facts. Thank you for your kind remarks. Terry.
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You are most welcome, Terry. The everlasting love expressed in this story is a delight to see. Thank you for posting it just as it is. :)) -- Mike
Comment from Mary Vigasin
Terry, this is a beautifully written story, tender, loving, and heartfelt.
The love shown in the story is eternal. A garden planted for a loved one who loved flowers keeps the memory alive.
It certainly deserves a six-star.
Best wishes,
Mary
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Terry, this is a beautifully written story, tender, loving, and heartfelt.
The love shown in the story is eternal. A garden planted for a loved one who loved flowers keeps the memory alive.
It certainly deserves a six-star.
Best wishes,
Mary
Comment Written 06-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Mary, Thank you for the six stars! I appreciate your kind review. Terry.
Comment from estory
I heard of this story somewhere, in the news or in the papers. It is a true story. I think this captures that desire we all have to appreciate the people around us. And also that showing that appreciation can be symbolized in a natural image. It is a natural act after all. estory
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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I heard of this story somewhere, in the news or in the papers. It is a true story. I think this captures that desire we all have to appreciate the people around us. And also that showing that appreciation can be symbolized in a natural image. It is a natural act after all. estory
Comment Written 06-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Thank you for reading. There is a place where more than forty thousand daffodils are planted. Our homesite, for more than twenty years, has a thousand or more daffodils planted. My story is partly fact, partly fiction, which is why I posted it fiction.
My wife was a Master Gardener. Everything the fellow describes of her essence is true. She did die. There is a garden planted in her honor in a beautiful venue. She didn't live to see it. There is a statue of a cat reaching for a butterfly, the garden does attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. I know the guy who funded the garden and carried compost and horse manure to help the plants grow. There is a plaque that says, "Zoe's Butterfly Garden." People do enjoy the beauty.
Thank you. Terry.
Comment from Sanku
This is very touching. He is tending the garden himself. The story goes directly to the heard with its sweet-sad atmosphere. 'because you were my butterfly' this is a great finish
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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This is very touching. He is tending the garden himself. The story goes directly to the heard with its sweet-sad atmosphere. 'because you were my butterfly' this is a great finish
Comment Written 06-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Sanku, thank you for the six stars and your very kind review! Terry.
Comment from Carolyn Dooley
This was a great story. What a gift to give to a loved one. It is sad, she did not see and enjoy the thought from her husband. However, maybe she is enjoying it from heaven. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story. Have a great day.
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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This was a great story. What a gift to give to a loved one. It is sad, she did not see and enjoy the thought from her husband. However, maybe she is enjoying it from heaven. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story. Have a great day.
Comment Written 06-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Carolyn, thank you for your wonderful review. Terry.
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You are welcome.
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
What a beautiful story and the ending pulled at my heartstrings. It is such a well-told story. Is it true? I have been to the River Walk in San Antonio. I was stationed there at Ft. Sam Houston. Loved that town, and I loved your story.
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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What a beautiful story and the ending pulled at my heartstrings. It is such a well-told story. Is it true? I have been to the River Walk in San Antonio. I was stationed there at Ft. Sam Houston. Loved that town, and I loved your story.
Comment Written 05-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Sandra, thank you for the review. I have been on the San Antonio many times. About three years ago a new River Walk was built in Flower Mound, Texas a few hundred miles north of SA. We lived in Flower Mound for more than twenty years. Terry.
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You are welcome. I must check it out. I come to Texas ever so often. My Army buddy of 40 years lives in Dallas. I typically go in the fall. Your summers are unbearable for a VA gal!
Comment from Spitfire
Nice buildup to a heart stopping ending. :-) Of course, I kept waiting for the boyfriend to find the right gift for the woman he loved. The gardener certainly found the perfect one for his wife.
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Nice buildup to a heart stopping ending. :-) Of course, I kept waiting for the boyfriend to find the right gift for the woman he loved. The gardener certainly found the perfect one for his wife.
Comment Written 05-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Spitfire, thank you for your kind review. Terry.
Comment from Wendy G
A moving and well-written story. What a pity she didn't get to see the finished garden, but he is making a permanent memorial which will be a fine tribute to her memory.
Wendy
Typo: "Master Gardner" needs to be "Gardener"
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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A moving and well-written story. What a pity she didn't get to see the finished garden, but he is making a permanent memorial which will be a fine tribute to her memory.
Wendy
Typo: "Master Gardner" needs to be "Gardener"
Comment Written 05-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 06-Sep-2022
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Wendy, thank you for reading and catching the typo. Terry.
