A Life Well Lived

She inhaled deeply and smiled. It was her final breath on this earth but she had few regrets. Her life had been full. Her children were gathered around her, smiling too. The tears would come later when the gravity of her loss finally hit them. Now was a time for celebration. Their mother was finally going home.

Not one of them doubted the fact that Ellie McQueen had a straight-line pass to heaven. She was the kind of woman people would write books about if they knew of her strength and courage. They would not; however, for Ellie had been as humble as she was kind, loving, compassionate and forgiving.

Her eldest daughter Enid bent over to brush her lips against her hero's forehead. She had no inkling how much like her mother she was. She was also humble, always giving the credit away to others; never accepting it for her own. People admired her for that, but if she known it she would have blushed. She considered herself nothing very special.

Ellie's son Sean picked up his mother's hand and held it against his cheek. His earliest memories were of that hand comforting him. He recalled how his mother had held his hand the first day of school; on the day of his graduation and to walk him down the aisle on his wedding day. He could not conceive of never again feeling its touch. Little did he know his mother had felt the same way about his strong hand in her own.

Lily, adopted by Ellie in later years, knelt next to her mother's bed to pray. She thanked God for the gift of her mother; for the years of happiness she had brought into her life and for the opportunities that selfless gift had afforded her. It was her mother who had taught her about God; a totally foreign concept to a child born in Communist China. Now, 20 years later, she was preparing for the ministry herself. She intended to take the Word back to her homeland. Ellie had given her the courage to face the hard road ahead.

The trio smiled at one another, held hands and took the time to remember their mother, each in their own individual way. It was something they knew they would do a thousand times more in the coming days, but they would always do it together. Family was everything to them, thanks to Ellie's steadfast guidance.

The memorial service was small as Ellie requested. She didn't like pomp and circumstance. She was cremated and her ashes spread across the wheat fields. It seemed fitting. She had spent much of her life tending those fields. That was the life of a farmer's daughter after all. But she hadn't minded. Farm life suited her. It was unpretentious like Ellie herself.

It wasn't until she met Bill that Ellie even considered any other type of life. That they met at all was a miracle. He was a military man just passing through Oklahoma on his way to his new base in California. A broken water pump felled his journey and caused him to remain in Garfield for a few days.

As luck would have it, the tiny town was having a parade the following morning. It was time to harvest, which was always a big deal for the community. He hadn't thought it a bit odd for people to get so excited about a crop. He understood somehow that it was a miracle they needed to celebrate.

As he watched the combined school band march through the center of town, a glint of something shiny flashed in the corner of his eye. That's when he saw a single float turn the corner to make its way into view. On top of the float was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. She had flaming red hair that flashed in the sunlight like fire.

As the float drew closer, he noted her sun-tanned skin and the freckles that crossed the bridge of her nose. For one brief moment, her electric blue eyes connected with his. That was all it took for either of them. Call it fate or kismet or destiny. As they stared openly at one another, both of them knew their love would be the thing of legends.

They had not been wrong. Married just a few days later, Ellie had traveled with her new husband to California and started a brand new life. Their daughter Enid was born less than a year later. It was the happiest time of their lives and they enjoyed every second of it, which was a good thing.

Bill was sent to Vietnam before their daughter turned one. He was captured and tortured by the enemy. For months, Ellie didn't know when he would be home. She only knew that he would because her heart was still beating. It would have stopped along with his had it gone any other way.

Luckily, Bill was rescued and returned home after 15 months. He was a little worse for wear, having lost an eye during a skirmish. The little family welcomed his discharge from the military. Now they could get on with their lives. What a life it was.

After Ellie's father died, they returned to Oklahoma to take over the farm. They scaled it back so they could manage it on their own. Bill also took work in town as mechanic on the weekend. This allowed them the money they needed to expand their family.

Sean was born three years and one month after his sister. He came roaring into the world at nearly 10 pounds and 22 inches. It was evidence of the tall, strapping boy he'd become and the strong, confident man that would follow.

A few years later disaster struck and the unthinkable happened. A tornado cut a swath through Garfield, taking half the town, the McQueen farm and Bill McQueen with it. His body was never found.

Her home gone and her husband missing, Ellie might have given up hope altogether but she did not. Instead, she focused on those around her; on their loses and their needs. She tended the wounded, found food and clothing for those who needed it and fed the hungry children. She directed the cleanup and eventually outlined the town's rebuilding.

People trusted her implicitly and she didn't steer them wrong. Within months, Garfield was back and better than ever. Only then did Ellie take the time to mourn her own loss. No one knew how profound it had been because she didn't let them see, but half of her soul had been lost with her beloved.

Years passed quickly. Ellie went from being town mayor to a state representative. She knew her home; what it needed and what it deserved. She accepted nothing less and helped make changes that would benefit the poor should disaster strike again.

She was 50 years of age when she adopted Lily; a Chinese orphan she fell in love with during a state tour to China. She felt about the little girl the way she had about her husband the first time she saw him. She knew instantly that Lily was meant to be a part of her life. Less than 15 months later, she brought the little girl home.

Ellie McQueen lived life fully, completely, truly and religiously. She gave every ounce of herself to others without expecting a thing in return. In fact, she would not accept rewards of any kind; not plaques or titles; not trophies or prizes. It wasn't who she was.

Days after her memorial, her children sat on the front porch overlooking the farm. It was a beautiful summer evening. The sky was ablaze in shades of orange, yellow, pink, and purple. Suddenly, Enid gasped and pointed to a spot in the center of the wheat field. Her brother and sister turned in the direction she pointed. Tears filled Lily's eyes. Bill stood and craned to get a better look. There was no denying what they saw.

In the center of the field was a figure of their mother; young, vibrant and beautiful. Standing next to her was their father dressed in full military garb. He looked strong and handsome. The duo was holding hands and smiling at their children. Then, with no further notice, they turned and began walking into the twilight, disappearing into the heavenly sky.