Through The Years

by Michaela Lafferty

what their next step should be.

  When it came down to it Henry wanted the best for his family and one way of doing that was to be able to provide for them as well as offer his children the best future they could have. The prospect of their futures took precedence which is why they packed up their bags and left everything they knew behind.

  Once they had settled into their new home however it had begun to get easier for the couple and their children. The home had begun to fit around them and it held countless good memories of the days they had all spent together.

  Henry looked around the cluttered living room that had seen endless christmases, birthdays and its fair share of heartbreak. If the walls could talk he knew that most of the events that occurred within this room were good and that brought a smile to his face.

  The memories held on the walls of the living room were framed in all shapes and sizes. Each picture seemed to focus on a different grandchild. It was the one in which himself and Victoria sat with their grandchildren surrounding them that made him smile. Two years before Victoria had passed away they had went on a family holiday together to both Henry and Victoria’s hometown. This particular image took place only a mere few paces away from where the couple had their first date.

  Elizabeth had situated herself in front of her parents like she was a child once more hearing about the story of how her parents had met. For Henry it had hit home how many years had flew by and that his daughter was no longer a child as she sat surrounded by her three boys who tried to fake interest. Andrew, at that time, seemed to embrace ever moment he spent with not only his mother but both his parents. In his late thirties now he looked the spitting image of his father as his daughter, who was named after his wife, occupied the space to his right.

  As the sun beat upon their skin both Henry and Victoria took turns telling the tale of how they both met and other stories that occurred through the years. Henry recalled the feeling of Victoria’s hand in his own and the smile that filled her face at the memories they had both created over the years. That day had been one of his favourites because everyone he truly loved was huddled together as anecdotes were passed from generation-to-generation.

  Henry’s breathing begun to become laboured as he looked at the grandfather clock that sat tucked away in the corner of the room. The dials read eleven pm and as they rotated once again Henry thought of how time seemed to slip through your fingers. Time was a fickle thing and although one might not experience the thrill of bunchy jumping or any other adrenaline filled activity, life was still an adventure.

  His gaze fell to the image beside him, the frame was pine wood and it held the picture of an old couple who seemed fully immersed in one another. They sat opposite each another as they reached out and clung to one other’s hands. Both of their facial expressions were that of joy and when comparing that image with the one atop the fireplace you could clearly tell that nothing had changed.

  That was that last image taken of Victoria before her death and before she got extremely sick and the colour around her had drained away. The image was taken within the living room and Henry sat in the exact spot he’d occupied within the picture. It had been Sunday and both Elizabeth and Andrew had been visiting along with their four grandchildren. Noise had filled the house that day and Henry can remember that Victoria had leaned over and mentioned how she had missed the house sounding so awake.

  In that moment she was so alive and it was still difficult for Henry to comprehend how someone so lively and bright could deteriorate into nothing but sadness.

  Henry shook the thoughts from his head while his eyes locked on the armchair directly across from him. If he closed his eyes he could imagine her situated there with a grin on her face and their children and grandchildren surrounding them. Her hair had turned grey over the years but her soft brown eyes still glowed and her smile still caused a grin to burst onto his weathered face.

  The pain within Henry’s chest begun to grow as he moved his hand towards his heart. He’d been terminal ill for the past three years and ever since the discovery of his illness the days had ticked by slowly. Henry had spent countless days trying to distract himself from thinking about how his days were numbered and that soon he would be joining his wife. The latter part of the deal sounded like heaven but it was his remaining family that made him want to fight for his life. His children, although they were grown still might possibly need assistance. Another thing preventing him from giving up was his grandchildren, they hadn’t even seen the world yet and he wanted to be around for when they’d experience things such as their first love but he was so tired.

  The heat that emanated from the fire barely entered Henry’s body causing him to use the last of his strength to pull the blanket closer to his frail body. He felt as if his body was slowly turning itself off inch by inch and he couldn’t help but mutter profanities at his frail body. The air around him felt colder than normal and the fire didn’t seem to be helping at all.

  Sinking further into the armchair his gaze danced around the living room once more as if he was taking everything in for the last time. This place had been their first proper home together and everything surrounding him had a backstory from the beaten down couch to the oversized television perched in the corner of the room. It wasn’t the material things he would miss it was the stories that came with them and the feelings that rushed to the surface.

  He was getting tired and he just wanted to let go.

  Through the years he had the pleasure of falling in love and having children of his own. While that was occurring he’d got to experience the joy of teaching young minds about the world and the wonderful places within it. He also got to visit those wonderful places with his wife and children.

  His head slumped forward as the coldness begun to engulf him bit-by-bit followed by his breathing becoming erratic and unstable.

  Apart of him knew it was time to go, that he’d lived a full life within the period of time he’d been given. Henry knew that he had met people of all walks of life and that he was very lucky to say that he’d met the love of his life and created two incredible human beings who would continue on with his legacy. He prayed for their happiness and good health, that his children would carry on the values his wife and himself had taught them.

  Light seemed to fill the room as Henry’s eyes begun to droop and his vision turned blurry. He felt drained as his gaze tried to focus on the source of light that was slowing engulfing the room. His breathing became shallow as the light completely immersed him.

  He was so tired. A feeling begun to fill him as if someone was verifying his thoughts and with one last look at the place he’d spent his last few years in he muttered six words.

  “It’s time for me to go.”

  And if he was going to sleep he rested his head against the side of the leather chair and slowly closed his eyes. There was a smile on his face as his life replayed over in his head and he couldn’t help but think that through the years he had a pretty good run.

  About The Author

  Michaela Lafferty is a full time student from Scotland who is currently studying the media industry in hopes of achieving a career within publishing.

  When she’s not studying she likes to spend her days reading and writing. From a young age she has always longed to write a novel of her very own. At age nineteen she hopes to one day publish a book of her very own.

  In terms of the future she would like to gain her diploma within the media industry and hopefully go on to attend university to study either English literature or the publishing industry.