The nation was healing, building, rebuilding, and bustling with fledgling new businesses, and scientific and medical discoveries, even in and around the small hamlet of Velvet Villa Village. Citizens worked together and that teamwork produced progress and hope. So, what did Rachael Hathaway Davis do as another resolution and mission in life, bringing hope to her household, besides care for John and Lily, and make and sell botanical papers, to save the day? She began a new fashion business ~ ‘Rachael Sews,’ creating quilts, table runners, napkins and other linens, dresses, skirts, shrugs, scarves, blouses, boleros, and doll clothing, with her new sewing machine. It would eventually enable her to accrue enough funds to help satisfy their mortgage on Magnolia Gardens, saving their home, haven, and horses, as well as the gardens they so loved, for insect and animal habitat ~ because, everyone and everything needs a sanctuary.
There was a rap of the doorknocker at their place that New Years Eve. A crowd of family and friends were gathered outside John and Rachael Davis’ Magnolia Gardens, as huge, soft, crystal, snowflakes glimmered and continued to fall. The newlyweds welcomed everyone in with hugs and open arms. Rachael moved amongst them, greeting each one and handing the adults the song she’d written on her honeymoon, on the night she spotted the northern lights.
Before they all began to sing, she joined John in front of their Christmas tree in the library, near his desk and The Treasure Map of 1818, theirs once again. Soon, the room became silent, with everyone wishing to hear what they had to say. “First, my husband has something to tell you, then I’ll speak again, as you all knew that I would,” Rachael began, giving her groom an adoring look, as everyone laughed.
“Monty, Buddy, and Dad, please join me here, for a moment, because our mission has been accomplished. Our dream is coming true. The railroad is coming to town!”
Cheering and whistling guests hugged each other and shook the hands of the committee that worked so diligently on this plan, John Davis, his father ~ the new mayor, Monty Graham, and Buddy Callahan. Finally, when the celebration died down, Rachael continued. “Tonight, on our resolution night, New Year’s Eve, just before the New Year unfolds, with all of its promise, we want to thank you all for everything you’ve done for us, and I’d also like to take a moment to quote President Abraham Lincoln: ‘Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.’”
Sanctuary
You all are my sanctuary,
A place where I now long to be.
You bring sweet love and joy to me,
A haven here I surely see.
There’s hope for our sanctuary,
A special love, a healing-balm tree,
Reaching out with tidings to thee,
Protecting, making lives happy.
So, I am here for all of thee,
Thankful you’re my sanctuary.
Together we dream what could be,
Creating opportunity.
I’m sure it’s clear for all to see,
A world mission of great beauty,
A person, place, or memory,
Can bring such sweet sanctuary.
Fireworks illuminated The Treasure Map of 1818 lying on John’s desk, as they learned their gifts were from Chief Morning Star and his family. “He’s given back the fish and dragonfly fossils, to help a dream.”
About The Author
Alene Adele Roy
Alene was born in Portland, Oregon and raised on a chicken farm in Scappoose, where she enjoyed the lawns, gardens, fields, orchard, animals, photography, and writing to her pen pals in Nigeria and Norway. She began writing poetry and news articles about her 4-H Cooking and Sewing Club meetings and activities for the local newspapers at age nine. Active in Brownies, Girl Scouts, Future Homemakers of America, Art Club, choir, and Pep Club, she was a Science Fair winner, and chosen as a member of the McCall’s Teen Fashion Board, one of twelve Home Economics students selected nationwide for the honorary board, for leadership, scholarship, and personality. She studied art at Portland State College, Clark College, and with other artists, and creative writing with The Institute of Children’s Literature. Her feature articles, columns, photography, and poetry have been featured in various publications and her books include: “The Legend Of Dragonfly Pond,” an illustrated book series for family reading, a cookbook, “Cooking with Sourdough,” and two volumes of inspirational short stories. Her recipes and poetry were also featured in “Oregon’s Cookbook For Living,” with proceeds donated to cancer aid and research, and her press books won state and national awards. She felt honored to be asked to write the Dedication for “Huckleberries on the Trail,” a cookbook in honor of Oregon’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, (150th Birthday) by the North Powder Huckleberry Festival, North Powder, Oregon. Alene is a member of The Audubon Society, The National Wildlife Federation, and The Xerces Society For Invertebrate Conservation, which protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat, worldwide, including dragonflies and butterflies, and her yard and gardens are certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
Our true mission should be ~ a world sanctuary.
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