Alone on the Oregon Trail

by Vanessa Carvo

  Chapter Twelve

  (Calming the Prairie)

  We buried Caleb in a quiet gentle place as his mother wished and I myself visit his grave now and then, bringing my heart close to the remains that Caleb left us. He left us a tenderness that comes only from the good Lord and he taught us much about sharing the gentle ways of the Lord.

  Grayson was able to speak not only for Caleb that day, but the Lord spoke through him as well, and the message was heard. Where a people had crossed over into a way of thinking, they were able to hear the words of the Lord and return to His ways.

  He tells us that ‘our ways are not His ways’, and He certainly was right. The Lord and His mercy brought a people back to the place of rest, back to the place of trusting in Him, and that late afternoon, there was movement among them as they listened to the words coming from Grayson.

  We thank the Lord daily for the way in which He moved that day to bring His people back into His heart.

  After we laid Caleb to rest, we decided to offer to his mother a place to live that would be gentler on her than her having to live alone and by the works of God, she accepted our offer. We were able to return the crowded barn back to a resting spot for Bailey as we watched everyone gather their portions of food and return to their farms.

  There was much work ahead as we made our visits to each home through the start of spring, checking out any damage that may have been done to their homes during the time they were living in our barn. The destruction was nothing like we had expected and it did not take long to bring everyone’s home up to running smoothly.

  Some of the drifters and others who had run out of food had ravaged some of the homes, leaving them in a mess. Fortunately, it was not anything that we could not take care of.

  Finally, our deeds were done and Loves’ Landing was able to return to its new life and new family that God had made. Another blessing was bestowed on my beautiful new family. Grayson and I were expecting our first child and I couldn’t have been happier.

  I found myself thinking how proud Nathaniel would be and that he would be very excited to see me with child, even though this child was not his. I still enjoyed my times of thought about Nathaniel and he will always be cherished in my heart. He deserves that resting place in my heart and the good Lord balances everything, giving us tiny places within us to remember special people, and Nathaniel is one of those special people.

  Sometimes Grayson and I would both sit and share stories of our past loves and how they left their marks inside our minds and hearts forever. There is always a place within you to save your love for that special love one, but for now we had a new member of our family well on their way, and a boy or girl would be welcomed.

  The girls grew very excited about the child’s coming and they tickled me as they ran around preparing a place to lay their little sibling’s head. They offered up special treasures of their own that they could pass down to their tiny brother or sister, whether it was a tiny doll, or a special blanket they had saved.

  Our family had changed so much and for the better, indeed. The days of the twists and turns of trying to win over Mattie’s trust and heart were long gone and the girl is filled with love and genuine concern.

  The Lord surely had provided for us with His amazing ways. I could not have asked for a more precious family if I had searched the world over. Kate had been such a sweet blessing and asset to our family as she ran around with the girls preparing us all for the coming of my child.

  My child was expected in early September and we all felt it would be the perfect time to bring a child into the world, with all the beauty of autumn being just around the corner. I found myself in tears as I recalled the wishes of Nathaniel and his last words to me ‘autumn is just around the corner -- can’t you see it Brooklyn?’ and yes, autumn was just around the corner and I could finally see it coming into view.

  With each day, my baby grew inside of me, and I thought of Nathaniel and how this baby was a gift from God, a gift of life, replacing my loss of Nathaniel. As his eyes closed, another’s shall open and as he sleeps and waits for the good Lord to raise him unto eternal life, this child shall come with the autumn breezes and the multi-colored leaves as they begin to fall and cover the ground, making prints of patchworks.

  Nathaniel, to this day, had pictured and described the coming of autumn better than anyone I have ever known. Each day as my belly grew with my child inside, I could feel its growth and on days it seemed I could hear my baby speak to me as it must have been giggling knowing it soon would address the world with air filling its lungs, and opening his or her eyes to a family of love.

  For now, the prairie had found its calm and the breeze blew its message that autumn was on the horizon, bringing color and glamour and serenity. With everyone back in their homes, tucked in with a new found faith in God, they would visit often and at times we would open the barn back up to them, having wonderful meetings with food and song.

  We received fine gifts from so many as they would load up wonderful treasures in their wagons, and some delivering specialties by horseback. God had touched so many with giving that we began to wonder when the giving would cease. The good Lord knows best and for a time He was filling our home with gratitude and surprises.

  The calming of the prairie also brought to us a much expected surprise as our oldest daughter Meredith came to us one morning, informing us that Cambell was coming to visit and it was for a special reason and she would like to fix a wonderful meal for us all.

  Grayson and I both knew what this visit would be about and we kept it to ourselves as we watched Meredith believe that she was hiding something. Mattie too knew what was in store and she beamed with delight at our visit from Cambell.

  A meal was prepared and we all dressed in our finest Sabbath wear, and we waited in delight for Cambell and his surprise. When he arrived, his face was clearly giving it away as he was nervous, stuttering and fidgeting like never before.

  To ease his mind, Grayson took him to the side and I watched as Grayson knelt with him saying a sweet prayer, preparing Cambell for his announcement, Then as we all gathered into the kitchen, Cambell could no longer keep his secret to himself and he exhaled out the words “Mr. Love, I love your daughter, so may I marry her?”

  He could not have presented his surprise any sweeter and we all joined in laughter at the young man. His tongue had let loose of his love and he could bridle it no more. Meredith laughed like I had never seen her laugh before and her face was all lit up, telling its secret of her love for Cambell.

  These two love birds, as we watched them, sent shivers up and down our spines, which in turn filled our hearts with a familiar feeling of exciting love.

  We allowed Cambell to stay at our house for the night because we had carelessly carried on way into the night with our celebrations and I would not hear of the young man leaving at such an hour. I made a place for him to sleep on the living room floor and we threw soft cuddly pillows at him, one after one until he had a pile reaching the height of the sofa.

  He was set with more pillows than needed and chuckled out that we should save some for ourselves. The night was sweet as our hearts filled with joy to be welcoming such a fine young man into our household of love, and Cambell would fit in, for he loved the Lord just as much as we did.

  The next morning, Meredith and I sat down to begin plans for her wedding and we acted like school girls, all giddy. Mattie joined in, giving her ideas and acted in as the mature one, believe it or not.

  Meredith and I had become so wrapped up in the joy of it all, so much that we could not think clearly and Mattie took my place as being logical and wise. It was nice to see how Mattie could pull herself together when we could not.

  We decided that we should probably get Meredith married off before the arrival of my baby. I certainly did not want any of her exciting time to be taken from her and so it was decided that she would be married in two weeks.

  It would be soon, but she had no worries and
wanted a simple wedding, inviting only a few people. She requested to be married down by a beautiful stream and to end up back in the barn for a glorious barn dance celebration and we all could not agree more to her wishes.

  We contacted our Pastor who would be leading the ceremony and he was delighted, knowing that he would be marrying the two one day. We also gathered ideas from one another on her wedding dress and we came up with marvelous ideas, as our minds were swirling.

  All three of us girls rode into town, looking for just the right amount of lace, pearls and satin to transform into a beauty of a wedding dress. Meredith chose lavender as an accent and decided she would place lavender satin all around the edges of her skirt, as well as covering her hair with a lavender band.

  We had a field that grew lilacs that were stunning, full of magnificent aroma. This would be her choice for a sweet veil piece and would also provide us with her bouquet she would carry. As time went on, we were able to bring lilacs to the tables in the barn, placing a wonderfully smelling bouquet on each table.

  Grayson surprised Meredith by making a beautiful arbor to place at the ceremonial spot, and we would be covering it with bouquets of lilacs tumbling down, and this would surely give Meredith delight as she stood under such beauty, voicing her vows of love and devotion to the man of her life.

  I so looked forward to the special day and caught myself in remembrance of my own special day when I gave my hand to her adorable father. All the plans we had made came to fruition and we were heaven bound waiting for the day.

  Chapter Thirteen

  (Autumn Is Just Around The Corner)

  Nathaniel’s memorable last words was falling upon us as we looked out across the prairie, seeing noticeable scenes in which he had so described. The thrilling smells filled the air with its crisp air and the ground began filling its paths with delightful colors of orange, browns and gold’s, setting landscapes worthy of lusting for.

  How my heart clung to every descriptive word that fell from Nathaniel’s lips, looking out among the horizon before me. I found myself in search of his creative imaginations, and one by one they came into sight, just as he had said.

  It still amazed me how the Lord provided a young man with a picture so clear that yet he would never be fortunate enough to touch. I realized that no one or thing can provide quite like the Lord and I still believe that perhaps Nathaniel’s view was even more glorious than ours as our eyes beheld its arrival.

  I believe that God gave to Nathaniel his desires and he possibly saw autumn as God sees it and this we would have to wait for as we await the beauties of heaven.

  Meredith’s special day was just around the corner and the natural beauty of autumn was preparing itself to show off for her. With each day, the colors richened into hue that I had never experienced before and by the time her day arrived, each color became more vibrantly alive.

  Grayson woke up early on Meredith’s day and took his surprise down to the stream and Mattie helped him get it all set up right. We had made a rule for Meredith and Cambell and they were to stick close to the house and barn.

  Cambell was left to the barn before the ceremony, not being able to feast his eyes upon his beautiful bride before the ceremony. Meredith stirred around the house like a hen that had lost its chick. It was comical to see her in such a state.

  Mattie, too, was filled with impatient patience, showing bouts of the little girl that came to peek here and there. I too was said to have been acting childish at times as I wanted the day to hurry along.

  Grayson, at this time, became the rock and the one offering a peaceful calm.

  Pastor Arnold arrived in time to sit with Meredith and talk with her about a Christian marriage and then he exited to the barn to have the same discussion with Cambell. Time was running out and before we knew it, our guests started to arrive, along with many that we had not invited and it was clear that they were going to keep arriving.

  This was good news considering that they all brought enough food to feed us all. Each family as they rode onto our farm, first apologized taking it upon themselves for invitation, but they could not resist and wanted to show their gratitude for our dedication to their needs when they needed us.

  They each brought gifts, wonderful gifts for the couple to be, and blessings poured in, wagon by wagon. We were grateful for their coming and with all intention, we wanted to invite them all, but was worried about being able to feed them all.

  So, this was another blessing that God showered down. Just as He sends the former and the latter rain, He sent us blessings for all.

  As the morning passed into noon, the sun begin to show its wondrous warmth, and not a cloud in the sky spoke its possible rain, and we began gathering in prayer, to prepare for what lay ahead.

  As I watched my oldest daughter slip into her wedding dress, the tears burst from me, no longer being stayed; and we sat and wept each other into a long embrace. Falling from the top of her carefully placed bun, was ringlet after ringlet that framed her tiny porcelain face, so much that she looked like a perfect doll in a market window.

  Mattie was the one who had fixed Meredith’s hair and to her delight, it was stunning. Meredith had never once cut her hair, only to trim the ends when needed. So, her hair fell down her back in glorious waves and looking at her, I thought that I had looked upon the most beautiful young woman I had ever seen.

  How my heart came to such life, looking at my daughter with pride.

  When Grayson came to sit with her for their special father-daughter conversation, he could barely speak as his eyes slowly glided over his oldest daughter. I am sure to this day that she must have been the picture of her mother in his eyes and what a moment that must have been for him, to stare into the eyes of his once love.

  I left the room and gave them the space and time they needed to pass back and forth their napkin to wipe away their tears of joy. Before long Grayson came walking out of the room where we held Meredith hostage, being sure to not let Cambell lay his eyes upon her, and his strength had been drained from the emotion he was feeling.

  I walked over to him, offering a nice wet cloth to bury his face into and he released a whole new set of tears, trying desperately to rid himself of tears, knowing that they would only return once more when he handed his daughter over to his new son.

  Grayson had said since the day they announced their marriage that Cambell would never be his son in law, but that he would be the son he never had. So, there were no titles of in laws ever heard from the family’s lips.

  Cambell was just as happy to receive Grayson as a father and the bond had already been formed that to this day, has never tarnished.

  One o’clock had arrived and it was time to carry the bride to her arbor of love and Grayson swept her off her feet, lifting her into the wagon seat. Cambell had been taken to the ceremonial ground previously and he was waiting impatiently by that time.

  All the guests had found their way to the scene and when we arrived by wagon, what a sight to behold. We had more than a hundred people admiring the scenery. It was precious to see our neighbors, joined again in heart and celebration, all memories of their feuds had faded away, and all that was left was the love for God and the love for one another.

  Autumn had arrived and was no longer just around the corner and I celebrated in the fact that somehow Nathaniel had participated in this blessing of a day. His descriptions of beauty had clearly been foretold as I looked around at the ground covered with glorious colors.

  As Meredith stood under the arbor that her father had built, there was a shine that came from her and as its glory bounced off the leaves strewed across the ground, it was dazzling. Her father had done a marvelous job with creating the focal piece of the ceremony and as his daughter stood below speaking her love for her love of her life, the day came to a new life we had not seen.

  Our senses were filled with the sounds of happy chirping birds and as we looked around we saw tiny animals as they came from their hiding places, makin
g them known to the wedding party that they too saw the glory in the day.

  We watched as tiny squirrels and bunnies made their way onto the path, watching quietly and then when the last word was said and the couple were introduced as husband and wife, the bunnies and the squirrels took their places as they began running and hopping along in front of the prettied up carriage that led Meredith and Cambell down the path to their new life.

  It was a sight to see tiny animals also involved in escorting the couple into marriage.

  The wedding was a success and now the fun had begun, as we all hurried back to the barn. Family after family ran to their wagons to grab their gifts they had brought for the couple. It must have been a small comparison to how the people felt as they brought their gifts to the birth of Jesus.

  Knowing that this wedding had been fully ordained by God gave to each one a distinctive need to be a part of it all. Our day was spent well into the evening and we all had a glorious time together as we remembered not the scenes of not long before where a young man once tried desperately to bring peace to those who created a war.

  As each person celebrated life, they had a memory flash through their minds of this same young man who closed his eyes outside this same barn of celebration. As I looked around, I saw tears being wiped from everyone’s eyes, and I knew that they too had consciously thought of Caleb.

  They felt the agonizing pain once more for a moment and then the Lord removed all tears from every eye and gave to them eyes of celebration. No, Caleb would never be forgotten, that was for sure; but there is a time and a place for everything and God wiped the tears so the joy could be shared for this day.

  Forgiveness is something that comes as a reminder to better oneself, allowing them to repent and to carry on in the sight of the Lord.

  It was late evening and finally all decided it was time to settle down for the night and people began loading back into their wagons, heading to their own lives, leaving the newlyweds alone to their first night. We had made a special place for their wedding night inside the barn upon their request.