Golden Heart (For Elsie)- Easel Musings/Wk6/Challenge

Most of you will know me as writer of somewhat dark and speculative works, the following piece is a real departure from that genre. Before you read I would like to give you some insight into my inspiration for this work, which is very metaphorical and means a lot more than the surface portrays.

Just about everyone on Gather knows Elsie Duggan and have no doubt had occasion to experience her beautiful spirit (her Golden Heart if you will) touch their lives. Elsie has been through so much in her lifetime, endured things many of us could barely imagine, yet still has the kindness and strength of heart to reach out to someone in need. Even someone on the other side of the world.

I could think of no other way to do so Elsie, so this work is my thanks to you for being there when I needed it so much.

  Mimi squeezed the older woman's hand nervously as they wandered across the open field towards the town.

    'Why are you always so happy, Catherine?' Mimi asked.

    Catherine looked down at the little girl with a smile. A smile so bright and loving that Mimi felt the warmth of it flowing through her tiny body, 'Because the sky is so blue, the grass so green and the wildflowers are plentiful,' she answered, 'These are things that are real and tangible, Mimi. We must enjoy them while we can and not let sorrow and grief overwhelm us when there is so much beauty in the world.'

    Mimi slowed down, her head hanging down as tears began to roll down her cheeks. The accident that had taken Mimi's family and damaged her so badly had also taken Catherine's family as well.

    Despite her own loss, Catherine had taken the little girl in immediately and nursed her back to health, loving Mimi as she would her own child. Catherine said that Mimi had given her reason to live and the will to find beauty in everything surrounding them; and joy in every moment.

    'I am not beautiful,' Mimi said sadly as Catherine stopped and turned toward her as Mimi's hand dropped from hers and her feet stopped moving.

    Kneeling down, Catherine cupped Mimi's chin in her hand and gazed adoringly into her sad, hazel eyes, 'You are the most beautiful thing of all,' Catherine whispered as she kissed Mimi's brow, 'for true beauty is found within the soul, and yours is flawless.'

    Only Catherine ever looked into the little girl's face with nothing but love. Others either flinched or tried politely to avoid looking directly at Mimi's scarred visage. Some looked with pity. Mimi found those looks the hardest to endure.

    But Catherine; Catherine looked down upon Mimi as though she was looking into the perfect face of a cherub. In return, Mimi looked up at Catherine with adoration. Catherine was her own guardian angel on earth.

    As Catherine held her gaze, new light came into Mimi's eyes, buoyed by the words spoken so fervently. The sun was behind Catherine and she glowed golden in its rays. This was exactly how Mimi saw her guardian all of the time, and it seemed the heavens saw it too.

    Everything about Catherine was golden and radiant.

    Golden hair.

    Golden eyes.

    Golden heart.

© Alison Pearce 2008