Cherry Two

There she was, something more beautiful than you could ever imagine. Long dark brown hair and when the sun touched it in just the right spot the red colors entwined would flare. Soft hazel eyes, with a smile that would light up a room, the beauty she held was unlike any other. She was standing there in the middle of the wide-open field, grass tall with white daisies. The sun was shining against her freckled cheeks as the wind softly brushed her thin straight hair out of her face. It wasn’t just her appearance that captivated the world around her; it was the aura she carried. The energy she exuded was like the first notes of a favorite song, filling the air with warmth and familiarity. Her laughter was soft, like rippling water over smooth stones, and it echoed across the field, bringing life to the quiet space. The way she stood, with confidence and grace, made her feel impossibly unique, yet entirely approachable, as though she belonged to the field, the sky, and the moment itself. She felt hopeless as everything was spinning and spinning around her. She let out a scream while tears were rolling down her face, and she softly fell into the tall grass. Laying there while it all consumed her, not realizing that this would be forever. Pain has no end.  But even in the depths of despair, the smallest glimmer of light can find its way through. A bird's gentle song echoed through the silent field, its melody weaving a thread of hope into the fabric of her sorrow. The warmth of the sun seemed to linger a little longer on her skin, as if to remind her that even in darkness, there is always the promise of dawn. She didn’t know it yet, but this moment, though heavy with anguish, was a turning point. Life can be relentless, yet it also holds the power to heal, offering moments of beauty and resilience that arise when least expected. She was a girl who had always admired her grandfather — her best friend, her rock, her guiding light. When he passed away, it felt like the world had dimmed. Losing him was more than just saying goodbye to a loved one; it was losing the person who had believed in her strength even when she doubted it herself. Life had already thrown its fair share of challenges her way, including a series of toxic relationships that left her questioning her worth and ability to trust. But through the pain and heartache, she remembered her grandfather’s unwavering faith in her. He had always seen her as strong, capable, and deserving of a love that lifted her up instead of tearing her down. Determined not to let his memory fade or his belief in her go to waste, she resolved to rebuild her life. Piece by piece, she worked to become the strong, resilient girl he always knew — the girl who could face anything with grace and courage. Her journey wasn’t easy, but it was one filled with purpose, love for herself, and a deep desire to honor the man who had meant everything to her. 

Her life was never anything exciting. The same blank stares as people passed her by. No one would ever really know who she was and sometimes after everything she would wonder, if she even knew who she was. Just a girl swooped up and lost in a world that keeps spinning. No one would ever stop to wonder about her or ask her if she was ok. Because honestly, she was never really okay. The fake smiles she would pass off to please everyone around her, and the carefree facade. She never really had any friends. Just people, phases that came and went. They were always really nice while they lasted. Giving glimpses of hope. But deep down, she always found herself yearning for connection—the kind that lasts, the kind that makes you feel seen. She would spend countless nights staring at the ceiling, imagining a life where someone truly understood her. A life where she wouldn’t have to hide behind a curtain of pleasantries and small talk. The ache for something real, something profound, was always there. And though it scared her, she often dreamed about breaking free from the walls she had built, daring to let someone in even if it meant risking the pain of being vulnerable.

She never really had that sweep you off your feet type love, coming close once or twice. All she was ever looking for was to be loved the way her grandfather loved her grandma, that's what she deserved.  She often found herself wondering if love like that even existed anymore. In a world so fast-paced and consumed by fleeting moments, she longed for something timeless, something unshakable. It wasn’t all about the perfect grand gestures or the insanely presented perfect fairy tales to her; it was about the quiet consistency, the unwavering respect, and the kind of relationship that weathered storms and celebrated small joys. Deep down, she believed that somewhere out there, a love like her grandparents' was waiting to find her. When you lose someone moving on doesn't sound like something that could possibly exist. Especially when it's someone like your grandfather. Perfection in his own ways. Nothing he could ever do could ever be wrong in her eyes. Every day, same time when he would come home from work, she would greet him by hiding in the coat closet to "scare" him as if he didn't already know she would be hiding there. He greeted her in surprise every single time with a big smile on his face. She was the favorite grandchild, of course. After he would kiss Grammie hello, sit in his big cozy chair and crack a beer. She remembered a story where her grandmother packed his lunch and as he sat down at work where her father also worked, he began to unpack his lunch and cracked open his drink. As he was chugging it down, he noticed her father's face with him saying "put it down, what are you doing". See her grandfather had been in a car accident years ago so he lost his sense of smell and taste, coming to realize the drink he so deliciously chugged was not in fact a soda, but it was a beer! Her grandmother would laugh every time the story was told. 

Her grandmother was pure beauty and not just in how she looked, but in how she would carry herself no matter what challenge was put in front of her. Gram would hold her head up high no matter what. The quiet strength was so much of what she loved most about her gram. Gram never gave up; she would always tell us stories on how little she might have has at one time but with her determination Gram and Pop made it out. They took care of each other, Gram always held everything together and Pop always lit up her world. They were the perfect dynamic. There was something so beautiful and unshakable about Gram's spirit, something that made everyone that ever encountered her feel safe and loved. She would stand tall and not because she thought life was easy but because she had already faced the storms and learned how to stand firm through them all. Gram had a mix of grace and grit that the small brown-haired girl could only hope to grow into. She idolized her Grams patience, wisdom and the way of making even ordinary days feel special. She wanted to be just like her Gram: strong, kind, and full of quiet confidence. Gram taught her that real beauty isn't about perfection, it's about resilience, about showing up and shinning brighter that you could have ever imagined and never let your light dim. Her favorite memories were going with Gram to Aunt Maryanne's house because Gram would clean and help out around the house but after that they would drive to The Point. It was a magical spot at the end of the Connecticut River, the ocean stretched wide and the air always felt alive. There was mini golf, the Saybrook Point Inn, Dock and Dine a nice restaurant that would forever flood during storms, and a big cruise boat that she dreamed of riding one day. It sparkled in the sun and all the people going on and off were always so mesmerizing to her. Together they would sit there eating their tuna sandwiches that Gram always packed with a sprite. They would sit by the water talking and laughing like time didn't exist. After lunch they would ride along the beachside, admiring the big, beautiful houses that lined the shore. She would daydream about which house she would live in when she was older but truthfully, those moments with Gram were already the kind of life she dreamed of - simple, peaceful and full of love.