by April Olshavsky

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: November 12, 2008

The sun glistened on a single tear streaming down Rachel's face as she pushed Grandma Emily's wheelchair. The doctors had only given Grandma Emily six months to live, and by now, seven months had went by. "It won't be much longer, now" the nurse's voice echoed through Rachel's head. The doctors strict orders were to stay in bed, but Grandma's Emily's demands triumphed. The path through the park had been long, and Rachel's calves were beginning to burn.

"Grandma, how about we stop here?" Rachel said, as she pointed at a wrought iron bench overlooking a small koi pond. Her blood-shot eyes were beginning to sting. Rachel decided she couldn't live with herself any longer if she allowed her grandmother to spend her special day in a cold, sterile hospital bed. Lately, it was rare to see Grandma Emily awake long enough to hold a conversation. On this special day, Rachel was pleased to see her grandmother have such an abundance of energy, and had been awake through their ride in the park.

A crisp breeze suddenly swept Grandma Emily's scarf away. Rachel quickly jumped in the air, and grabbed the scarf. As she wrapped it around her grandmother's thin neck, her eyes began to fill with tears. For months,Rachel had prepared herself for the day that she would have to say goodbye to her grandmother. More than anything, she wished she could tell her grandmother how much she meant to her.

Moments passed by as the two sat in silence. The wind began to rustle a grouping of trees across the pond. Grandma Emily took in a good strong breathe, smiled and closed her eyes. "Do you see, honey?" Grandma Emily softly spoke, opening her eyes. Rachel smiled and leaned her forehead against her grandmother's cheek. "With a bouquet of daisies and a handmade ring made of yarn, Grandpa Jimmy proposed to me." Grandma breathed her words deeply. "There, beyond the trees, follow the path, and you will come to the tree." Grandma Emily was growing weaker, and her words were becoming more difficult to speak.

"Grandma, that's so sweet," Rachel whispered, holding her grandmother close. She was not sure if her grandmother's story was real, or another one of her hallucinations. It really didn't matter.

"We visited the tree every year after. For forty-five years, he was always there with me, " Grandma Emily gazed at the trees. Rachel knew now it was the hallucinations causing her grandmother to talk. "Grandma, why haven't you ever told me this story?" Rachel asked. "Rachel, some things are sacred in love.

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