Heritage Crossing–Chapter 16

Author’s notation: Where has our imagination gone? When have we last leaned back, closed our eyes, and dreamt of things unvisited and unseen. The imagination can wonderfully combined what is, what was, and possibly what will be. Richard has such an imagination and wants to see his grandchildren activate theirs. In this scene, Richard and Prudy take a trip back to 1848 in Hillsdale, Columbia, New York to meet Frances Amelia Collin, his 2nd great grandmother.

“Frances Amelia!” Prudy blurted.  “I want to play post office with her, and her cousin, just like you read to me.”

Richard had read to Prudy how Frances Amelia Collin wrote letters to her best friend and a cousin who lived less than a mile away. Frances Amelia would hide the letters under a rock at the end of her driveway for her cousin to pick up. The rock was their post office.

“Good memory.”  He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. “You know, I can see you too.”

“You can?” Prudy asked wide-eyed.

“Yes, I can.  I just close my eyes, and we’re there.”

“Where?”

“Hillsdale, New York, where she lived.  There you are.  I see you!”

“You do?”

“You and Francis Amelia are holding hands and running down the dirt, and hard-pack driveway to deliver your letters for your cousin Addie Collin. You’d put them under a rock. Then you turn, and both see a neighbor pass by—driving a two-wheeled cart, loaded with hay. You wave to him. He had a piece of straw sticking out of his mouth and tipped his hat.  “Good day ladies, he said.

“Good day, kind sir,” you heard Frances Amelia respond.  You both looked at each other and giggled.  The mule that pulled the cart trudged along, looking much as a beast of burden and tired of the days labor.  A faint trail of dust follows the heavily laden cart, providing just a quick reminder that something passed a moment earlier. As the dust settles, there is no reminder at all. You and Frances Amelia wave a second time—not that the farmer saw you that second time. You then both turned and ran back to the house.  You want to skip, and Frances Amelia is able to match your pace and stride. You look at Frances Amelia, and you smile.  It is a most delightful and a grand time, indeed, but it’s time to go home. You hug her, and Frances Amelia says to you—her new found friend, ‘please come again.  I will introduce you to father.’

“I will,” Prudy said softly as she opened her eyes. “I love you, Grandpa.”