TMOOD - The continuing Story
New Beginnings
Livy’s baby was a healthy baby boy born in their home. They named him Daniel in honor of Ray’s brother who had died at Pearl Harbor. Daniel’s birth was celebrated by all of Ray’s family. Livy called her sister, Abbey, with the good news and Abbey was very happy for them. During that conversation, Abbey related that she was getting worried about Kent. His letters were no longer light and pleasant but were darker and almost foreboding. Livy consoled her, telling Abbey that things will work out. At church, Livy asked for a special prayer for her brother-in-law, Kent.
For the Singletons, Daniel’s first week was a wonderful, busy time. Ray and Livy were so busy that they didn’t have much time to talk until several days later. On the weekend following Daniel’s birth, the pace slowed down to the routine of caring for Danny, farm chores and house hold chores. Saturday evening, Ray and Livy were ready to turn in for the night. They had not changed their sleeping arrangements. Livy was in the upstairs bedroom with the baby and Ray was in the bunk room.
Livy: “Could we talk for a while upstairs? There is something I want to tell you. Daniel is asleep in his cradle. We’ll be careful not to wake him. Pause - Ray, when I first came here, I felt that being here was my father’s punishment. I also felt that I wasn’t what I should be.”
Ray: “Livy, from the first day, in my heart and in my mind, you were pure as the driven snow. I felt that you were entitled to all of the respect and honor I could give. I believe that our marriage was a fresh, clean start for both of us. My family has felt the same way right from the beginning! I adore you and so do they.”
Livy: “I know that and I want to express to you how much that has helped me!” How much you have helped me! From the very beginning, you showered me with kindness, understanding and you were so loving. You gave me the freedom to go where I wanted. I was not able to return your kindness and love then. Every day, you were so kind and gentle and loving and you did not give up on me! I kept this wall around myself against you. In the beginning, I was writing letters to the father of my baby in the hope that he would rescue me from what I thought of as my punishment here! Slowly , I came to realize that this was not a punishment but an opportunity. A chance for a new life with a man who is the most kind, gentle and loving I have ever known. You have shown your love in so many ways while receiving nothing in return from me! You have cared enough to listen to me and to try to make things better for my sake! No other man has ever done that for me! For my part, I continued to keep my distance from you even after my feelings toward you were warming. I’m not sure why. Maybe, I thought it was too good to be true! When you told me that you loved me and my baby on that day and gave me the ring, I dared to hope that this could work! Ray, you have taught me a lot about love that is freely given in the last seven months. Thank you for believing in me and not giving up on me! Any other man would have given up long ago! After Daniel was born, your loving way with him let me know for sure that your love is true and that with you, Daniel and I will be loved and protected. You are a good and loving man, Ray and I love you so much! You are my hero and I am yours!
Ray, loudly and excitedly, jumping up!: “Ya Hoo!” I love you Livy! Does this mean you are going to stay for sure? Livy had not to this time fully communicated her desire to stay permanently.
The baby is awakened by Ray’s yell and begins to cry. Both Ray and Livy put Daniel back to sleep.
After the baby is asleep again, they continue quietly.
Livy: “Ray, where you are, I want to be! You are the most loving, wonderful man I have ever known!!”
Ray: “You have made me the happiest man alive from the first day you came. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Livy! I love you!”
They embrace in a long kiss.
Pause.
Ray: “Do you remember in the beginning when you asked me why I agreed to this marriage?”
Livy: “Yes, I do.”
Ray: “I told you that I believed that it was God’s will for us. That is only one of the reasons, though. The other reason I agreed to this marriage was that I had this dream of being married to a beautiful woman who would deeply love me. I also dreamed that this woman and I had children and I was a good father. I have also prayed about this for a long time and believed that I could be a good husband and father for a long time. I saw no opportunity to make this dream come true, though. That is, until Pastor Case talked to me about you. When I first saw you, I couldn’t believe how fine and beautiful you were. You far surpassed anything I could imagine in any dream. I think I loved you and wanted you from the very first day!”
Livy: “That is really beautiful, Ray! Thank you for telling me that!”
Ray: “I’ve been thinking that we should agree on some things.
First, we hold absolutely nothing from each other. We share everything between us openly ; no secrets. We are not two separate people anymore! Pause.
Second, if there are any angry feelings that happen during any day, we talk it out and forgive each other before the end of that day. Pause.
Third, we let absolutely nothing come between us. Not family, not children, nothing! Pause.
What do you think, Livy?” Ray is smiling, waiting for Livy’s response.
Livy, with a warm smile: “Yes, I agree, but there is one more I would like to add. We sleep together, never in separate bedrooms from now on. I love you Ray! You know, it is wonderfully exhilarating to finally be saying that to you! Plan to hear me say that often!”
Livy: Now that we are going to be totally open with each other, I have to tell you about something that happened with the truck last Saturday. As you know, I went to see the girls. Florie also wanted me to meet a friend of hers, Walter. They wanted to go for a ride, so the women got into the cab of the truck and Walter was in back. I recognized Walter as one of the POWs. I dropped the girls off and drove Walter to our house. I gave him an opportunity to steal the truck which was out of gas and also one of your suits. He stole the truck and I then called the police so that he would be captured. What I was burning when you arrived was a locket from Edward because I then knew that of my life was over and Walter’s uniform. I’m sorry! I will be more careful in the future.
Ray: It sounds to me as though your friends tried to fool you. They put you in danger! You were very resourceful in the way you solved the problem. It was really risky, don’t you think? The German could have hurt you! But I guess all’s well that ends well!
Ray: “I love you, Livy! Plan to hear that often! We should get some sleep before Daniel wakes up for his midnight feeding! Good night.”
Livy: “Good night, sweet prince!”
They embrace on the bed and fall asleep in each other’s arms.
Ray, Livy and Daniel are in church the next day, Sunday, for Daniel’s baptism. Pastor Case baptizes Daniel with Martha and Hank also standing up as Daniel’s God-parents. After the service, all of the church members congratulate the new parents and offer their support to Ray and Livy. Church is followed by Dinner at Hank & Martha’s house. Martha’s daughter, Ruth, volunteers to take care of Daniel while Livy help’s Martha in the kitchen. Hank and Ray are talking in the living room. The boys are out playing.
Livy: Do you remember that night before Thanksgiving when I came over and told you about the letters?
Martha: “Yes, I do.”
Livy: “You asked me how I felt about Ray. I wasn’t sure then. Things are much clearer now. I love him so much and I feel very fortunate that he feels the same about me! A lot has changed in a short time. I very much want to please him and there is one area where I am particularly weak. Could you help me with something?
Martha: I have prayed that it would work out for you two! What do you need help with?
Livy: Ray thinks I am a pitiful cook and he’s right. I have found that being a good cook is so much more than following directions in a recipe book. Would you teach me how to cook for a family? Your meals are always so well planned and delicious. Maybe I could work with you as you prepare meals in order to get better at it. We could get to know each other more at the same time.
Martha: I think we can start right now. And maybe Ray and you could come over on Wednesday nights and also Sundays for dinner. We’ll cook together on those days. In between, you can practice on him.
Livy: You are such a kind and giving person. I wanted to also thank you for all of the support you freely gave to me from the time I arrived. I can’t express to you how much that has meant to me!”
Martha: “You are family!”
The dinner was enjoyed by all. Ray has been learning about the Anasazi civilization in Colorado and cliff dwellings in New Mexico. He has read about that in a book he got from the library and mentions that he and Livy may be visiting some of those sites next summer. The conversation then turned to the discussion about the latest happenings in the war. There has been more good news seeming to indicate that the War could end soon. And, of course, there was conversation about the plan for next year’s crops. After the pleasant visit with Hank and Martha’s family, Ray, Livy and Daniel climb into their truck for the return home. Daniel is asleep in Livy’s arms.
She asks Ray: “Ray, at church this morning, it seemed that everyone in the congregation was so supportive and kind. They offered so much support. In my father’s church, a baptism primarily involved the immediate family of the child. The expression of congregational support was there but it was not nearly as personal as I saw today. Why is there so much more support in this church?”
Ray: “Ours is a small church. It is small enough that all of the members know each other quite well. People recognize that they need each other out here. Do you remember my answer when you asked why there wouldn’t be any talk about the birth date?”
Livy: “Yes, I do!”
Ray: “Well, has there been any talk?”
Livy: “No, not that I know of.”
Ray: “Everyone in our congregation wants the best for every other member. Each member feels a responsibility to other members of the congregation. The children of the congregation are watched over and cared about by all of the members. Danny will have many people who care about him and will be watching over him!”
Livy was silent, thinking about what Ray had said. If what he said was true, this was an excellent place to bring up Danny.
After returning home and while Livy was putting Danny to bed, Ray wrote some words down on a piece of colored paper. These words had been in his mind all day. He put the paper in his pocket. This love note was the first of the thousands he would write to her in their future years together. It read.
“You saved me from a life empty,
And filled my life with possibility,
You made my greatest dream come true,
When you told me, “I LOVE YOU”!
Livy, I Love You!
I’ll be thinking of you all day, every day!
Ray was up Monday morning long before Livy because Livy had had a difficult night with Daniel the night before. Livy awoke to find Ray’s note pinned to his pillow. She was deeply touched by those words of love and realized how much she was blessed to have this man, her husband. She was also impressed that Ray could write something so simple and yet so sweet. When Ray came in for breakfast, Livy made the best meal she could and she made Ray feel very much appreciated starting with a long embrace and kiss.
Livy made the plaque to be hung above the head of their bed that day in between caring for Daniel. She used a picture frame. Instead of a picture, she inserted a piece of parchment paper she had gotten in town containing the words she wrote using the calligraphy she had learned long ago. The hanging read.
- No Secrets
- Forgive Before Night
- Nothing Comes Between Us
- No Separate Bedroom
May Our Love Flourish Always!
She presented it to Ray that night and together they placed it on the wall in its intended place above the headboard of their bed.