Marmee-isms #8 ~ The Tide Went Out Easily

So the spring days came & went, the sky grew clearer, the earth greener, the flowers were up fair & early, & the birds came back in time to say good-by to Beth, who, like a tired but trustful child, clung to the hands that had led her all her life, as Father & Mother guided her tenderly through the Valley of the Shadow, & gave her up to God.

Seldom, except in books, do the dying utter memorable words, see visions or depart w/beatified countenances; & those who have sped many parting souls know that to most the end comes as naturally & simply as sleep. As Beth had hoped, the "tide went out easily;" & in the dark hour before the dawn, on the bosom where she had drawn her first breath, she quietly drew her last, w/no farewell but one loving look, one little sigh.

With tears & prayers & tender hands, Mother & sisters made her ready for the long sleep that pain would never mar again, seeing w/grateful eyes the beautiful serenity that soon replaced the pathetic patience that had wrung their hearts so long, & feeling, w/reverent joy, that to their darling death was a benignant angel, not a phantom full of dread.

When morning came, for the first time in many months the fire was out, Jo's place was empty [beside Beth], & the room was very still. But a bird sang blithely on a budding bough, close by, the snow-drops blossomed freshly at the window, & the spring sunshine streamed in like a benediction over the placid face upon the pillow, ~ a face so full of painless peace that those who loved it best smiled through their tears, & thanked God that Beth was well at last.

Little Women ~ Chapter 40

{Dedicated to my mother ~ Lorene Chandler, Feb. 1930 - Sept. 2011 ~ Who's "tide went out easily" as we had prayed it would. PTL.}

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><