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| Eternal Love |
On a beautiful autumn day in Benton, Arkansas, Lois Pepper, the eldest
of the Pepper family, stood witness as her parents' coffins were gently
lowered into their final resting places. Horace, her father, had succumbed to
a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, and Esther, her mother, passed away the
following day due to a failing heart. It was as though Esther's heart couldn't
bear the loss of her beloved husband. Their sixty-five-year journey together
ended just as beautifully as it had begun.
The enduring love story of Horace and Esther Pepper was a true testament to
the Pepper family's enduring legacy. Their children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren were well acquainted with the origins of this love
story. Horace, a World War II army pilot, and his friends had stopped by the
USO dance one evening, where Esther, a junior hostess, was gracefully
dancing with another soldier. Horace couldn't help but be captivated by the
beautiful blonde. As their eyes met across the room, a connection was forged
that would last a lifetime.
After the dance, they met in the middle of the floor and shared a dance,
their hearts intertwining as they chatted the night away. Though it was
against the rules to spend so much time with one person, Esther didn't seem
to care. She felt an undeniable chemistry and knew in her heart that Horace
would be her husband. When the night came to a close, Horace gave her his
contact information, and to his surprise, Esther not only wrote to him
regularly but also sent care packages. Her photograph became a cherished
presence on his dashboard, and he even renamed his plane "Sweet
Esther."
After the war, Horace and Esther married and settled in Benton. He took a
job at a local aircraft manufacturing facility. Esther was a devoted
stay-at-home mother. Over the years, they lovingly raised four children and
weathered life's trials and tribulations together.
After the funeral service, family and friends gathered at the Pepper family
home. Lois, lost in her thoughts, gazed out of her childhood bedroom window
as a gentle rain began to fall. But outside, the great-grandchildren
continued to run and play, a testament to the enduring joy the Pepper family
brought to all who knew them. Lois eventually made her way to her parents'
bedroom, which remained unchanged. It was as if her parents were merely away
for a moment, though Lois knew that wasn't the case.
Approaching the miniature picture shelf, Lois half-smiled and picked up a
photo of her mother, serving food at the church community center. Reverend
Graves, appearing in the doorway, shared his thoughts, “She was never
selfish with her time.”
Lois sniffled and replied, "She always had time for everyone. I don't know
how she did it. This house was a sanctuary for those in need, whether it was
food, child care, or a helping hand. Everyone came to the Peppers."
Reverend Graves gently added, “God gave her a good heart.”
Lois, her emotions heavy, sighed, “Then it gave out.”
Reverend Graves consoled her, “It was her time. God knows what was best for
her. They adored each other.”
Lois shook her head and returned the photo to its place. "I
know."
The reverend patted her shoulder and suggested, “Why don't you join the
family downstairs? Just remember that just as God watched over them in life,
He continues to do so in the afterlife."
"Go ahead, Reverend. I'll be down shortly."
"Take your time," he reassured her before leaving the room.
Lois lovingly picked up another photograph of her parents, smiling
cheek to cheek, and whispered, “It's comforting to know you two are still
inseparable. We love you."
Lois gently kissed the photo of her parents and placed it back on the
shelf. She stood there for a moment, as if silently sharing one last
heartfelt moment with them. Then, with a deep breath, she made her way
downstairs to join the rest of the family. The laughter of her
great-grandchildren and the warmth of her loved ones awaited her, a
beautiful reminder that the legacy of love her parents had left behind would
continue to thrive in their hearts and memories.