Opal Reflections
Perspectives through Prose, Poetry and Photography
Raggedy Ann’s ‘Happily Ever After’
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That’s when she noticed him for the first time – the first time in a decade.
As ten year-olds, they had known each other and ‘liked’ each other,  when they co-starred in their 4th grade Christmas skit. Even then, she felt compelled to be near this cute little boy; so in response to Sister Grace’s threat to recast her role, she behaved and stopped giggling. Together they played their parts perfectly, never missing a cue.
Now, as he rose to take on the “Turkey Challenge” she noticed him – again – remembering cute Robert; wondering if he remembered too. His buddies were cheering and hollering, as he stood on the brink of making the ‘Haynes Lanes’ Hall of Fame’. Retrieving his ball for the third time, he stood straight and tall.
She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
He carefully took his practised place, just to at the right of the center mark, trusting that his natural curve would pull his ball right into the pocket, like a magnet sucking in iron shavings. Â In the pocket! Â
As he fielded congratulatory high-fives, their eyes met. Â She smiled. Â He smiled back.
Three years later, on the eve of their wedding day, he gave her ‘something old’, his Mother’s string of pearls. In the bottom of the box, lay a folded, yellowed-with-age scrap of paper – his forth-grade diary entry. Tears welled up, as she read the scribbled words:
“Today I got my seat changed. Â My girlfriend has red hair and red freckles.”
Yesterday, Raggedy Ann and her handsome Christmas Eve hero celebrated their 46th Wedding Anniversary!
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Written in response to week 96 Trifecta Challenge:
This week we are asking you to have a little fun with us. The English language is chock full of words with unexpected meanings, and this week we’re giving you one to play with.
TURKEY
1: a large North American gallinaceous bird (Meleagris gallopavo) that is domesticated in most parts of the world
2: failure, flop; especially : a theatrical production that has failed
3: three successive strikes in bowling
4: a stupid, foolish, or inept person
17 Comments on “Raggedy Ann’s ‘Happily Ever After’”
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Lighthouse in the Mist, Cape May, NJ
Bandit
Festive View from the Pub, Peddler’s Village – Lahaska, PA.
Home Sweet Home
Opal Reflections 
i ‘d like to add, that if any of you are doubtful at all, take it from me ,i lived it in real time as i am raggedy ann’s sister , i was there 4years behind but there through it all..and how do we remember back so long ago. like a clear day. only you my sister joanne. i so remember sister thomas too
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My dear Sister, Eileen…yes you were there, not only as a little sister but as Maid of Honor. Today, you – with your five grand-daughters, and I – with five grandsons, are still making memories! Love you 😉
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Seriously? This is a true story? This is so sweet. I thought I was doing well with having known my husband since we were 16. You’ve got us beat by a long shot! Congratulations on a lifetime of love, and thanks for linking up.
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Sounds like you did pretty well. Kudos to you and your hubby. These days, longevity in relationships is not as valued as it once was. I do think that because we came from the same place, our shared values were the mortar to our marriage. Today, he is that same person from the 4th grade. A lifetime of love….I like that!
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Ohhh, so sweet! Especially since it’s true! I loved it.
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This is wonderful
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Wow. I loved this start to finish, the note is perfect in it’s factual nature. And the fact that this is true is even more amazing. How wonderful for you both!
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Thanks…and we still have the mimeographed copy of the script from that Christmas play. Yes, it’s very true. Lots of days of our lives shared, but life is so special when someone ‘gets’ you and loves you…flaws and all. Thanks.
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That is so cute!
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Even after you’ve heard it a million times? 😋
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This is so sweet! I just love a good love story…especially when it’s true 🙂
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Thanks, Janna.
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This is a true story? Oh my gods that is adorable.
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Totally true…we met in 4th grade, we were in the Christmas play, we always ‘liked’ each other, and yes – we are married 46 years this week.
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That paragraph with the jargon… wow! And the diary entry is sooooo sweet!
Lovely little story, Joanne!
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Kymmi – thanks. The jargon came flooding back as I recalled our years in the young people’s bowling league. Trust me – I never had a ‘turkey’, but he was a good bowler.
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Ahhhhhhhhhh! Congratulations!!!!!!!!
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