Dub and I go outside to take care of the animals on the farm after ma leaves to meet her friends in Windenburg. It’s time to help Dub overcome his fear of bunnies before it becomes a phobia. We enter the fenced area where we keep the chickens and rabbits.
Kai: Can you say hello to the rooster and chick, Dub?
Wade: Hello, roo-sta! Hello, chick!
Kai: Good job. Now I need you to help daddy say hello to the bunnies.
Wade: No bunny. I don’t like the bunny.
Kai: But that’s not nice. And it makes the bunnies sad. So we should name the bunnies and be nice to them too. We can call this one Amigo because he is our friend. Can you say hello to Amigo?
Dub steps over slowly. I can still see some fear in his eyes, but he gains confidence after seeing the bunny sitting calmly.
Wade: Hello, Migo.
Kai: See, Dub. Now the bunny is happy.
Dub begins to giggle.
Wade: Happy, Migo! Daddy, me, and Migo play!
Kai: Yes, you and Amigo can play, but you must be gentle. Okay?
I step away to give Dub some space to discover for himself that the bunnies on our farm are nothing to be feared. But I keep a close eye on him to ensure he doesn’t play rough with the bunny. I’m happy to see him talk to and laugh with it instead. He may have even made a new friend.
In Windenburg, Peri, Wild, and Kimmie arrive at the old mausoleum.
Prosperity: Thank you both for coming. It means a lot to me.
Kimmie: We’re glad to be here for you.
Wild doesn’t look so glad to be there, but it’s understandable. Facing one’s mortality is never much fun. They enter, and Peri leads the way to Waddell’s resting place.
Wild and Kimmie sit close by, ready to support Peri any way they can as she approaches Waddell’s space.
Kimmie: I love that portrait of him, Peri. Did you do it?
Prosperity: Yes, not long after I moved to Windenburg.
Kimmie: It’s a true masterpiece.
Prosperity: Thank you. I’ve always been proud of it.
Peri turns quietly and stares at Waddell’s urn. It’s hard to think about the good times spent with this man over the years – the laughter, the woohoo, even at times the tears, being reduced to ashes and memories. Nothing in the world is as hard as facing the reality that all of that is gone for good.
Peri has never been very religious, but she can see why people take comfort in the thought of an afterlife. When her time finally comes, will she see Waddell, her mother, and her father again? She can only hope.
Prosperity: *to Waddell’s urn* See you later, baby. Save a place for me at the table.
Peri stands at Waddell’s urn for a bit longer. Eventually, she sighs and turns away.
Kimmie and Wild have scattered to give her some space. Finally, she finds Wild in the small chapel. She walks over and sits beside her.
Wildflower: I don’t envy you, Peri. I can’t imagine saying goodbye to Kimmie like this. I don’t want to imagine it.
Peri isn’t offended by Wild’s words. She understands perfectly where her friend is coming from.
Prosperity: I don’t blame you. But we’re at that age, Wild. We’ll be saying goodbye to a lot of people soon.
Wildflower: I know. *long pause* Do you regret not marrying him?
Prosperity: I don’t know. Losing him is hard no matter what.
Wildflower: Sometimes, I think Kimmie and I should go ahead and tie the knot.
Prosperity: It’s not too late, Wild. But honestly, a loss is a loss. And being married doesn’t change that. Our time here is borrowed. When the due date approaches, there’s nothing we can do.
Wildflower: I know. It’s just that –
Wild is too emotional to continue. She gets up and leaves the chapel.
Kimmie: Don’t feel bad, Peri. She needed to hear that.
Kimmie gets up and takes Wild’s spot on the bench.
Kimmie: She’s been obsessing over our health lately. She’s terrified of one of us getting sick and is constantly making all of these green concoctions, thinking it’s the secret to warding off death. *chuckles* But I swear, it’s the crap she has me drinking that’ll finally take me out.
Prosperity: Oh, wow. I’d be the first to admit that getting older is hard. But, in a way – it’s also a privilege.
Kimmie: I agree. But enough about that. Tell me more about your plans for your house.
Prosperity: In a minute. I need another moment alone.
Kimmie: No problem. Take all the time you need.
Kimmie gets up to leave, giving Peri more time to reflect and pray.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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