Even If They Don't Ride Horses Anymore

Aunt Daisy & Caleb. Episode 1

January 1, 1900

The sun was setting in the western rural Kansas sky, such a pretty sunset to celebrate the new century! The oranges and yellows and reds turning to purples and deep blues put a smile on Jacob’s face as he sat around the old farmhouse kitchen table. Ones he loved right there with him! His grandkids were playing in the next room and the grownups were left to share their thoughts. From Our Front Porch had been Madeline’s dream, and Betty Lou’s, with the inaugural issue published that day. Caleb and Aunt Daisy had contributed so much to making it a reality. On their honeymoon now, the talk turned to thoughts of them and their special love story.

“I’ll never forget the day Caleb brought me Aunt Daisy’s letter, the one with all the particulars about when she’d be comin’ for a visit and all,” Jacob remembered vividly and began to laugh. “He was so curious about it being a woman’s handwriting. Then he found out she was a relative and it didn’t seem as exciting to him anymore.”

“Remember at that time Caleb didn’t even know what an Aunt Daisy was,” Betty Lou added. “What a sweet story it all turned out to be. I am happy for them both.”

“Aunt Daisy took care of everything for everyone else her whole life,” Willie said, shaking his head almost as in disbelief. “What she wanted, what she liked, where she wanted to go, what she thought, it all was kept bottled up inside her. How she gave up her life for others, many who never showed any appreciation, just amazes me. I’m glad for her, that for once, she gets to live her life.”

“What I can’t believe,” Miss Morgan began, somehow no one could quite get around to calling her Lula Belle yet, “is how it was that first look they had of each other. I think they were both in love right then and there! So romantic indeed!” She seemed on the verge of swooning when Jacob jumped in quickly to make an announcement after taking something out of his pocket.

Jacob cleared his throat and began. “When Caleb asked me for Aunt Daisy’s hand in marriage, he gave me this letter to share with all of you after their wedding. I have one to share from Aunt Daisy as well. They are grateful to us for inviting Aunt Daisy here and now their lives together will be forever weaved into our family. They wanted to give us something from their hearts to thank us.”

Miss Morgan began to swoon once more as Jacob read Caleb’s letter out loud to them.

My new family, thank you for allowing me to meet, get to know, and love your Aunt Daisy. When my wife died, my life was filled with sadness until dear Daisy came along with her kind ways and her sweet love. What a special lady! I have never met anyone who always puts others before themselves like she does. Who could not love her and want to give her all the world that one could! We are older I know, and perhaps have too little time left to spend together, even though I feel so young and alive again. I want to thank you all for that. You have made this old man very happy. With kind regards and love, Caleb Nelson

Jacob paused for a moment and then asked, “Betty Lou, would you please do the honor of reading Aunt Daisy’s letter to us? “

Betty Lou wiped the tears from her eyes, waited a moment, then began.

My kind family, how my life has been changed with your invitation to visit your dusty little town in rural Kansas! You have taken me into your hearts and made mine so full of gladness it could just burst sometimes! Caleb is the sweet man that my life had been missing all the years of my doing for others and thinking little about my own concerns. Please don’t misunderstand, it is so important to care for people, do what you can for them, put others first, always genuinely and always kindly and lovingly. It became my role in life, my life’s work. Love was something that was always for the others and not for me. Until Caleb’s love. This old auntie will be forever grateful you remembered me and asked me to come. Love always, Aunt Daisy

As the womenfolk smiled through the tears in their eyes and the menfolk quickly wiped away tears of their own, darkness began to replace twilight in that dusty little town in rural Kansas on that very first day of the new century.

This episode was inspired by the song “Until Your Love”, written and sung by Del Way. Click here to listen.