Twenty-five years later
Family members crowded the auditorium to celebrate the graduation exercises of their loved ones.
Norah and Mason watched in pride as their firstborn, Anna Marie, named for Mason’s mother, walked to the platform to receive her diploma. Excitement mounted at the climax of the day’s program, when several members of the seminary board presided over a commissioning service for three of the graduates.
When Anna Marie walked forward as one of the participants, Mason took Norah’s hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed her trembling fingers. Before the prayer of commitment was made by the president of the seminary, Anna Marie said, “With your permission, Sir, I’d like to have my mother, Norah King, stand by my side. Because I’m living the dream she had before I was born. She’s never admitted it, but I believe she prayed that God would set me apart for His service. When I leave next week for Africa, I’m not going only as an ambassador for Christ, but I’ll represent my mother, too.”
Norah’s eyes were misty, but she was also proud as she stood beside her beloved daughter. Anna Marie knelt with the other two students, and as Norah placed her hand on her daughter’s head, she surveyed the family who’d gathered to share this blessed moment in her life. All of her siblings, and many of their descendants, were in the audience. Her twenty-two-year-old son, Chris, and his fiancée, sat beside Mason.
The years she and Mason had shared flashed through Norah’s mind. They’d been very good years! Her association with H & H had been a true missionary endeavor. After Anna Marie was born, Norah had limited her role in the program, but she and Mason had continued to provide the ranch and the horses. Eventually the program had become so successful that H & H bought the Bar 8 to use as a year-round therapeutic facility for handicapped people of all ages.
Although Mason had doubted his ability to be a good parent, he needn’t have worried. It was almost as if he’d regained his youth when he became a father. He’d given the kids guidance in preparing their 4-H projects. He’d never missed a ball game when either of the children played. And he’d provided for them financially by purchasing large insurance policies that matured when Anna Marie and Chris were ready for college. Although he’d nearly driven Norah to distraction during the final months of each pregnancy, fearing that she wouldn’t survive, he spent every minute in the delivery room with her. He suffered every pain she experienced and was there to rejoice when she gave birth to their daughter and son.
Ah, Mason, she thought, how God has blessed us! For not only had He sent them a daughter with a missionary zeal equal to Norah’s, but Mason had heirs for the ranch. Intercepting her glance, Mason mouthed, “I love you,” and the song that had its beginning in Norah’s heart the first time she’d met Mason exploded into a mighty crescendo.