MY, WHAT BIG MUSCLES YOU HAVE, DOCTOR!

"Midsommar" 

"Did I ever tell you about my dear friend Anna Marie?" Christy stood at the head of the classroom looking at the
children. "She originally comes from a country in Europe - Sweden. As all countries on the old continent, Sweden
has some special traditions and customs. Hmm, does anyone know what special day is today?" The children looked
at Christy curiously, but no one dared to make a guess. "Today we have "midsommar" as Anna Marie would say.
The longest day of the year - and it's said that this day and night have some magical power." 

Ruby Mae blurted out: "Why, Miz Christy, wanna tell us more about that all?" Christy smiled: "I even thought we
could make that a school project. Instead of going on with our geography lesson, we will learn some more about the
Swedish midsummer tradition. I want you all to go out now and pick seven different kinds of flowers. Be sure to
only take one of each kind - and don't pull out the roots. For what do you wait? Go now and then come back to the
schoolhouse." 

The children rushed to the door, running out on the meadow eagerly searching for the most beautiful flowers.
Christy herself joined them helping the younger ones to pluck the beautiful white, yellow, violet, blue, red and pink
flowers. After a short while they all assembled around Christy's desk showing off their flower treasures. "Oh, you
all made such wonderful choices - I haven't seen any more beautiful flowers all my life! Would you like to know why
I made you searching for them?" 

Christy tenderly looked into the faces of the children standing around her - that was why she had come to Cutter
Gap. Every day she thanked God for bringing her to that place and for letting her feel the love of the people living
in the cove. They had become her family, the cove her home. Thinking of her arrival during a stormy night, Christy
slightly blushed remembering the strong arms of David safely bringing her into the mission. Yet another memory
popped up in her mind. There was the doctor lifting her up with ease bringing her to safety on the river bank. Two
man with strong arms and big hearts had somehow rescued her. How lucky she was having these two wonderful
men in her life. Christy couldn't help but wonder what future would hold in store for her. The Swedish midsummer
tradition might reveal that secret and make her life path clearer than it seemed to be right now. 

"Miz Christy? Miz Christy! Do ya think of my delicious possum steak?" Ruby Mae grinned. Smiling Christy quit
her daydream with an inaudible sigh and explained: "Well, I made you searching for the flowers to introduce a
particular Swedish tradition to the class. Take your seven different kinds of flowers and wrap them into some piece
of cloth. Put that bundle under your pillow when you go to sleep tonight. According to an old Swedish belief you will
then dream of your future husband or wife." Excited the children began to chatter making guesses who their future
life partners would be. Christy was easily swept along with all the joy and excitement around her. Maybe she
should give that tradition a try, too. 

At night Christy sat down on her bed looking at the colorful flowers spread on the white handkerchief on her lap. In
her mind's eye she saw David's handsome face and then Neil's loving eyes. Christy sighed and put the flower
bundle underneath her pillow. Slowly she lay down smelling the flowers' fragrance. After Anna Marie had first told
her about the tradition, the two of them had gone out and picked some flowers together. However, the next day
Christy couldn't remember any dream. How disappointed she had been. Now it was different. There were David
and Neil. David and Neil. Neil. Yes, Neil. Dear beloved Neil. Neil with those irresistible eyes. Those tender eyes.
Neil. 

Falling asleep, Christy's breathing became even and her eyes slowly moved underneath the closed lids. After a
while she smiled. The smile grew more radiant until Christy finally murmured: "What big muscles you have,
Doctor!" Her cheeks turned red, her lips slightly parted as if she would await a kiss, and then, suddenly, Christy
opened her eyes still smiling. She reached out for the handkerchief with the flowers under her pillow and walked
over to the window. After she had opened it, the fresh night air cooled her reddened face. There were millions of
stars twinkling on the clear night sky. Raising the handkerchief with the flowers to her cheek, she hold it close to
her - just as close as she would once hold the hand of her future husband to her cheek. "Good night, my love",
Christy whispered. In thoughts she added: "This magical night has shown my destiny - and yours. Ours. Our
destiny together." 

by Birgit. :)