Never Give Up
 
by Ladyfire Editor Debora Myers

This inspirational story of true love proves to us that love can come when you least expect it. If you think that the circumstances in your life will inhibit any chance of finding the love of your life, you may be in for a surprise. Rae thought that she had no chance at ever finding her true love but she always kept that glimmer of hope alive in her heart. The following story shows us to keep that spark of love alive in our hearts and to never give up.
 
Cinderella After 50
 
Rae was washing the dishes. Why didn’t I wear those gloves? My hands are burning. This had been a doozy of a year for her. “Donna, did you pick up the mail?” She looked at Donna, her 19- year old daughter, standing in the hallway with her baby boy perched on her hip. “Yeah mom, no check. What are we gonna do?” The baby boy had a handful of his mother’s hair and was yanking it in rhythm with his baby chant. “We’ll get by until then. Go into the garden and collect some greens for supper.”
 
Rae’s marriage of 32 years had finally ended, the last few years were strained and she was miserable. It had just fizzled out and left her feeling like she was in a vacuum, a void. Her pregnant daughter had returned home the same month that her husband had moved out. Such timing..She thought, how can I raise another child. I’m exhausted, and I’ve done that already.
 
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise; Rae immersed herself into her grandson, the light of her life. His big brown eyes and dark skin contrasted with her green eyed, blonde haired daughter. Donna had tried to strike out on her own a year and a half ago. She returned home pregnant and broken hearted. Had fallen head over heals with a man that turned and ran when she announced her pregnancy to him. Donna just thinks with her heart. Never takes enough time to sort things out and expects people to love as deeply as she does.
 
Rae thought her golden years were supposed to bring rest and relaxation, a reward for all the sacrifices she had made for her family. Did she ever have that wrong! She and Donna had to clean houses to get by. Dragging the baby, diaper bag and play pen with them. They worked all over the county. Driving throughout the smoggy city to get from one $40.00 job to the next. So much for my golden years. Mother and daughter scraped and scavenged to get by. They collected their client’s hand-me-downs and resold them at yard sales. They stopped by the furniture shop to get scrap wood for the fireplace and turned the flower- beds into a vegetable garden.
 
Rae was slapping the tortillas into the frying pan, making the quesadillas her grandbaby loved so much. “Where are those greens?” She got her answer as her Chubby, round faced baby climbed up the steps into the kitchen, his little fists full of kale leaves. Singing a little song “ nana, nana, mama nana.” He stretches his arms up to his Nana and offers her the greens.
 
Rae scoops up the baby and shows him the quesadillas in the pan. “OOOOOOO..bites .” “Let’s wash those greens little man, you’re going to eat those too.”
 
Rae looks at her grandson and kisses him all over his face. “Mom, can you watch Denny tonight?” There is a candlelight walk in honor of Martin Luther King. “Of course dear, you go to your thing tonight, I’m not doing anything.”
 
As Rae lies in bed, tears well up as she looks at her life situation. When is it going to be my turn? I spent my whole life, raising my children, doting on my husband, for what? Yes I do have nice kids, I rarely see my other three, and if it weren’t for Denny, my Donna would still be in Arizona. I would be all-alone. She hardly dared to think about Donna and the baby moving on someday. They gave her a reason to keep going. Rae cried herself to sleep again. Her hot tears soaked the pillow. Will I ever find love again? How can I, at 50, even meet a man? It seemed so hopeless.
 
Time seemed to be slipping by so quickly. Rae’s needs were all but lost due to the fact that just making the mortgage payment and getting food on the table took all she could muster. She was sitting at the table one evening paying the bills when Donna, with Denny on her hip came charging in, excited about something. “Mom, I met an incredible person today at the meeting. He’s coming over tonight to give me a tarot card reading. He said he would read for you too if there was time.” What is Donna getting into now? Mildly annoyed, but intrigued at the same time Rae replies, “ You know your friends are always welcome.”
 
There was a knock on the door. A small built man in his 40’s stood on the front steps. He flashed a smile and introduced himself as Carlos. His high energy was infectious and Rae immediately felt comfortable with him.
 
The three of them sat at the kitchen table. After some small talk they jumped right into the reading. Carlos shuffled the cards and looked directly at Rae.
 
He laid the cards out and studied them for a few minutes. Rae was a bit anxious as skepticism crept into her. Carlos looked up and smiled that smile of his. “ There’s a man coming into your life and he’ll hit you like a freight train.” Donna lifted her brows at her mother. “That sounds promising mom. What do you know? Maybe Mr. Wonderful is out there looking for you after all?” “This sounds a bit too good to be true, Carlos.” That’s all Rae said. Carlos just smiled and said, “maybe.”
 
About a year from her tarot reading, Rae saw Donna talking to one of the neighbors at the monthly yard sale. Donna came into the house teary eyed and obviously upset. “What is the matter?” asked Rae.” “Mom, Mrs. Butler is sick and needs some help. She wanted to know if we could clean house for her.” Of course we can, what’s the problem?” “She has just been diagnosed with cancer!”
 
Rae had known Mrs. Butler for a long time. Their children went to the same schools and were in the same scout troop for years.
 
House cleaning evolved into nursing care as Mrs. Butler’s health deteriorated. The two women became very close as Rae cared for her and Mr. Butler. Mr. Butler was devastated and having a hard time coping with the fact that he would most likely lose his wife, the love of his life for 40 years. Rae stayed strong and stood by the Butlers until the very end. As the cancer worsened and Mrs. Butler slipped closer to the edge many of her friends pulled away, not able to watch her suffer. Rae stayed and helped Mr. Butler; they talked long into the evenings, working out feelings, trying to cope with the coming loss of friend and wife. Mrs. Butler passed away with her husband, Rae and another friend at her side.
 
With every end follows a beginning.
 
Six months passed, Rae was back in her routine when she received a phone call. It was Mr. Butler. “Rae, will you join me for dinner? You’re the only one I can talk to. She agreed to dinner and they went out. Charles and Rae talked until the restaurant closed. The waiter asked them to leave. They sat on a bench outside the restaurant in the park and opened their hearts to one another. It was now 2 am. A patrolman asked them to go home as it was so late.
 
Several days passed and Charles called her again. They went out several times a week, talking and sharing late into the night. After several dates Rae realized that she was falling head over heels in love. She was scared and excited at the same time. She had saved enough money to take Charles out. They went out to breakfast and talked into the afternoon. They walked on the beach together, hand in hand, tossing their shoes on the beach; they sat together in the warm sand and watched the sun set. Charles took her hands in his, saying, “I feel as if I have waited a lifetime to finally find you." You fill me with such joy and life. I’m falling in love with you.”
 
Charles drove Rae home. As they said good night they both agreed that they had been brought together for a reason. It was meant to be that they both have a second chance at love. It was as if a veil had been lifted and they could see each other as lovers.
 
He walked Rae to the door and kissed her for the first time. The passion welled and they stood at the door for a long time, embracing each other as they passionately kissed. “I love you Rae”! “ I love you Charles, Rae breathlessly replied. They had to tear away from each other as Rae unlocked the door and entered her home. Donna walked up as Rae, face flushed, tried to catch her breath. “All right young lady where have you been? It’s after one o-clock in the morning.” Donna was beside herself giggling, “I’ve waited a long time to say that mom.”
 
Charles and Rae were married 6 months later. Charles introduced Rae to Royal Scottish Country Dancing. They danced and partied several times a week. The wedding was a dream wedding. Everyone wore traditional Scottish attire.
 
Charles and Rae danced and whirled for hours. People feasted and laughed and cried with joy to see two people so much in love. A harpist played soft music while Rae and Charles exchanged their vows.
 
Rae and Charles sold their homes and moved to Oregon, where they bought their dream home. Their children and grandchildren are all one big happy family and even Rae’s ex-husband and wife join in the family festivities. Donna was married shortly after her mother and finally had the family she always wanted. They all lived happily ever after. This is a true story.
 
This article is written by Debora Myers, Editor-In-Chief ofLadyfire, the award-winning community for modern women. Featuring: Literature, romance and love stories, articles of empowerment, inspiration, women's issues, health, self-esteem, advice, horoscopes, chat and stellar recipes. Visit Ladyfire at http://www.ladyfire.com