The leaves were falling crimson red and fruit peel orange as Jane went for a walk in the park. The year was 1920 and it had been the best year of her life to date. She had gotten married to a WW1 vet that she had met in the army hospital where she would visit her brother, Michael. William "Billy" Anderson would recover from his war wounds, Michael would not. Her poor brother was one of the thousands if not millions of soldiers who would die not in battle, but of infection.
Michael's death was a crushing blow to Jane. Aside from the fact she was incredibly close to her brother, he was the last surving family member. Their father had collapsed and passed from a heart attack on the day the Titanic sunk. Their mother was already in poor health by the time of Mr. Banks' death, possible cancer for her, and she passed away only six months afterwards. Jane had just gotten to accepting her parents' deaths as she learned of the war and Michael's enlistment. She pleaded with him to not run off to war, that the thought of losing him too was unbearable to her. He was going to do it anyway because it was something he wanted to do for himself. Well, she then figured, who am I to stop you?
Jane had no idea how she would have dealt with her brother's death if it wasn't for Billy by her side. They had an immeadiate connection and Billy confessed that he just felt he was meant to take care of her. He ended up proposing later that day. He figured that Michael would approve of it. Jane wasted no time in making sure they had proper arrangements made for an elopement. The thought that she was going to be taken care of after all had made her the happiest she felt in a long time. She was a gorgeous bride, if Billy did think so himself. Just a few months later, Jane and Billy were thrilled to learn that they would become parents.
That was why she was going for a walk. She already loved her little one but pregnancy was already taking a toll on her. She became tired easily and her new swollen belly had made her feel uncomfortable. The only time she would feel better was when she was out for a walk in nature. The baby was due in February and she prayed that it would be a mild winter so she could still enjoy the outdoors. That was when she noticed an elderly woman walking beside her. It made Jane uneasy because she never noticed her there. The lady just kept on walking and smiling bedide her.
"How are you today?" The woman's voice was familiar.
"Fine, thanks. Yourself?"
"Great evening for a walk, eh?"
"I think so."
"The kind that makes you think doesn't it?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well," the woman must have sensed Jane's discomfort. "When I go for a walk, I think about life."
"So do I," Jane hesitantly confessed.
"Am I bothering you?"
"Erm, no ma'am," Jane honestly didn't know what to say to that. "It's just..."
"Yes?"
"I feel like I know you somehow, but you don't look like anyone I know."
"People touch other people's lives everyday whether they know it or not," the lady replied with a smile.
"Well," Jane said, smiling now. "I guess you're right."
They had begun to get quiet again as they walked along. Jane never lost her feeling of knowing who this woman was and she was racking her brain trying to figure it out. That was when the woman started to whistle to the tune of "Spoonful of Sugar". Jane gasped out loud.
"What's the matter, dear?"
"Mary Poppins!"
"I thought you would recognize me, Jane. I remember you."
"Well, why didn't... Why are you here? Do you see Bert?"
"Sometimes," she replied with a grin. "I came to see you. You've been through so much, darling. I want you to know that I'm proud of you."
"Well, thanks," Jane said as Mary slipped her hands into hers.
"Jane, listen to me," Mary said with sheer intensity. "Remember who you are. Who you are is a lovely little girl I fell in love with ten years ago on this very day."
"That long ago?" Ten years ago may just as well have been one hundred years ago to Jane.
"Yes, remember your spirit, Jane."
She was gone as magically as she appeared. That was her way after all. She would come in at a time when you least expect it and then she leaves you knowing you needed her all along. Jane then began to walk back home again with new filled happy memories in her head, whistling "Spoonful of Sugar" the whole way. In the middle of her journey, she met a chimney sweep. Ever since that night with Bert, she would always stop to shake hands with him. Jane Banks Anderson keeps smiling, knowing that she was indeed being taken care of and was never left behind to begin with.
