Kimana and her younger sister Nurita were currently stargazing on a grassy hill. Dozens of species of wildflowers carpeted the ridge. It indeed was a slice of heaven. "I wish Dad was still here," Nurita commented offhand as she struggled to set up their father's old telescope.
Kimana chuckled before going to help her younger sister. Despite both being middle-aged, Kimana being sixty-four and Nurita fifty-nine? Neither looked even close to their actual age. Truthfully? If anyone saw either woman, they'd presume they were in their early thirties. Neither sister was vain. So it wasn't due to surgery or beauty products for their youthful appearance.
They're simply two individuals who looked way younger than then actually where. You'd never expect a woman a few months shy of turning sixty to have a teenage daughter, but she did. Nurita had suffered years of infertility and a couple of miscarriages before ultimately having her daughter Ember at forty-five. Her daughter was now fourteen and thriving.
However, tragedy struck Nurita when she lost her husband less then a year ago. Kimana again had been grateful her husband Iroh allowed her sister and niece to move into their magnificent mansion.
The sisters hadn't seen each other in ages. Primarily due to Nurita's insane mother-in-law. Thank Agni, that woman was dead! Nevertheless, that madwoman was why the sisters hadn't seen each other in years.
They'd chosen this evening for themselves because it was Kimana's birthday. They'd celebrate with the rest of their family tomorrow. But tonight, the sisters only sought each other company.
When they'd been little, their parents loved to take them to the rolling hills of green to gaze at the captivating diamonds in the heavens. This is why they'd chosen this as their bonding activity.
"They're so exquisite, Kim! I'm frankly astonished Dad's old telescope can compete with the ones on the market today!" Nurita aimed the telescope towards the Big Dipper.
"It might have to do with the fact Dad constructed it himself, Rita," her sister retorted. She permitted the fresh air to fill her with its mystical energy. "This is such a gorgeous location. So peaceful, and you're as close to the above heavens as possible."
"True enough," her sister replied, then started chuckling. She laughed so hard she couldn't stand to which her sister asked what was so funny. Nurita managed to get control of herself before showing her through the telescope a cherry tree orchard roughly a mile away.
It clicked instantly what Nurita was laughing about. On a night like this, when they'd been little girls, their mother had told them a story. A story about cherry trees: Nurita wasn't the only one with a horrendous mother-in-law. Before either of them was born, their parental grandmother had committed a heinous crime.
Seeing how their family were horticulturalists, they'd worked with various plants. They're well versed in botany, biology, ecology, and much more. The point was on their parents' property were multiple plants, including cherry trees. Their mother had been tending to hers dutifully and planned to spend the weekend harvesting the gorgeous ripe cherries.
However, when their mother was occupied in the family's greenhouse, MIL came over and pilfered all the cherries! Their mother had been beyond pissed. Their father swore it was the only time she dared to use vulgarity in her life. She'd called her MIL a cherry-stealing whore. Which shocked the sisters when their father told them this story.
Again, their mother never permitted swearing in their house. So to find out she'd been that pissed and swore? You knew it was serious. "I'm so pleased our parental grandpa had enough integrity to return what his wife looted. Plus, gave our mother more in return," Nurita commented, to which Kimana nodded.
"I think our grandmother was fortunate that Mom didn't sue her or worse. Grandpa would rather deal with our furious mother than his wifey," as she adjusted the telescope again.
"Hmm, I believe they're a new star out tonight. Shall we make a wish?" to which her sister nodded. They closed their eyes and placed their hands over their hearts. Then, each silently wished their secret wish. After making their wishes, they went back to stargazing. A remarkable and magical evening for sisterly bonding, undoubtedly!
Nurita- Blake Lively- Adaline from Age of Adaline
An Exercise in Appreciation
Take a moment to think carefully. Then write a list of people who've impacted your life. Finally, please write down the reasons they mean so much to you.
Then whenever you can? Please pick up the phone and tell them why they're essential to you. Notice how you feel afterward.