Chapter 3 Courage to Understand
The citizens of Hope Valley, formerly Coal Valley, had been touched by great loss. They themselves had not had time to grieve. Which is why when the young teacher who had been such a blessing to their town had been stricken with the same pain they wanted to fix it and make it all better. The very thought that their dear, sunshine bringing Elizabeth would feel all that same bewilderment, pain, and anger that had made them bitter for so long filled them with dread. They had just wanted to protect her and keep her kind heart tender and pure.
"Grief is no one's friend" an exacerbated Florence exclaimed. As she and the others filed out of the church. Elizabeth's unapologetic explanation still resounded in the hearts of those who cared for her. She had fled the church and rode off on Sergeant a few moments ago. Pastor Joseph had spoken a few words of solace to the congregation and then prayed. Florence's husband Ned took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. They walked towards town in companionable silence. Governor Lucas Bouchard had driven out of town quickly; he had a meeting in Union City but he would return to Hope Valley in another week or two at the most. Rosemary and Lee with sorrowful hearts made their way home with their daughter Goldie. The town had believed that they had been supportive of Elizabeth when she had lost Jack but now they realized they had only encouraged her to move on without ever really mourning her loss. Most of the women who had lost their husband's in the coal mine disaster began to question if they had actually allowed themselves to mourn.
Hope Valley was overshadowed by a sadness that could not be expelled. Many widows and widowers found themselves at the graveyard of their lost loved ones. Florence and Ned sat together first at his first wife's grave and then at her departed husband's grave. The atmosphere was thick and heavy with sorrow and regret. Everyone wanted to do what Elizabeth had said she'd finally found the courage to do–allow grief to run its course. There were lots of tears and angry outbursts. Grief could be seen in the faces of all of the people of the small town. The school teacher watched and wondered when would hope return to Hope Valley. Wiping more tears from her eyes she knelt down to embrace her son and smiled because she knew soon healing was finally going to come for them all.
There was something new stirring in the hearts of the citizens of Hope Valley; a precious and rare commodity that is often taken for granted. The courage to understand that love is not something that comes for a season or for a reason; but true love is always for a lifetime–even when that someone you love is gone.
Nathan finally found the courage to talk to Allie about her mother in more detail. To let her know about what had happened with her birth father Dylan Parks. He answered her questions and they mourned together all that they both had lost.
As each citizen grieved in their own way each day it became easier to be happy and joyful. Peace settled slowly but irrevocably over the hearts, minds, and souls of the residents of Hope Valley.