"The Dream"

A dream i lay out before you, a dream of my own design. Of course all objects have been borrowed by my mind’s eye from man or nature; described for usage, i hope, in such a way as to spark a desire for love and passion. Here i present, ‘The Dream’....

i walk from the sliding glass door down a pair of cement steps onto the small patio. By a simple turn of my head i can easily survey the backyard in its entirety; twenty paces to the back fence and twice that from left to right. In the back left corner a medium size willow casts it’s shadow on a large white gazebo. It's paint peeling slightly from lack of fresh coats, but it's sturdy frame has withstood worse then the light summer breeze dancing though it and into the grass.

When i built the gazebo my wife said i was wasting my time. When i lined the roof of it with speakers she said i was wasting my money. But it has served its purpose over the years. Fun for parties and a place to go and sit to be alone... But tonight it will serve its greatest purpose ever.

i had saved money for this night for years and spent many nights in secret purchasing and drilling holes in the bottom of almost a hundred large, round, fish bowels, one to cover each candle purchased and hidden away.

i think that the hardest part of this night has been keeping it secret all these years, but a plan for something this special takes great care.

Now for the plan to commence...

10:00 p.m.
It is dark and the kids are asleep in their beds. i laying my love down and kiss her goodnight,
"Go to sleep; i will be back in the morning. i promise i will stop working these nights soon."

She has heard the promise before and this is not the first time she will sleep alone. Rolling over she closes her eyes, as i close the door to our room. Walking down the stairs and out the front door i think to myself.
“She will never suspect if i am quiet and i must get to work!”

A quick drive, some packing, and another quick drive and i find myself back in my own driveway. Being as quite as i can, the work begins. i pray she doesn't wake...yet.

1:30 a.m.
The work is done. The fireflies are out dancing.... i believe we will join them.

When i touch her shoulder she jumps a bit.
"What are you doing home?" she asks.

"Just put this on."

"What is this.... a dress? At this hour? ... are you wearing a tuxedo? Where are your shoes?"

i smile. "Just put it on, please."

i stand in the living room and watch the hallway until she steps from our room.

If i could not feel my heart trying to beat its way out of my chest i would think myself dead and seeing an angel.

The dress flows around the curves of her body like a white wave, as she comes down the stairs. Her hair, framing her face and flowing down her bare shoulders, shines in the moonlight as she glides to me in the light from the front bay window.

"i see you have no shoes for me either” She laughs.

"Shhh.. You'll wake the kids, now close your eyes and allow me to lead you."

Taking her hand i guide her through the kitchen, slide open the back door, and lead her down the steps, across the patio, and onto the grass. i kiss her ear before whispering. “Open your eyes.”

It is a cloudless, warm, summer night. The moon and stars shine brightly above, but i do not think she notices them.

A path of candles, lit and covered by the glass fishbowls frames a path of rose petals leading from her feet up and onto the gazebo floor. Other candles placed randomly in the yard are glowing companions to the fireflies and stars.

Soft music fills the night and leads us forward, as petals crush into the grass and stick to our feet.

Embracing her in the middle of the 'dance floor' we move.

Two bodies, two hearts, two souls in tune press against each other moving in step with our love. Sure the music was there but we didn't need it. i don't know if my eyes ever left hers. Five hours of holding the one who owns my heart, passes in a moment. The music long stopped and the candles burned out, i hold her on the steps of the gazebo as we watch the sun peak above the horizon. As the light turns her hair a-flame we hear children’s voices calling for mom and breakfast. We smile at each other and kiss for the thousandth and final time that night, but not the last time in forever. –

And so it ends my happy tale of two souls, sent from the presence of God to receive earthly bodies, which have found each other upon this earth, and are living now in small moments of love, joy, and the assigned duties of all of human kind…

18 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.
(Pearl of Great Price Abraham 5:18)

“…Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…”
(Pearl of Great Price Moses 2:28)

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children… Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them… to observe the commandments of God…”
(Family: A proclamation to the World)