CBB Advent Calendar 22nd December
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#1: CBB Advent Calendar 22nd December Author: CBB Triumvirate,  PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:52 am

Sorry about the ending, it was the way the story insisted on going.


Robin Humphries rose early, as was her normal practice. Ever since she had decided that she wanted to take orders she had tried to keep to convent hours. This was not something she had undertaken lightly, but it was her way of convincing herself that she could cope with the rigours of the life she so earnestly desired. Many long conversations with the novice sister at la Sagesse had eased her mind about her ability to cope away from the eagle eye of her guardians who had placed such stress on her health all her life. But she still felt the need to test herself.

“You must trust to God and Our lady to protect you my dear,” the old nun had said, “But you will have a period of testing, that is partly what the noviate is for. It is not only to test your calling, but also to see if joining us is the best way for you to follow it. Remember, God wants the best for you as well as for the community and the world. The vocation He gives you will take into account the frailties and strengths He has also given you. We will be seeking to help you discover your vocation and the best way to follow it, no matter what that may be.”

Robin had spent a long time thinking about this, and was sure that she wanted to enter the convent as a novice. There was only one hurdle to cross. She had still not discussed this with her family, or rather with those who were as close to her as a family. She was surprised that none of them had wondered about the long hours she had spent visiting the nuns, but with the girls at school there and then Joey having the twins she knew it had escaped their attention. Robin wished that they had noticed, if something had been said it may have given her the opening she needed. Now the date for their departure was loaming and she still had not found a natural way of telling the Russells and Maynards that she wanted to return to Canada as soon as Daisy was married and Joey safely off to Switzerland.

The early rising had given Robin time to prepare herself for the day ahead. She knew that she could not put it off any longer. There would be arrangements to be made if she was to return at the end of that summer. She knew that Joey and Madge would prefer to have her close, but la Sagasse was the place she was called to and for Robin the matter seemed as simple as that. Telling her family and facing their arguments was to be the first test of her vocation.


She finally rose from her knees feeling that she had the strength to tell Jo the news. She could hear her moving around the house, getting the children up and dressed. Anna was clattering pots down in the kitchen, and everything seemed so normal that it smote her heart to shatter it. She went downstairs and into the dining room, checking that all was in readiness, sending up soundless prayers for the strength she needed. She was staring out of the window when Jo entered, carrying both the twins, one on each hip, with the skill of long practice.
“Hello Robin, you look a bit pensive? Everything all right? I thought we’d clear the big shed in the garden today,” she continued, giving Robin no chance to respond to the obvious opening. “There must be heaps of stuff out there that we don’t need any more, and it all needs chucking if that’s the case. We can’t leave it cluttered in case Ernest wants to use it.”
“Jo, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” began Robin, but Jo was already in the throws of breakfasting her brood and was clearly not really listening, so Robin gave it up for the time being. Once the tinies had been cleaned and deposited in the playroom, with the triplets keeping an eye on them, the two repaired to the shed, and Robin began to hope that she might be able to break the news. However, Jo launched herself at the piles of boxes and discarded items form her life in a flurry of activity, engrossed in her chore and Robin sighed to herself and joined in. Many of the things they unearthed had memories for both of them, and there were many laughs and not a few tears before they reached the bottom of the pile. There they found a pair of skis, too old and battered to be safe any more.
“Oh Robin, look at these, do. I used them that Christmas we spent with the Mensches before the War. Do you remember? We had a stupendous time, and it was the first time I’d ever tried skiing.”
“Of course I remember,” said Robin. “I know I was only about 6 or 7, but it was the first Christmas we had together. I don’t think I was allowed to ski then. You all looked after me so carefully, as if you thought I would break if you weren’t careful.”
“Well, you were always so frail in those days Robin. And we were so afraid that you’d follow your mother, you know.”
“I know. Jo, there’s something I have to tell you. It’s been on my mind since before we left Canada. I’m not coming to Switzerland with you.” The last came out in rather a rush, since Robin had despaired of ever getting the opening she needed. Jo looked at her in dismay.
“What do you mean Robin? Of course you’re coming with us. Where else would you go?”
“Back to la Sagesse.” Robin looked at the colour draining from Jo’s face as the implications of her statement sank in, and then flood back again as Jo tried to put her own feelings to one side.
“Does that mean what I think?” she asked quietly.
“I’m going to take my vows, yes. It’s what I’ve wanted for a long time Jo, and I spoke to the Mother Superior while we were there. I feel called to go back to that House Jo, even though it is so many miles away from you all.”
“If that is what you feel called to do then of course I won’t stand in your way. But it’s so far away from us all, Robin. We won’t be able to visit at all.” Jo’s eyes were full of tears, though she resolutely stopped them from falling. “When do you go?”
“I think just after you go to Switzerland would be best, don’t you? Goodbyes all round will be easier on everybody.”
Jo could only nod, for her throat had closed up and she was afraid of disgracing herself with tears.

Goodbyes had been said a long time ago now. Many of them. The old nun had forgotten how many goodbyes she had said in her lifetime. There had been her mother, that first goodbye, and still the hardest for her to remember. She had never had the chance to make the final goodbye to her father, and that too had been hard to bare. But bare it she had, as bravely as a ten-year could. The war had seen yet more goodbyes; some abrupt, like that to Vater Johan; some after a long time like Margot Venebles. There had been so many. She knew that by now she should be used to goodbyes. This time it was different though.

The old nun let her mind drift as the time for this goodbye approached. She could recall the first goodbye to her family, her second family. Once Jack and Joey had packed for Switzerland, and she was ready to return to Canada. It had been harder than she had anticipated, but the sense of anticipation about her new life got her through it. Her second goodbye to them had been more protracted, more individual, and in many cases more personal as news reached her of first one death and then another. Madge, Jem, Jack, Joey, she had outlived them all.

Her mind moved onto her third family. She had been in France when Mother Ignatius died, but had made a private goodbye, offering her own prayers for the Mother Superior who had welcomed her as her sister. Sister Thomas Moore had been her own novice sister and it had been Robin who had performed the final act of mercy, preparing her for burial. This last service had been her goodbye to her teacher and eventual friend. Through the years there had been others, Sister Claire who had never recovered from the beating she received when defending a young girl from unwanted attentions. Sister Miriam who had died from cancer not long after taking her final vows, and others, more that Mother Marya Cecilia could recall now.

The time for this goodbye was approaching. This would be the last goodbye. The priest had been and gone, and young faces came and went during the night as the young sisters shared the vigil. Robin knew when the time came, and though for a moment she fought it, this goodbye was welcome. “It’s not really a goodbye at all,” she thought at the very end, “It’s really a hello, we’ve been waiting for you, so put that on you needles and knit it Robin Humphries” And so with a grin on her face that was a familiar sight to those who were waiting to greet her, Robin said not goodbye, but hello.

 

#2:  Author: Kirsty, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:23 am

Why do I pick the sad ones to read?? Crying or Very sad "Twas lovely though

Robin Humphries
A pair of skis
"Put that on your needles & knit it"

 

#3:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:26 pm

Kirsty wrote:
Robin Humphries
A pair of skis
"Put that on your needles & knit it"


Very lovely and Kirsty had already picked the same ideas I had.

Thank you.

 

#4:  Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:30 pm

Lovely drabble, guys! Especially that last line. Crying or Very sad Very Happy

(But even I can't come up with another trio this time.)

 

#5:  Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:26 pm

*sobs*
That was beautiful, Triumvirate!

 

#6:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:29 pm

Lovely story.


Robin Humphries

Pair of skis

'Put that on your needles and knit it.'

 

#7:  Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:35 pm

That was very moving and thank you!

 

#8:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 3:23 pm

That was lovely - and they were the same three I was going to pick

 

#9:  Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:03 pm

That was very moving, thank you.

Joey
Skis
"put that on you needles and knit it"

Star Wars

 

#10:  Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:16 pm

Thank you triumvirate. I think someone has already guessed this but my guess would be

Robin Humphries

pair of skis

so put that on your needles and knit it

 

#11:  Author: ellend, Location: Bow, London PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:25 pm

That was wonderful. I'm all teary.
Great insight into Robin deciding and telling.

I'm afraid I'm unimaginative and plumping for

Robin

skis

put that on your needles


I suspect others have gone the same direction. [Editing to say I hadn't read any guess other than Mihri's when I wrote the above and hadn't realised we'd all gone for the same.]


Ellen

 

#12:  Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:57 pm

That was lovely Sad

Another unimaginative one here - but I've looked again and I really can't see how it can be anything else!

Robin
Skis
Put that on your needles and knit it

(that was a typing tongue-twister - I just typed 'kneedles' by mistake Very Happy )

 

#13:  Author: CBB Triumvirate,  PostPosted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:09 am

Most of you got this one right.

Robin Humphries
A pair of skis
"Put that on your needles and knit it"

 

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