The setting sun bathed the serene landscape in fiery light, illuminating the thin mists in vibrant colors of oranges and pinks, reflecting off the waves of the ocean. Autumn bound trees - with emerald green leaves that faded to varying shades of yellows and reds - dotted the grassy field just behind the sandy beaches. A few of the more withered leaves - faintly resembling tiny shells - fell off the thin branches, a gentle breeze carrying them to the vast expanse of rolling water and the towards the setting orb of fire. An old woman sat on a bench bordering the fields and the sands, taking in the beautiful scenery before her with pale green eyes. Soft wrinkles gently contoured her once elegant face, snow white hair patchy and thin. A plaid black and red blanket rested in her lap, her wrinkled fingers rubbing the coarse fabric in thought.
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The sun gradually began to sink lower and lower, looking as if the sea was devouring all her light until it finally vanished. The illuminated mists faded away and the moon rose slowly to replace the sun, the curtain of night drawing a close to the day. A young man garbed in white swim trunks and a t-shirt came over to a fire-pit a few feet away from the old woman, setting it alight. Upon noticing her though, he gave a smile and waved his hand in greeting before retreating to his friends, laughing at some obscene joke they told that the old woman couldn't quite catch. She smiled fondly as he settled down beside an elegant young woman with hair as black as the night enfolding them and porcelain white skin. He placed a small kiss on her cheek, smiling against her skin. The old woman watched with a wistful look glinting in her eyes as the young couple stood and made their way to their car, driving away from the beach and taking a new memory with them.
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The old woman slowly turned her head over at two overhanging palm trees that were just a few yards away from the crashing waves of the ocean. Hours passed by like minutes, and soon the old woman was watching the same couple yet again, only this time the elegant young woman was dressed in a long, flowing white dress and the man in an expensive black suit. Friends and family circled the young couple, clapping and cheering as the preacher said "you may now kiss the bride". As the beautiful pair leaned into each other, a sudden wave crashed down on the wedding goers, carrying away chairs and a loud uncle who couldn't get away in time. The old woman chuckled lightly. It was things like that that made weddings especially memorable.
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She turned her head to look on the opposite side of the beach. Days passed by like minutes. The girl was pregnant now with their first child, only this time she was alone. She was rubbing her round stomach absently as she stared out across the sea, looking deep in thought. Her pale eyes had a distant look to them, concern and anxiety sparking in their depths. The old woman knew that look, and she felt her heart clench with sympathy. The man was out fighting a war, and his wife had to be left behind. All she could do was hope and pray her husband would come back to her healthy and strong.
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Months pass by like minutes. Their first child was a toddler now, exploring the sands and cold ocean waters for the first time under his mother's careful watch. The young mother was attentive, watching his every move and playing with him with a smile plastered on her face. There was a somber look hiding in the depths of her eyes though, telling the old woman her husband has yet to return. Suddenly, from behind the bench the old woman occupied, a strong man slowly walked over to the shore, a wide smile on his handsome face. He was garbed in a navy blue outfit and white beret. Slung across one of his arms was a black and red plaid blanket. The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, tears escaping them as she squealed in surprised delight. Their son also started to squeal, for while he didn’t know what was happening he knew his mommy was happy.
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Years passed by like minutes. The old woman watched from her same spot on the bench as the family grew up together, with some trials and many happy moments.
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This was her life, as as her form faded away from the bench as if she were dissolving into sand, she felt pain knowing most families now did not have such joy.
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And with that pain, the old woman was gone.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3G6Eqdvip
