{"id":13866,"date":"2012-03-08T09:57:23","date_gmt":"2012-03-08T14:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13866"},"modified":"2026-07-28T11:45:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T15:45:23","slug":"a-warm-place-in-your-heart-by-camera-chic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13866","title":{"rendered":"A Warm Place in Your Heart (by Camera Chic)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: The family starts to heal after the loss of Marie, as Adam strives to be strong for his family.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (1,310 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Warm Place in Your Heart<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam opened his eyes. For a few brief seconds, he lay, slightly awake, comfortable and content under his blankets. But then reality set in, and he closed his eyes with a groan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If only for once, the morning dreaminess would last more than a few seconds before the pain of loss would make itself known again. It never happened before, and Adam was sure it would happen again, many, many times. She was gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pushed aside the blankets, glancing for a moment at the space next to him, not surprised to see the bed empty. He got dressed, and then paused, looking at his cuffs. She had put extra stitching on them when she made his shirt. It was for his birthday this past year. Even though he usually liked to save it for special occasions, he found himself wearing it more often now. It seemed to make her feel closer to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He slipped quietly downstairs so that his father and brother might not wake. Curled up in her favorite blue chair, Little Joe lay, crying quietly. Every morning it was the same. He crept out of Adam\u2019s bed before anyone was awake, and came down here. Adam lifted him into his arms, and carried him back upstairs to get him dressed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he pulled clothing and tugged buttons, Adam thought back to what Doctor Martin had said a few weeks back. \u201cI\u2019m proud of you, Adam. The way you\u2019re being strong, and taking care of everyone, and the ranch business. Just remember to take care of yourself, too.\u201d But he couldn\u2019t. There were too many other things to do. He had offered to put off school, but Ben wouldn\u2019t hear of it. Marie had wanted him to go to school.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat down, and then wrapped Joe in a hug. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you miss her too?\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had to swallow a couple of times. \u201cYes, Joe, I miss her a lot.\u201d He felt Joe\u2019s hands tighten on his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has it been now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cTwenty-nine days. Almost a month. Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Adam. You\u2019ve said it before. But I can\u2019t help it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam thought about what Marie might say, if she were here. There were a few times that Adam had gone to her to ask her advice, and more than a few times she had approached him to offer some. She had a different way of looking at things than their father did, and fairly soon Adam had overcome his resentment, and learned to appreciate her. She always had something kind to say, always had a way of looking at things. As Adam grew older, he had come to view her more as a friend than an imposter, an unwanted step-mother, or a wedge between himself and his father. She was never quite a mother though, even though she mothered him. It was something she realized Adam needed to overcome, he thought, and she gave him space, but also knew when to push him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019m going to miss her for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pulled him closer. He knew he had to say something, and he just prayed that the right words came out. \u201cJoe\u2026I know you\u2019re going to miss her. We\u2019re all going to miss her, in our own way, but you shouldn\u2019t be sad for the rest of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026how are we ever going to be happy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe\u2026I know\u2026\u201d Adam closed his eyes, and tried to remember what his father had told him, years ago, when Hoss\u2019s mother had died. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, to be sad, for a little while. But you also have to think of all the happy things that she did, and remember those things, and carry a warm place for her in your heart. She\u2019ll always be with you, Joe. And she wouldn\u2019t want you to be sad forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was quiet for a few minutes. Finally he whispered, \u201cYou\u2019re right, Adam. She wouldn\u2019t want that, probably. She never wanted me to be sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam hugged him closer, and then set him down. \u201cGo on, get washed up and go downstairs. I\u2019ll be right out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d Joe left, and then Adam heard him say, \u201cGood morning, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood as Ben came into the room. \u201cMorning, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben just stood there for a few moments.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Adam asked, worry starting to form.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally Ben shook his head slightly. \u201cNothing\u2019s the matter,\u201d he said quietly. He walked into the room, closing the door behind him. \u201cThat\u2019s what I told you when Inger died.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cYes, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know who told me that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo…I don\u2019t think you ever told me.\u201d Adam sat down as Ben gestured to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat in the chair next to the bed. \u201cYour grandfather said that to me, right before I left with you to go west. He told me to carry a warm place in my heart for your mother, not to carry her on my shoulders. That she wouldn\u2019t want that.\u201d Ben looked towards the window, seemingly lost in his memories. \u201cHe was right, of course. And then Inger\u2026and I had you, and Hoss to care for. You were such a help to me.\u201d He looked back. \u201cAnd now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked at his father, meeting his gaze, and seeing the loss in his eyes. But more than that, there was love, and\u2026and pride. Adam smiled slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood up, resting his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder for a few seconds, squeezing it for a moment, and then he left the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sank back onto his bed, and closed his eyes, as different feelings washed over him. Sometimes he wondered if Ben had seen what he had done- working hard, trying to keep the ranch running as usual, being strong for his father and brothers\u2026and now he knew. He was glad to know that he had been a help, and that his father appreciated what he was doing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood up and went downstairs, where his father and brothers were already seated at the table. They all started breakfast, and after a few minutes, Ben looked up at his sons. \u201cI think today we\u2019ll take a day off. Let\u2019s pack a lunch to have by the lake, and spend the day having a little fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked a little apprehensive, and Hoss raised his eyebrows. \u201cReally, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled slightly. \u201cI think Marie would like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A few seconds passed, and then Hoss said, \u201cRemember that time that we were having a picnic by the lake, and Ma lost her footing and fell in?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben tried to hide his smile as Adam chuckled. \u201cPoor Marie. It took months of picnics before we stopped teasing her. And Joe brought back that basket full of frogs, and left them in the great room.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to do it,\u201d Joe protested, but then he laughed. \u201cMa thought that was funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed. \u201cI have to admit I didn\u2019t. Frogs everywhere\u2026for months.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe made you laugh about it, Pa,\u201d Hoss chuckled. \u201cRemember the one that found its way into your bed, and it woke you up in the middle of the night?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss started laughing, as Ben shook his head with a smile. \u201cShe didn\u2019t think at was too funny then.\u201d All three boys laughed, and Ben chuckled. \u201cAll right, lets finish eating so we can finish chores and get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam grinned at him, and then went back to his breakfast. He knew it would be awhile before laughter was a daily occurrence in the house, as it had always seemed to be when Marie was alive, but right now he just wanted to enjoy the moment. And the memories.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: The family starts to heal after the loss of Marie, as Adam strives to be strong for his family.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (1,310 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":5719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1008,30,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-13-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Marie.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13866","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/92"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13866"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13866\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13866"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13866"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13866"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}