Page 69 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
Deep down, Morgan might recognize that, but that didn’t mean she would risk a long-term relationship with him. Why would he even want her to?
“Grandma, I love you, but let’s talk about something besides Morgan and Greyson, okay?”
Because his grandma knew him too well and he didn’t want her seeing just how much he struggled with the decision he’d made to stay away from Morgan and Greyson.
“Okay, for now.” She sighed. Then she smiled and patted his hand. “Tell me more about this smokejumper dream. I recall you talking about how much you enjoyed volunteering during the Gatlinburg fire and knew you took that wildland firefighting course afterwards, but I never guessed that you’d felt a life calling. I want to know more, my gem of a grandson.”
Andrew was quite positive that it was his grandmother who was the true gem, but she wouldn’t listen to him even if he argued that point. So, he grabbed his laptop and pulled up a website and began showing her the program he was considering. He’d work as a Hotshot for six months or so, then get qualified as a smokejumper. Just thinking about living that life had his blood pumping.
“You should apply.”
Part of him wasn’t surprised by her comment. She was such a selfless person. But another part of him was stunned that she seemed so genuinely enthused for him to apply. “Seriously? You’re okay with me going?”
“Will I spend a lot more time on my knees praying for your safety? Absolutely. But I couldn’t be more proud of you for your commitment to saving others, Andrew,” she paused and gave him a tight smile. “I just wish it wasn’t at such a high cost to yourself.”
“I’m hoping it’s never that high of a cost,” he pointed out, thinking she meant the ultimate cost too many of his fellow firefighters paid.
A horrified look wrinkled her face. “Oh, goodness, not that. I meant the sacrifice of a personal relationship and family of your own.”
Morgan and Greyson popped into his mind, then he reminded himself that he wasn’t sacrificing anything that could ever be his, anyway. The greatest thing he could ever do for them was to stay away.
Which, with a few clicks of the laptop’s keyboard, shouldn’t be a problem.
“I have a family of my own,” he said, typing in his name on the application. “A great family with you and Grandpa at the helm.”
It was enough. It would have to be.
Chapter Twelve
“According to their website, the mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor,” Sophie said from the front of the cafeteria room at the Pine Hill Assisted Living Center. The space, converted into an award room for the afternoon, was full of those gathered for the awarding of the patriotic quilts that had been made at the recent sew-ins. “To carry out that mission is why we are gathered here today.”
Morgan’s heart swelled with pride that she’d been able to participate in a small way in something so meaningful. She glanced over at where Greyson stood with her grandparents and hoped he felt joy in having helped, too.
Rather than watching the presentation, her son’s gaze was focused on a certain firefighter, though. Morgan sighed. She understood the temptation. Keeping her own eyes away from Andrew wasn’t easy.
“The Quilts of Valor Foundation started in 2003 when Blue Star mom Catherine Roberts had a dream where a dejected soldier was wrapped in a quilt meant to comfort, offer hope, and to welcome him home.” Sophie paused, looking around at the group. “As many of you know, my father served in the military. He wasn’t able to deal with his return home and left when I was a child.”
Morgan wished she could hug her cousin as Sophie’s voice broke with emotion.
“Every quilt I make, present, or have anything to do with makes me feel as if I am somehow helping to heal him, wherever he is.” With watery eyes, Sophie gave the crowd a wobbly smile and continued, “Just as we wrap up in a quilt when we’re ill or we swaddle a baby in one when they’re upset, quilts comfort and make us feel better. That’s what each and every one of the quilts being presented today are meant to do—to comfort, heal, and welcome home the fine men and women being honored today. We thank them for their dedicated service to our country and the role they played in protecting our freedom.”
Morgan glanced over at where John sat in his wheelchair. Such a good man, and so deserving of every recognition. Scanning over the row of recipients, Morgan couldn’t help but think how each and every one was owed so much for the sacrifices they’d made.
“Our first quilt being awarded today is being presented to Major Glenda Jackson who served in the Korean and the Vietnam Wars as a nurse. Her quilt is being awarded by Sarah Smith Lewis.”
Sophie turned the microphone over and Sarah ran through a quick introduction about the woman, how she’d been touched by war, then asked permission to wrap the woman in a beautiful red, white, and blue quilt.
“Welcome home, and thank you for your service,” Sarah told the woman, giving her a big hug, then handing the microphone back to Sophie.
Sophie ran through several other awards, each being presented with an emotional introduction and concluding by wrapping of a veteran in a patriotic quilt.
“Last, but certainly not least, we have a very special gentleman with us today. John Harper served in the Air Force as a gunner on a Douglas B-26 Invader and flew in seventeen missions during the Korean War. Our local Quilts of Valor group has a new member and she’s going to award John his quilt.”
Morgan took a deep breath, then walked to the front of the room, smiling as she took the microphone from her cousin. Public speaking wasn’t her thing, but she hadn’t been able to say no when Sophie had asked her if she wanted to award John his quilt.
“Hi,” Morgan said to the group, thinking back to every public speaking piece of advice she’d ever heard to get her through the next few minutes. “Since I’m off duty and out of my uniform, many of you may not realize that I work here as a nurse. Not long after I started I had the privilege of meeting John. For those of you who know him, then you already knew all the things that I quickly learned—that he is an honorable man and a humble one. If you ask him, he will say he’s no hero, that he just did his job. He went to war, did his duty to protect our country and his fellow countrymen, and then he came home and picked up the pieces of his life.”
The group listened attentively as she continued. “But there’s so much more to his story than that. Prior to his admission here, he was an active volunteer with the local American Legion. Based upon how they’ve come to visit him and how many times they have called checking on him, I know how much they love him.”
