The Silver Four-Leaf Clover

When Steve was only 11 years old he saw the woman he knew he was going to marry.  His parents had just moved to a new property and he was taking a short cut through the neighbouring property on his way to his new school - when he saw her.  A young woman of 20, Addie was standing outside her home and he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He determined there and then that she was the woman he was going to marry. It may seem a strange decision for a boy of 11 but Steve had always been a determined boy.

          As the years passed his family became friendly with her family and they did many things together but Steve was still a boy and Addie had lots of friends and parties and dances to go to.  It was a very difficult and painful time for the young Steve, but he never wavered in his decision. Occasionally, Addie would go for walks with him and as they strolled through the pastures they would spend time looking for the rare four-leaf clovers.  These were special times for the young Steve.   When he was 17, with the depression on, he decided to travel some distance away to make some money cutting sugar cane and whatever other jobs he could get.  He called at Addie’s home to say goodbye and for the first time she showed some interest in him and seemed a little sad at his leaving.  He left with his heart singing – she had really noticed him!   He was away for many months but they did write letters to each other and one day as he opened a letter from Addie, something dropped out. It was a little silver-coloured piece of cardboard in the shape of a four- leaf clover.

          When Steve returned, he and Addie started ‘going together’ and finally, when Steve was 21 and Addie 30, they married.  Though there were some concerns held by Addie’s parents at the age difference, it didn’t matter to Steve and Addie.  They were in love and had no fears for their future together.

          Over the years they raised 4 children, 3 boys and a girl.  They had many ups and downs financially and Steve’s health suffered badly when he had his first heart attack at 48.  With his usual determination and Addie’s love and patience and the loving care of their children, he regained his health. Steve and Addie’s love and devotion for each other was plain for all to see.

They had been married for 60 years when Steve’s eyesight was beginning to fail and finally they reluctantly decided they would move to a retirement home as with Addie now in her 90’s it was becoming more and more difficult for her to care for Steve who was now almost blind.  Before the move to the home they decided to give to their family a lot of the furniture and other items they would no longer need.  Included in this was a beautifully carved wooden box of Steve’s that he gave to his daughter.  When she opened it she found amongst other items – a silver four-leaf clover and she asked her father what it meant. He then told her the story of how Addie had sent that to him to remind him of the times when, before he left to go away, they had spent time together, searching for four-leaf clovers.   He told her of what it had meant to him to receive that as he knew then that Addie was thinking about him and remembering their special times together.   His daughter was amazed that he had kept that little silver bit of cardboard all those years and she lovingly put it back in the box, knowing she would treasure it, and the story.

Some months later after Steve and Addie were settled in the home their daughter was visiting her parents.  Steve was now totally blind and in a conversation he suddenly mentioned sadly that he had lost the four-leaf clover.  His daughter reminded him that it was not lost but was in the box he had given her and she asked him would he like it back.  He said he would, so next visit she asked him to hold out his hand and she carefully put the little silver clover in it and asked him if he knew what it was.  She would never forget the look on his face as it lit up with the recognition of what he was holding.

Not long after that Steve passed away.  For a moment Addie thought of putting the silver four leaf clover in the coffin with him, but then remembering what it had meant to Steve all those years, she could not bear to part with it and knew that having it close to her would be a comfort in her great loss. The family bought a little silver frame for it and it now stands proudly on her duchess.  Addie is now 97.  She has been without her beloved Steve for over two years now and looks forward to the time soon when she will go to be with him forever.  The silver-four leaf clover, in its beautiful silver frame, stands as a reminder of the love of her husband and she has assured her daughter that with her passing, it will go to her.

And I know that I will treasure it and the memory of my wonderful parents for the rest of my life.

Elizabeth Shelton

(Six months after I wrote this story Addie went to join Steve. The courage, determination and love that my parents showed will continue to inspire me in my own life.)