Over to the moon

Suzie looked vacantly at the boundless sky. The moon spread its warmth on her, the breeze nuzzled her face and yet something within felt extremely cold. 'When you miss mama, tell it to the moon.' Her mother's fading words lashed her thoughts.  

All of six, Suzie couldn't make much of her mother's passing, except that she knew mama had travelled as far as the stars, right up to the moon. But those parting words came back strong. "I will be just across the rainbow, my little girl. And when you miss mama, tell it to the moon..." 

Yes, the household rhythm saw an interim disruption. But Suzie's father, Mr Harvey, got a grip on things soon. Granny was sent for and the part-time nanny was given a raise and a full-time role. And though he tried not to betray the emotion, Mr Harvey was glad that Suzie's summer break was over and it was time for school.

In her mid-fifties, Garcia, the nanny, was a gentle soul. She ensured Suzie was well looked after and her days unfolded without too many hiccups. And nanna (that's how Suzie addressed her mama's mom) was right there to snuggle up to every night. Beside her, Suzie could easily doze off in the arms of dream. Both the women knew the motherless child had a lot to puzzle out and all of it was just the beginning. 

Today, after skygazing for long, little Suzie walked back to her room. She pulled one of the drawers attached to her colorful study and picked up a pretty little diary. It had been lying there, a gift from mama. She opened the first page, all pink and floral, grabbed her favourite pencil and got a good grip on it. A little later when nanna walked up to find Suzie, her eyes stopped at four longingly placed words: 'Moon fills for mama'. The page softly fluttered on Suzie's face, that night must have been long.