Sands In Motion

This story is by John Ford and was part of our 2024 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

Henry’s friends, family and acquaintances had finally left. He had cleared away the finger foods, desserts, and consoling casseroles. Everything was sorted into the fridge and freezer based on what he might need over the next few days as his life adjusted to his new reality.

Sitting in his overstuffed recliner, he stared at the empty chair beside him. The loneliness was setting in now. The woman he had spent the last 60 years with was gone. He had devoted himself to the mother of his children and grandmother of his raucous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To be ravaged by the disease that finally claimed her life seemed so unfair. Death had come for her too soon. What may seem like a long life to others seemed the briefest of time for him. The laughter and love, the tender touches and long conversations had filled his life so that the days fled by.

His heart was as empty as the chair beside him. He sat in the quaint living room, surrounded by a myriad of memories. Photographs and portraits covered the walls and every available shelf and table. Looking at each one, the memory it evoked brought a forlorn smile to his wrinkled face.

He looked over at the curio cabinet he had built for Margaret that held all the nick-knacks collected from their years of vacations. Henry noticed a glint as something caught the light from the setting sun. With his curiosity piqued, he leveraged himself out of his chair and made his way to the cabinet. Tucked in the back corner, he saw an ornate hourglass with a note attached to the top. He gently lifted the curiosity out of its hideaway, trying not to disturb any other treasured keepsakes.

Taking the heirloom back to his chair, he examined it with deep intent. The black walnut that formed the top and base of the hourglass had intricate patterns carved into it. Two brass columns shaped as fine leafy vines held them in place. The plates held the crystalline globes between them. They caught the light with a prismatic effect. Gold filigree covered the neck and seemed to obscure the passage of sand from the upper to the lower. Setting the hourglass on the table between the two armchairs, he took the note in his shaking hands. Carefully opening the note, he could see the elegant handwriting of his loving wife. The brief message said, “Set the sands in motion if you need a second chance.” Turning the note over, he could see there were no further instructions. There was nothing to show where the hourglass may have come from.

He looked at the enigmatic timepiece sitting on the table. His mind racing with speculative imaginings. Searching for meaning, he wondered what it was for. What might unfold if he set the sands in motion, just as the note had urged him to do? Unaware of what he was doing, he grasped the hourglass and turned it over. As the fading light of this mournful day glinted through the sand and reflected off the crystalline globes, his vision became blurry.

When his sight cleared, he was standing in a familiar place—the church where he and Margaret had exchanged their vows.

The day was as vivid as he remembered. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the guests who had gathered to celebrate their union. Henry felt a rush of emotions as he saw Margaret, radiant in her wedding dress, walking down the aisle. He knew this day. He was experiencing their wedding again, a day filled with joy and love. Henry savoured every moment of the ceremony, unsure if this was the start of a renewed life with Margaret or just a fleeting memory.

He danced with Margaret and laughed with his friends. He felt the warmth of their love envelop him. But as the day progressed, he noticed subtle changes. Conversations took unexpected turns, and minor events played out differently than he remembered.

Henry’s heart ached with the temptation to alter the past. He thought about warning Margaret about the illness that would take her from him. But he suspected that changing the past in any major way could have unforeseen consequences. The weight of this realization settled heavily on his shoulders.

As the evening drew to a close, Henry and Margaret stood together, watching the sunset. He clasped her hand, cherishing the feel of her skin against his.

Into the quiet Margaret said, “Can you believe we’re finally married?”

With a smile, he said, “It’s like a dream come true. I can’t wait to start this journey with you.”

Looking into his eyes, “Me too. I feel like I’ve won the lottery and I’ve gotten everything I will ever need.”

“I wish this day could last forever,” he whispered.

Margaret smiled; her eyes filled with love. “Every moment with you is forever in my heart.”

With those few words, he knew this was Margaret’s moment. This was her second chance. With that comprehension, he was confident, knowing there could be no better life than what he would live. There was no need to change the past. Even though the future seemed lonely, he cherished the fullness of the 60 years he had shared with Margaret.

Sliding one arm around his bride, he contentedly slipped his hand into his pants pocket to stand there gazing upon the setting sun. He felt some grit on the tips of his fingers. Pulling out his hand, he held it to the twilight glow for a better look. Upon his fingertips, there were pearlescent grains of sand. His sight blurred as his eyes filled with tears.

Brushing back the tears, he could see that the last grain of sand had fallen to the bottom of the hourglass. With a heavy heart, he sensed the moment was over. He clutched the hourglass to his chest, thankful for the chance to relive those cherished memories. Upon placing the hourglass on the table, he proceeded to the credenza to retrieve a piece of Margaret’s favourite writing paper. He sat down to ponder what message he could write for some future person needing their special moment. No other words seem as effective as the ones Margaret had written. Setting pen to paper, he carefully wrote, “Set the sands in motion if you need a second chance.” With the note completed, he took the hourglass back to its place in the curio cabinet. Careful not to disturb any of the other cherished mementos, he attached his note to the hourglass.

As he sat in his living room, surrounded by photographs of Margaret, Henry felt a sense of calm wash over him. He knew she would always be with him. In his heart and his memories. With that thought, he felt he would heal one day at a time.

In the days that followed, Henry found solace in the memories of that day. He knew it was best not to change his past, instead he would cherish the moments he had shared with Margaret. The hourglass had given him a precious gift—to say goodbye and to find peace in his grief.

He busied himself with his family and friends. The days he spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were glorious. He eagerly shared stories of his life, recounting every precious moment spent with his loving wife. In doing so, he created fresh memories with those he loved.