> In loving memory of Winona > by Lunnana > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Roses of Sympathy > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Loving Memory of Winona, Gone, but not forgotten, Far away, but not apart, Up in a better place But still safe within my heart. Love from your thankful family. Winona had woken up to a normal day, same to Applejack. They had gone to the park together, but Winona had refused to retrieve the stick when Applejack threw it. She instead laid on the grass quietly until she was taken to the vet, that was when Applejack became so quiet. When she was told of Winona's death. 1 year later~ 'C'mon Applebloom, y' don't wanna keep Winona waitin' now, do ya?' This had been the first time Applejack had been able to bring herself to talk of Winona since her unfortunate death a year back. 'I'm on ma way, sis!' She called back from above the staircase. The two sisters wore a simple smile on their face that morning as they prepared themselves for Winona's visit. Applejack had her empty satchel hung over her back as she trotted down the path towards the town. Applebloom followed her, trotting by her side when they had left. 'Where we goin' first, hu Applejack?' Appleblooms voice was almost a whisper, though she had the same sweet little smile stretched across from her cheeks. 'We'll go to the flower shop. We should buy her some roses, she's always loved the roses.' She sighed, remembering Winona when they used to go to the flower shop. They both heard the ringing sound of the bell as they opened the door. As soon as Applejack had stepped in, she wandered around, searching for the red roses, Winona loved the red roses. 'What can I help you with?' A gentle voice asked from behind the counter. Applebloom stood on a box as she emerged from beneath her view. 'We'd like some roses for our dog, she'd love the red ones.' For a moment, the florist cocked her head in wonder, but understood by bringing it back upright and holding out a bunch of neatly rapped red roses. 'How much will that be?' Applejack had brought herself over to the counter and placing the roses into her satchel. 'You just take them, as a gift.' She replied, her eyes full of sympathy. 'Thank you!' Applejack and Applebloom exited the Flower shop, finally on their way to Winona's peaceful resting place. > Tears from lonely thoughts > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The hinges of the old gate squeaked as Applebloom pushed it open. She waited for Applejack, who had seemed to slow down in depression the closer they got to the church. Applejack wandered over to the familiar headstone and sat beside it, she stayed quiet as she stared down at the same ground that buried the family member. The filly rested next to Applejack as she reached into her sister’s satchel and laid the roses above the soil. It was then, almost impossible for Applejack to hold back drizzling tears that splashed on the cold grave. Applebloom knew how lonely she felt inside without Winona, she knew how much Applejack cried when she left, but she knew, deep inside of her sister, Applejack was more than happy to be sat beside her again. As Applejack gave in her small tears, she thought of Winona and how they would play together. She thought of the first time she ever saw Winona, the lonely puppy she was. She thought of the first time she had given Winona a hug, and many more after that. Without Winona around, no matter how long it had been, Applejacks heart seemed to be missing the one piece that made her laugh and smile. Her wonders were disturbed by a little hoof patting her on the back, Applejack looked up at Applebloom, and wrapped her hooves round her as she brought her in for a hug. Applebloom returned the hug, pushing her muzzle into her sister’s blonde mane. She could very nearly feel Applejacks emptiness, but it was much more than that. Just the feeling of Applejacks hug was enough to make her cry. ‘Let’s go home.’ Applebloom cooed softly in Applejacks ear. They released each other, and stood on their slightly muddy hooves. > The ghost from the old photo > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applebloom waited for her sister at the gate, leaving time for Applejack alone. She watched her sister take her hat from her head, and hold it near her heart before placing it over the small grave. She saw Applejack bend down to the grave and whisper something, something sweet that summoned a tear across her cheek. ‘I’ll see you again soon, old girl.’ Applebloom and Applejack stayed silent as they wandered back to the farm house. The tears were still stained on Applejack's face. She had left her hat at the church yard, above Winona. Applebloom looked up at her sister as she opened the farm house door, and stepped inside. They wiped their hooves on the mat. 'How did it go?' An old voice called from within the next room. Applebloom knew Applejack wouldn't want to talk about Winona without being next to her, so she replied herself. 'Fine, Granny Smith.' She trotted in the room as Applejack trudged up the wooden stairs. She could hear them chatting. 'What was that?' 'I said it went fine!' Then their was silence as Applejack had closed her door, she immediately walked over to her drawer, and picked up the dusty picture frame that showed a touching hug from two young best friends. Applejack sat on her bed and peered out the window and stared at the sun that was just beginning to set. There were no more tears to cry, only the depressed look on Applejacks face could show how empty she was. A small smile suddenly perched on Applejacks mouth as she looked out the window. There was the same hill that held beautiful flowers, there was the same barn that showed wonderful colors, there was the same star filled sky that sparkled in Applejacks eyes, and there was also, just on the horizon, a little transparent brown dog that returned the same loving smile across through Applejacks open window. The glowing figure stood on the grassy hill, making no sudden movements. It was true that Winona longed to feel Applejacks warm, comforting hugs again. Now, Applejack could barely see Winona, she didn’t stay exposed for long. The ghostly figure faded away, leaving no trace it was ever there. At that moment, Applejack felt suddenly empty again. A single tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek that still held the same little smile on her face, and dripped onto the picture that was clutched in Applejacks grasp against her heart. Maybe they would meet again, but all they could do was to wait for each other. ‘I’ll see you again soon, old girl. I promise.’