BEFORE THAT

The garden in the sanctuary had rows upon rows of white roses.  Tamra carefully pruned each rose removing their unforgiving thorns, thinking back to the white of that snowy day.

BEFORE THAT, Tamra smiled sweetly at the orderly as she pretended to swallow her multi-colored assortment of pills

BEFORE THAT, Tamra’s parents signed on the dotted line as she stood in the entrance-way of the sterile , white, two story building

BEFORE THAT,  Tamra’s mother helped her pack her suitcase and load it into the car.  Just two hours later, Tamra stared blankly at the sign that read “Denbigh Asylum”.

BEFORE THAT, the pastor gave a moving eulogy about Tabitha’s life cut far too short.  Tamra could barely make out the coffin and the dozens of white roses strategically placed around it.  Her eyes swollen and unable to focus.

BEFORE THAT,  Tamra, her Mom and her Dad paced the hospital waiting room praying for a miracle.

BEFORE THAT,  Tabitha’s body lay in the snow.  The snow reddened.

BEFORE THAT, Tamra’s excited laughter turned to screams

BEFORE THAT, Tabitha leaped from the top of the roof

BEFORE THAT,  Tamra dared Tabitha

BEFORE THAT,  They were laughing in a blanket of snow