Musing #23 - "One Story a Week Challenge," Story 2

Hi! I'm a day early, I know, but a spark of an idea propelled my fingers to the keyboard, and, seeing as it is Valentine's Day, I saw this story only fit to post today :-). Enjoy, and happy Valentine's Day!

Hmm. . . which card shall it be today? Read the first two paragraphs of the story (below) and take a guess :-). At the end of my post, I have the correct picture. Keep reading and see if your guess is right!

Imagine living back in the early - very early - 1900's, where surgeries and other such procedures were always risky ventures.
This story focuses upon just such a venture, and involves two sisters - Valerie and Violet. These two girls are twins, and share almost everything together - birthdays, a room, toys, adventures, etc.
One day, however, one was called to share more than she'd ever thought she would . . . 



 "Mama!" nine-year-old Violet cried out the moment her mother stepped through the bedroom doorway. The child ran to her, and, catching her hand in both of hers and looking up with worried blue eyes, questioned anxiously, "Mama, Mama, how is she? How is Valerie?"
 Mama's tone was low and steady, her face ashen, as she replied, "Not well, daughter. Father has said that it'd be best if we took her right away to the doctor's."
  Violet's face drained, and a soft whimper escaped her lips. "May I come, too, Mama?"
  "Yes, we shall all go," Mama answered. "You may sit in the wagon with Carrie while your father and I take Valerie inside."

***

  After that, day after slow day crawled by. Mama and Valerie stayed at the doctor's, and Violet visited them every day on her trips to and from school.

  That Friday, Violet was surprised to find both her parents and Carrie waiting for her at the doctor's. She dropped her schoolbooks to the ground and ran to them, instantly getting folded up in heartfelt embraces.

  "Mama, Father," she said, tearfully, "Whatever is wrong? Why do you both look so sad and sober?"

  "Your sister is very, very ill," Father answered, voice breaking. "And, in order to live, the doctor predicts. . ." His voice broke off entirely, and it was several long, agonizing minutes ere he could continue. Then, taking a deep breath, he finished, "He predicts that Valerie needs what's called a blood transfusion."

 Violet's brow furrowed. "Then why are you so worried, Father? If that's a medicine, then please, with all haste purchase some so that we may heal poor, dear Val." 

  "No, darling." Father stroked her hair caressingly. "A blood transfusion is when the doctor takes someone else's blood and puts it into another body."

  Violet gasped. "How, Father? And. . . who's blood?"

  "Daughter," Mama said, "it is a risky venture, but the only one that can save your sister. Father and I wouldn't hesitate a moment, but the doctor says neither one of our types of blood are right for the transfusion. It'll . . ." She drew a breath and grabbed Violet's hand. "It'll have to be your blood."
  For a moment, there was complete silence. Violet bowed her head. Her long, dark lashes closed over her eyes, and she prayed silently. Then she raised her head, and her voice was steady as she replied, "Yes. I'll do it if it'll help Valerie."

  ***

 "Now, lie still, dear," Dr. Burton said, as Violet spread out on one exam table, her sister on the table beside her. "This'll all be over with shortly."

 Violet looked up at his kind, wrinkled face with eyes unwavering. "It'll be over with shortly?"

  He nodded. 

 "Good." Violet sighed and smiled. "I was afraid I would die very slowly."

  The doctor started, and looked at her with wide eyes. "What was that, child?"

  "You're taking out my blood to save Valerie," Violet replied. "Miss Blake - that's my teacher - says that, without our blood, we die."

  "Oh, but honey." Dr. Burton shook his head. "We're only taking a little of your blood - just enough to help your sister."

  

Violet, Valerie, and Carrie :-)

Thank you, Abby, from Little Birdie Blessings, for  the picture and post (Love so Amazing) that inspired this story. 

NOTE FROM AUTHOR TO READERS: Violet loved her sister so much that she was willing to die for her. Her young, nine-year-old mind did not fully understand her father's explanation of a blood transfusion, and she thought that the doctor would take and transfer ALL her blood. Considering these things, what Bible verse would you include at the end of this story?