LOVE FOR LIFE AND BEYOND
Chapter Eighteen
About six months after they visited Dr.
Wilkes, Margaret Josephine Dawson was born. When she was old enough to travel, they
went on a trip around the world—saw all those places they had talked about
seeing, did all the things they had talked about doing. They did it all.
They even added a few extra things to the
list. The idea of riding camels across the Australian desert had never crossed
Rose’s mind when she was on board the Titanic.
They enjoyed it, apart from the fact that Rose
had about half the desert in her clothes at the end of the trip. They stayed in
Australia for two months, visiting the gold fields and the opal mines, and
little Molly found an opal! Her parents had it set in a ring for her.
After Australia, they headed up to Canada and
spent the winter there in a log cabin—hunting, fishing, and telling stories
around the fireplace. That was the first time they spoke about the Titanic to
Molly. She understood pretty well, considering that she was only about seven at
the time.
They took her to one of the memorials and she
was so quiet and stood so still that Rose thought something was wrong. Then she
turned to her and said, "It must have been an awful way to die." Jack
and Rose were touched by her childish innocence and sincerity. Rose hoped no
tragedy like the Titanic would ever affect her life.
Molly was almost fifteen years old when they finally
settled down. She was thoughtful and serious. Jack thought it must have come
from Rose’s father. It certainly didn’t come from his side of the family!
She’d grown up right before their eyes. Maybe
she’d add something to their story when she grew up—but for now, the story would
be laid to rest. Jack and Rose returned to Chippewa Falls, and that was where they
would stay for the remainder of our lives. Their love would last for life and
beyond.
The End.