Precious Sight

You know how you get older and you notice things in a "new"' way? For instance, an elderly couple walking through a parking lot, holding hands. The gray-haired gentleman holding the door for his petite bride. You imagine them having seen the best and worst of times throughout an incredible number of years, say maybe 50? You can tell just by looking at them that the love they have surpasses what you thought love was and what they have is somehow more...

That's where I was today.

I was being guided by my husband because I am too frail to guide myself. He holds onto me as I walk, steadying me, guiding me, making sure I am safe. He upholds me as I struggle to clear the top of a sidewalk or to get into our vehicle. He holds my arm securely as I enter and sit and he latches my seatbelt around my waist for me.

This is not a couple of fifty years. This is us. The very compassion, warmth, and tenderness known throughout a love affair of fifty years is certainly recognized in this one, as well. I see it daily. I feel it endlessly. I know there have been times when I wondered if I had damaged it or ruined or wrecked it through my selfish agenda, and here we are... He loves me. I love him.

Maybe it is just me who, throughout the years of marriage, has put myself first, designed elaborate plans to demonstrate how unselfish I am, and who has reassured herself that there will always be "time". I had my plans, that's for sure... SuperWife; WonderMom; CareerGal; BestestFriend. I did it all. And here I am today and all that matters is that my husband loves me enough to take me for a ride so that I can get out of the house post-chemo.

I don't believe I have allowed my standards to fall...instead, I believe I have been given the rare opportunity to see them grow into what I should have been striving for all along... just love.

So, when you see the sweet little old couple walking into the pharmacy and the gray-headed husband is gently guiding his wife's arm, know that in an instant, that could be you and in another instant, you could be that blessed.

He held her and guided her and loved her forever
She remembered everything about him down to the smallest white scar on his right knuckle
He lifted her spririts
She made him laugh
He protected her from all things mean and vile and horrendous
She loved him as if there were no tomorrow...just in case there wasn't
He doted on her and treated her like a queen, or better yet, a princess, for all girls want to be a princess
She prayed for special ways to demonstrate what her heart was feeling
He placed his life in her heart and her hands
She treasured all things and stood guard
And they loved without end