Love. Isn’t it wonderful?
by Bob Thomas
While eating dinner tonight I saw and elderly couple coming in from the parking lot. She was walking slowly and watching her feet. He was walking in front of her and holding both of her hands. He was walking backwards and looking over his shoulder.
They came in the restaurant and took a booth near me. He sat her down, took off his jacket and put it over her shoulders, saying “Here Sweetheart, this will keep you warm.” Then he sat down beside her.
She asked repeatedly, “Who are you?” She was more curious than upset. He kept replying, “You know me, I’m your husband David”. She would say, with a snicker, “I’m not married.” He would say, “You certainly are, we’ve been married 63 years! What do you want to eat?” She asked, “Am I hungry?” “Of course you are – we ate lunch at 11 this morning. Remember, Mrs. Atkins fixed it for us?” She asked, “Sue?” He said, “That’s very good! You remembered her name!” She said, “Yes, Sue. I remember her. She fixed us lunch today.”
Their conversation continued along those lines for most of an hour…..
When it was time for them to leave he got up and said, “Let’s go home now.” She said, “Why, I’m not going home with you!” He asked, “Where would you like to go?” She said, “To my house of course!” He said, “O.K., we’ll go to your house. Come along Sweetheart.”
They walked the parking lot the same way they came in…him slowly walking backwards holding her hands. She watching her feet.
It’s interesting to me that, if you pay attention, you can see someone pass the test of true love everyday.
The tests are small and quick. So small that the participants don’t even notice them. Little acts of kindness or thoughtfulness that come naturally. A jacket to keep off the chill. A napkin to wipe up a dribble. A hand caressing a shoulder. Hands held to steady an unsteady walk. Patience where patience is needed.
Love. Isn’t it wonderful?