When Love is What Remains

Every time I see her she tells me how much she misses her husband.

He’s usually in the next room.

And she watches as over 60 years of memories slowly dissipate like a mist before her eyes. But, he hasn’t forgotten how much he loves her. And somehow the playful flirting that probably kept their marriage alive still makes its way to the surface.

Somewhere in those 83 year old eyes, I see that young 20-something who was so besotted by that handsome man a few years her senior. She’s still there. Still captivated. There’s no way you can be married for over 60 years and not have had your share of life hurricanes.

Yet through it all they remain. Laughing and joking and flirting and still so in love. Even as he slowly slips away.

I’m pretty certain it’s what we all want.

I’m pretty certain it’s what I found in her grandson.