Everlasting Love

He was hanging in there for his beloved wife. She was not always aware of her husband across the living room in his own hospital bed. Now that their children were taking care of them, and watching over them. It was nice to still be in their own home, dying was a process made easier with the comfort of each other, they had to face this together. It was hard for him to think about loosing his wife, yet it was impossible for him to go first. He was determined to not leave her. He had never left her in his whole life, he wasn't going to start now. He had a clear understanding, a certain peace about himself coming to an end. Still he was not going leave her, not in this way. She laid helplessly confused, she had lost her voice, the cancer would claim her too. He loved his wife more then he loved his own life. He was going to be there for her, even though his old shaky hands wouldn't obey what he commanded. He watched and listened to everything people said or did around his wife, for he knew she deserved the very best treatment. He loved all those moments when her eyes met his as she sent him silent love messages. He would smile right back at her, then her eyes would sparkle. Not everyone understood them, how they communicated. Though he now lived for those private jokes and comforting gestures she sent towards him. She was his wife, after four grown children and a handful of grand kids, they looked back on such a good life too. From their strong friendship to their loving marriage. He had spent many hours lying in bed, weak and shaking from his Parkinson’s disease, remembering their stories, their life time together. He was also grateful to be there for her, just across the living room he felt proud to watch over everything. She was comforted by his huge grin and his clapping of hands whenever she needed help, he stayed alert for her. He also knew what was going on around them even when she didn't. They had a love so deeply grounded into their souls that even as they came to the end, they never let go of that love.

He was very pleased with himself for usually he didn't have this kind of strength to move from one bed to the other without falling down. He slowly, quietly settled himself on the edge of his wife's bed as she sat up to lean against him. Time stood still, hand in hand, he was happy and she was soft. He sat there remembering her once young and beautiful, she use to giggle looking up at him as he was showing off all those years ago, back when they first met. It had taken him what felt like forever to get her attention, Usually women followed him around where ever he went and often in groups they crowded him, they never seemed to notice he was so shy. His eyes would follow her annoying glance, as she stepped away from such a scene. She didn't like him simply because he had so many other girls around. He chuckled now to himself as Her bald head rested against his skinny chest. Illness and old age had taken everything, but their love remained their strength. She was hanging on to him tightly. He was so happy that she knew him, even this close to death. She still knew him! He smiled proudly as his own tears slid down his wrinkled cheek. Sitting together on that warm summer afternoon, he held his wife next to his heart. 

She was just a young short woman living in the big city of Portland Oregon. She wore lovely dresses everyday and worked at the bank. He was head over heels in love with her, yet she wasn't sure someone so handsome could even be trusted. When she finally said "I do." He was bursting with joy, bursting with determination never to leave her side. She was a strong woman in the end, she came from the city to the country and never regretted for a second who she had married. She loved her farm with open arms just as she loved her man. They had been young, so full of plans and dreams. 

He smiled now holding her close, He recalled that she had even danced in this same room one winter's night a year or so ago, He had laughed at how cute she was twirling around. Even with her silver hair and wrinkled hands, she was still so beautiful! They understood that love never ages, it has a strong purpose to be there forever. He always saw his young bride when he looked into her eyes and She loved him completely. She had giggled while sharing this story with her granddaughter, that Grandpa had women throwing themselves at him when they first met. But he just kept on walking up to her. Grandma laughed out loud as she explained "And boy! Those women were so jealous! I hadn't expected him to be standing by my side...after all he could of chosen the most beautiful one if he had wanted." Her granddaughter grinned back in a quick reply "I think he DID!" She laughed again with sigh saying "Oh well now, that was so long ago..." 

He touch her arm, he had to feel her resting against his chest as they remembered together, when they had first met. He glanced up as his granddaughter walked into room but she stopped to watch them a moment longer. She nodded respectfully at him though her own tears silently fell. He wanted this moment to last forever, He wanted to never let go of his wife as she died. The room had a cool breeze moving softly through the open window as his heart said that final goodbye to his sleeping wife. They had lived, They had shared, They would be remembered for their everlasting love.