During one of my visits to the hospital to see the old fella I spent some time with the spritely gentleman in the next bed who was ninety years’ young. He’d had a similar accident to my Dad but said he had sadly resigned himself to never returning to his lovely little bungalow with the beautifully tended garden.
He confided in me that he had never had cause to stay in a hospital before and had kept himself busy nursing his wife through a stroke for the past twenty years. As I made us both a cup of tea in the small ward kitchen the nursing sister told me that when his wife was eventually admitted to hospital he used to visit her every day come rain or shine and would stay from early in the morning to late at night.
As we chatted over our cup of tea and a chocolate digestive biscuit he proudly told me with a twinkle in his eye that he had been married to the love of his life for sixty-nine years but smiled as he said “mind you, we’ve had our ups and downs”. As an incurable romantic I had to ask him if he knew the first time he met her whether she was the one and without hesitation he said “absolutely”.
He said that he’d first met her at a fun fair and after he’d sweet-talked her into sharing a dodgem ride he’d asked her to a dance and three children and seven grandchildren later they were still together. After another chocolate digestive he went on to tell me that she was now in a nursing home and he would be joining her at last. I remarked how nice it would be for them to be together and he leaned forward and whispered “She has dementia m’dear and hasn’t recognised me in over ten years but I’ll be happy if it’s my face that she sees every morning when she wakes and the last one she sees before she goes to bed.”
As I sat holding his hand he smiled and I could see his mind wandering back to happier times and I envied him as he had found that which all of us longed for but which many seldom find within their lifetimes. I choked back a tear as I realised that he already knew how blessed he had been.
Everyone knows how to love but only a few know how to love forever
Beautiful.
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Thank you, although, I can’t really take the credit for this gent sharing his heartfelt story with me
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Oh my. How you managed this beautiful conversation without crying thru the whole thing, I’ll never know. He is, indeed, blessed. And my New Year wish for you dear, lovely, valuable, amazing Tink…is to be blessed this way as well. Much love and thank you for sharing this wonderful, uplifting tale of love. Hugs to you and please give Dad a warm hug for me too. xoxo
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This dapper gent was a bit of a card shark (we played snap) to pass the time whilst my old fella was having Physical Therapy but I did feel blessed to have spent the afternoon with him
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. . a delightful encounter nicely retold – reminded me that J and J are heading that way – most of the time! 😀
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Then you are indeed blessed Alan; Happy New Year to you & yours
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What an utterly charming story. So glad you could be there for him to tell you and that you could pass it on to us! Happy 2016 to you and your family.
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I felt truly honoured that he shared his story with me and Happy New Year to you too; looking forward to many many more animal stories in 2016
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Wishing you the very best in the New Year, Dallas! You are such a gifted writer. Hope your dad feels better each day. I’m sure just seeing you makes a world of difference! And for his buddy in the next bed, he is most lucky to have you as a visitor as well.
Shared your post on FB, it’s so touching. Nice job!
Marsha
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I’m hoping all your dreams come true in 2016 too Marsha and thank you so much for sharing. It was a real pleasure to spend the afternoon with such a gent so I’m glad you liked his story
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A lovely romantic story and well told. I am sorry to read about your dad’s accident Dallas, but glad he is recovering well. Wishing you and him and your entire family, good health and much happiness in 2016.
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How beautifully you have shared the real-life story of life well-lived. Thank you for sharing this gem with us that would have remained hidden from many without your lovely post. Happy New Year!
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I felt honoured that he shared his story with me on a rainy afternoon & the Happiest of New Years to you too
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I hope you have a wonderful 2016 x
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And the happiest of New Years to you too
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Thank you. Btw I still can’t wait to read the rest of your book. Hope your dad feels better soon x
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From your lips to God’s ears as my old Grandma would say maybe I’ll get lucky in the NY & pleased to report the old fella is on the mend (at last)
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Amen! May my prayers for you be accepted! Good to hear x
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My dear friend. I have come back to this post several times for it is a story that must be remembered. One of my most favourite quotes about love comes from dear George Eliot, “what greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life – to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?” There will a time when old age comes, but let it come with joy and courage. Thank you for all of your marvelous posts over the past year. I am glad that we are beginning a fresh new year together. 2016 Here we come; let the adventures begin.
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As I try to catch up with reading (eventually writing too) I am so happy I never pass a chance to read you. This was indeed a fortunate encounter, a reminder there is love to be had and love to hold on too. We all move so fast through life, unwilling to fight for what is worthwhile we too often miss our opportunity.
Thank you for sharing this one my friend. Happy New Year and hoping all in your world is well.
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Happy New Year to you too. I loved your poignant bittersweet comment about love so much I came back to it again and it will remain with me for a while
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Oh my goodness, that made me teary. That is true love…being together through the good times and bad; even when they don’t remember you any more.
I’m sure you were sunshine in his day.
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A beautiful story that only you know how to write 🙂
I might try those chocolate digestives too some time haha
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Dear Dallas, I’m so glad you could be there to share such a sweet moment.
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I felt incredibly lucky to have met him and even humbler that he shared his story with me
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