Thursday, March 5, 2015

On my way to the drugstore...

I reached home before I remembered that I had meant to stop at the drugstore to pick up a prescription before coming home.  Slightly perturbed, I dropped my bags, threw in a quick load of laundry, told my teenage son I had to head out again, and jumped back in the car.
I drove, slightly too fast, through the tree-lined neighborhood, my mind singularly focused on the errand at hand.  I knew I would get irritated if anyone or anything got in my way - a dog-walker, a slow car, a bicyclist.  I just wanted to be done and get back home, strip off the work clothes, don my sweats and settle in.  Fortunately the road was clear.  
As I rounded a bend, I saw them in the distance.
An elderly couple it looked like, slowly crossing the street.
I checked my irritation - and my speed - as I neared.  Something about them commanded my attention.
They were similar in stature:  short, slightly bent at the waist. They took small, slow steps.  Each wore a hat.  He, a black, flat cap.  She - well, I didn't get a good look.  I could see each had alabaster hair curling out from under their head gear.  The waning afternoon was sunny, mild, yet each wore a beige sweater.
In the gentleman's hand was a cane, but he carried it by the shaft next to his side, rather than using it. "They're so cute" was my initial thought. "Just out for a stroll."
As I slowly passed them, I took my eyes off the road long enough to see that they were holding hands - tightly, at once supporting each other and loving each other.
My throat constricted.
I drove on consumed suddenly by the fear that I would never find myself in a similar scenario thirty years hence.  
I didn't even know I wanted this, until I saw it.


Quote of the day:  Grow old with me!  The best is yet to be.              ~Robert Browning

9 comments:

  1. I want this too, but sometimes wonder if I will experience it. I understand that lump in your throat, I feel it too.

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  2. What a marvelous piece of writing and how wonderful of you to have been observant enough to "catch" this important moment. I think we all have desires and dreams that we keep buried in our hearts until something unexpected reveals them to us. What is the message you sent to yourself?
    https://barbarasut.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=31&action=edit&message=10

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  3. That's a moment to stop you in your tracks. I think everyone wants to have that special relationship throughout their life.

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  4. I like how your hurry turned to wonder. From fast paced rush to slow paced observation.

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  5. Oh my that was my grandparents 15 years ago.

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  6. What a fantastic moment of your day to capture in a slice! A great reminder to all of us to slow down and hold tightly to those we love!

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  7. What a fantastic moment of your day to capture in a slice! A great reminder to all of us to slow down and hold tightly to those we love!

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