The Old Man rocked gently on the dusty porch. A mid-afternoon breeze brought welcome relief from a sweltering summer day. His weathered face peered over the landscape. The slits in his eyes grew narrower as he dozed in and out of slumber. It had been a year since Beautiful had passed away. Married for 43 years, the cancer overcame…life a thief in the night…but quicker. The Old Man had met Beautiful in college, and they united as soul mates, having three children, productive careers, and dreams ahead of them. Then, it happened. The doctor’s diagnosis pierced their hearts like a knife. They knew the journey ahead would be tough, but they held on to each other, hoping for the best.
The Old Man and Beautiful had saved diligently over the years and now possessed a large nest egg that he didn’t know what to do with. Dreams shattered, planned expenses non-existent, traveling alone meant nothing to him anymore. He’d give it all away for one more moment with Beautiful.
The Old Man’s rocker stopped, as he drifted into the afternoon nap. Dreamingly, he recounted his first encounter with Beautiful. A stunning, vibrant lady from the south majoring in Education. It was love at first sight. Next and seemingly from above, he wistfully perused the fruit of his labor, the local furniture store he started after graduation. His three children, now adults, danced around in his dream. Unknowingly, he smiled. Next, visions of holding his grandchildren now roamed through his head. Seven of them, ranging from age 13 to 4. Three of them would be stopping in later that afternoon, he needed his rest to keep up with their pending energy. Lastly, thoughts of the funeral…
Then, Beautiful reentered his dream. Almost conversationally, he expressed his mourning of the retirement dreams they would never share together. Like an angel, Beautiful motioned to her right. As he glanced over, he saw his family. His three children, now married, stood lovingly by their soul mate. In front of them, by family, stood his seven grandchildren. The Old Man’s heartbeat hastened. Before him, he saw the future. He saw potential. He saw legacy. This family would now be his focus. The dreams he had for himself and Beautiful, now shifted to leaving a meaningful legacy to the 13 family members he now saw in his mind. Having come to this realization, The Old Man’s gaze slowly moved back to Beautiful. Their eyes locked. He understood. She nodded. Putting her hand to her heart as she had done so many times in their lives as their signal for “I Love You”, she began to fade from his mind…
The sound of car doors closing… The sound of grandchildren coming into focus… “Grandpa! Grandpa! You’ll never guess what we did today!”…
Giving them each his signature bear hug, The Old Man had a renewed excitement as his mind raced of the purposeful, financial and lasting legacy he would leave to his family.
All with Beautiful wistfully by his side…
