The palm trees danced to the tune of its music as I lazily strolled along the seashore. The beach was so peaceful; the breeze laden with sea salt dancing around and drawing me closer into its embrace. My feet hurt but I trudged on, eager to reach our spot. If the white sands could talk, they would laugh at me for holding on for so long.
“What am I doing here?” I wondered, and not for the first time. But of course, I knew why. Daniel! I was waiting for him to show up.
Daniel and I met through my roommate’s mischievous plan to play Cupid’s assistant. I was not ready for love but he did achieve a feat no one had ever been able to; he shattered the carefully cemented walls of my heart. And when he got down on one knee, I felt my heart would burst with joy. I readily said “Yes” amidst cheers from family gathered for the surprise proposal.
The whistling trees, the sound of waves, and cheering guests bore witness to the beginning of our forever journey. “You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said. Looking into his eyes, I saw the certainty and love shining through. And I knew his love was mine to have forever. Daniel did kiss me with much gusto, to the applause and guffaws of our guests. As dawn gave way for dusk, we found a spot and called it ours. Head on his shoulders, hands entwined together, we sat at our spot in silence staring at the beach house ahead that was ours to call home. It was quiet; it was peaceful but most of all, it was perfect! Stepping hard on a broken shell brought me out of the trip back memory lane.
I plopped down on the sand, lost in thought, and watched the tides break upon the beach again and again. And then with a start, I realized half an hour has passed by. Just as I was about to give up, I saw him. It was Daniel, clad in white, with the dimpled smile that made me weak in the knees every time I saw it. Grinning as hard as my jaw would allow, I danced my way to him. When I was a few feet away, I reached out to hold him and feel the touch I desperately needed to feel again. But I could not. And the tears streamed down then, unhindered. Looking up through clouded eyes, I realized he was gone. Again.
I hold Daniel’s love close to my heart and I will never stop coming to our spot; a place where two hearts pledged to start their forever journey fifty years ago. Losing him to cancer ten years ago was hard but the memories we shared gave me renewed strength every day. I started the walk back home. My grandkids called out to me, running as fast as their pudgy legs could carry them. I could see their parents holding hands and laughing a short distance away, engrossed in their playful banter. I smiled, grateful to be surrounded by family, especially today. It was my 78th birthday and I felt like the luckiest woman alive because I got to see Daniel one more time.
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Love,
Diane
