Holding Hands

Last week I had the luxury of going to my neighborhood diner - all by myself for 45 whole minutes!  Just me, toast, coffee and my daily planner.  The place was packed. To my left, a couple of young hipsters - a hair dresser and a musician.  Both chatted away loudly and excitedly about holiday parties and their weekend adventures.  (These tables were close people!)  To my right were an elderly couple in their 70s, who were having breakfast in what must have been their "usual" spot as evidenced by the waiter's familiarity with their special needs -  slightly warmed up milk in a tall cup and a tea extra hot.  I sat squarely in the middle both literally and figuratively. 

I looked at the youngsters and could not help but think about what it was like to be at the beginning of a relationship, when all is new and you just can't get enough of that new person.  They held hands.  She looked at him longingly.  It was obviously a new love.  The elderly couple spoke about their volunteering at the local hospital.  They read the paper, had their beverages and held hands too.  They had the hands solidly denoting a love that is assured - one that has been tested over the years and has endured.  Maybe I was reading too much into their interactions.  Maybe I was just hormonal. 

Life at our house is super hectic - the kids, taking care of a sick grandparent and jobs.  The weeks go by quickly and weekends even faster.  Who has time to hold hands? 
The experts say a "date night" is essential to keeping the flame in your marriage lit. Is that it?  How about 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, a personal assistant to take care of all the "little things" that occupy my time, like laundry and reports  or B12 pills to help with my memory issues?  My dear husband and I are way past the puppy love phase. I am thankful for him - some days more than others. So if we make it through parenthood then maybe we'll be like the elderly couple.  I'll be having a mimosa though.

Comments

[Judy Haley]

beautiful post.

[Judy Haley]

beautiful post.