A Man and a Woman

He gently kissed her on her dry lips, running his tongue against her teeth, tasting her honeyed nectar and wanting more. He caressed her palm and drew his fingers along the creases. Stroking her hair, he remembered when it was rich and full and shining in the sun. The silver threads in her hair felt rough and sensual to his calloused thumbs. He looked with love at her slightly rounded body and caught her as her left knee gave out in electric pain. She was even more beautiful than she had ever been as the present blocked out his memories of the past.

She gazed up at her man and saw his bony shoulders supporting her and giving her warmth. The wrinkles on his face were evidence of the joys and travails of their life together. Wistfully, she remembered his old fashioned proposal when he got down on one knee and asked her to share his life with him. He was there for her at the hospital, anxiously awaiting the birth of their first born. He didn’t care whether it was a boy or a girl since he just wanted a child that was part of them both. He brought her fresh picked flowers from their garden and told her that her vision of loveliness surpassed them all.

He recalled that she was always there for him, with grace and support, when he lost his job, taking two months to find another one. When he became sick, she wiped his brow and bathed his fevered body. She always had little surprises for him such as his favorite meal. Often she would complete one of his chores to save him the effort knowing he worked so hard to support the family. She was kind and giving and loved their little brood. When it became necessary, she found a job and worked alongside him to ease the financial burdens.

Lovingly, she thought of the times when she was troubled and he encouraged her to talk out her problems. She worked on stretching their budget to afford all of them life’s little pleasures, knowing that he appreciated it. She remembered the two of them, encouraging their children to do their best without scolding them if they were imperfect. She emboldened her girls to ignore female stereotypes. She taught her boys to be kind and thoughtful and to treat women well.

She knew that her husband had set a wonderful example for their children as he endeavored to bring them all happiness. He chose his words carefully in order to build on all of their strengths. He held their children, played with them, helped them with their homework and demonstrated, by his own high standards, how the boys could become respectful and successful men and the girls could have self-esteem and aim for the sky.

Both of them set excellent examples by demonstrating their love to each other and their tenderness to their children. When it came time to let their children go, they assisted them in flying into the horizon. Their children were ready, knowing what to do after watching their parents live their full and rich lives.

Both of them took their grandchildren into their bosoms, loving and nurturing them. They tried to also set high ideals for them, although it was hard not to spoil them.

Sadly, they recognized that they were getting to the end of their bell-shaped curves as they gazed lovingly at each other. She accepted the fact that she did not hear so well and he could not walk as far. The two of them were having memory lapses, although in their state of mind, they really didn’t realize it. But the wonderful memories of the past were still with them.

He woke the next morning to find his wife still and without life. He tenderly kissed her cold lips one last time. Curling his frail body up next to her, he felt the life forces ebb from his body as he held her, thinking of her beauty and the milestones they had passed. As he took his last breath, he felt in his heart that they would remain together forever. The legacy would live on in their children.