RIVER OF LIFE

As she walks him down the halls of the apartment building, I can't help but feel how much love there is between them. He holds her hand, somehow in his mind she is familiar. As his brain cells get hardened by time, there isn't a lot that can be done. He holds her hand and when she needs to go "out" she gets someone to stay with him.
I watch this for a couple of years, talking to them each time I see them. "How's the weather, did you have a good day, how is your family, man it is cold out there, don't go out today - it is just to warm". As the seasons pass us by one day I am able to really see her, really see him. I take this moment to tell her "you take such wonderful care of your husband" she smiles, "well, he took such wonderful care of me for so many years, and he is not problem, he is such a good man"
he smiles... he really has no idea what she just said but he knows from her voice that she is kind and that she loves him. She has loved him through many miles, many turns and probably even a few mountains! He knows he is safe, he has come full circle with his wife of 50 some years.
The diagnosis comes and she has cancer, actually, they have never seen anything like it and can't believe that she has no pain. She is not afraid. The love of her life is happy somewhere else now... finding comfort in the caregivers that they now pay to take care of him. And the greatest love of her life has her future planned for her... He has gone ahead and prepared a place for her, a place with many rooms and streets of gold.
She settles in to her new home also, him down the hall from her. She is weak and can not talk, he walks to her room and peaks in... you see, he can't talk either. And there is no need for words as their eyes show the fluid color of blue, connecting the rivers of time. She takes his hand and holds it in hers... she tells him she loves him without saying a word - he embraces her with his arms never moving. To see a more beautiful display of love her on earth...
I don't think I ever will.
The Lord Blessed me to know this couple. I have learned a new unconditional love, I have seen a deep faith, and a river of life is flowing as she begins her walk on the streets of gold.