Sixty One Years Later

On January 15 at 8:26 AM, I will be 36 years old.  Only four more years to the big four-oh.  I have already told you about my early warning system and wrote about turning 35 but things have changed since those posts.

Let me paint a picture for you first, my Cub Scout Pack has "adopted" two Soldiers who are in Afghanistan.  By "adopting" them, the Cub Scouts will write letters, send cards, pictures and care packages to give them a taste of home. 

I met with one of the Soldier's grandparents last week to get to know them and find out more about her.  I pulled up to the small lake house and was greeted by a sweet elderly lady with white hair who reminded me of my own grandmother.  She was wearing a sweater over her blouse and a flowered skirt that went to her ankles.  She welcomed me and showed me to the living room.  Taking in my surroundings, this house was maybe 800 square feet and decorated in your typical elderly person fashion.  Candy dishes filled with candy, pictures hanging perfectly on the walls and an afghan on the back of the couch which you could tell was knitted by her.

In walked the Soldier's grandfather and sat down on the loveseat next to her.  There was a plate of cookies on the coffee table because she knew I was coming over.  We talked about their granddaughter and how happy they were that the Cub Scouts were doing this program.  We talked about my life and how much I reminded them of their son.  While we were talking, I noticed that they were holding hands.

I turned the conversation around and asked how long they had been married.  In unison they said "61 years next month."  61 years!  Holy crap on a cracker!  They have been married 61 years and still holding hands!  That is freaking awesome.  After doing some quick math in my head I figured out they must both be in their eighties but that was impossible, they were both too alert and active to be in their eighties, so I asked.  She was 82 and he was 84.  Amazing!

We wrapped up the conversation and exchanged phone numbers because they don't use that "silly internet" and she ushered me out the door because it was supper time and I should be home with my own family.  I walked through the snow to my truck and got in.  I sat there for a moment looking at the small house nestled on a lake.  I mad the trek home and told The Trophy the story and told her that I couldn't wait to spend the next 48 years with her.

When 80 years old I reach, be like them I want.