A valentine rested on two stuffed chairs in front of a recently closed Victoria Secret store. The hand holding couple had been walking stooped and slow, neither as tall as they once had been. Once, the mall stores sold jewelry, clothing, shoes, caps, food and trinkets. Now artists fill those locations with dancers, theaters, paint-your-own-pottery, photographers, paintings, homemade rugs, and doll houses. The valentine couple was oblivious to the hip hop studio, the children’s birthday party and the rest of us bustling by. They were intent on making it to their car. As I passed by, the husband said, “Let’s go over here,” motioning to the chairs. On my next round, the valentine was gone.
There had been a time, 60 – 65 years ago, when they also walked slowly holding hands, stooped in toward each other, oblivious to the world around them. Oh, they were in love. They had promised before a preacher, “for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,” not giving that pledge much thought. Life changed. Love changed. They no longer stride confidently into the day with all of life before them. Now they hold hands to support one another. They are relieved to make it to the car and home again. Supper will be a bowl of Cheerios. It’s enough.
A valentine will go to bed early tonight.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
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