Tuesday, February 14, 2017

A Long Love

Theirs was a long love.




I can't vouch for the early years,
I wasn't there then.

But a few years after this photograph was taken,
a dozen or more cousins and numerous uncles and aunts present,
I saw evidence that there was more than sweet smiles
between my grandfather and grandmother.

We were all outside awaiting home-churned ice cream,
aunts talking up a Tennessee tornado,
uncles joking and wondering if the ice cream was ready,
cousins pairing off by age.

No one was paying much attention to the old couple,
but I was.

I saw Grandpa walk behind Grandma's folding chair,
bend and kiss the top of her head.

And with a mischievous smile he.....

he slid a hand in the bodice of her dress.

She slapped his hand away and fussed,
"Oh, William!"

He smiled and walked away.

There was a sparkle in Grandma's eye.


[added for Valentine's Day of 2018, the photo below
taken maybe 5 years or more later at their anniversary]



Grandma's head moves, blurry photo.
Grandpa might be saying something funny
but I prefer to think that he's still
telling her she's beautiful to him,
telling her that he loves her.

Still in love.




4 comments:

  1. Wonderful remembrance! Perfect for Valentine's Day.

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  2. What a romantic memory to cherish on this Valentine's Day, so many years later, of your grandparents' adoration for each other, and especially at this stage of your own life as a grandparent to so many adoring grandchildren of your own.

    Happy Valentine's Day, sweet friend!

    Love,
    Poppy

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  3. I absolutely love this.
    XOXO♥
    what a precious memory.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi - just discovered your blog thanks to Dee Hardie and Gladys Taber...researching those two wonderful ladies and authors. Your blog is lovely! And your home is, as well. Please keep blogging! :-)

    ReplyDelete