101 things about me

Monday 11 August 2008

Overheard conversations...

On the week-end, I was visiting a friend in hospital and arrived just at the end of the rest period. The friend was still asleep, so I made my way to the patients sitting room to wait for a while.

I took a seat on the sofa and opened a magazine which did little to hold my attention. There was an elderly couple sitting together talking. They both sat at the only table in the room, facing each other with their hands resting together on the table between them. He was obviously a patient (being dressed in a flannelet dressing gown and slippers) and she was his wife. I know this because I had seen her arrive at the hospital a few days earlier with his walking frame and as she wheeled it along at a brisk pace, she informed us it was for her husband.

It was impossible to ignore the conversation. She spoke quite loudly and he spoke with a very proper English accent, not unlike what I would expect of an army Colonel. Their shared conversation bought a smile to my face. The first thing that got my attention was his distinct voice saying (without a hint of hesitation) that "the only thing that is keeping me going, is the strength of my love for you my darling". She smiled at him and squeezed his hand and commented about the view.

She continued with her talk of getting older and how, now that she was 84, she had to limit herself to only one visit a day. He agreed wholeheartedly, saying she was not to exhaust herself. "It's not like I'm 80 anymore you know" she replied with another smile and another squeeze of the hand.

"I do love you, my darling" he said later in the conversation and she smiled and they were silent for a moment in each other's company. She did not return his words, but she continued to smile and her face glowed. That their feelings were mutual was without question. They were there for one another and no-one could intrude on their time together.

The above image was created using WORDLE.

18 comments:

Dees said...

awww thank you for letting us join this lovely conversation also,it is heartwarming!xoxo

Sherrin said...

That is so lovely. I want to be like that with my man when I am that age too. *sigh*

Sherrin said...

- and I've passed on a couple of wards to you. :o) come have a look.

Juddie said...

Lovely! Makes me think of my grandparents - they were born on the same day and were together for more than 70 years.

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

That is so beautiful!

Lilli boo said...

Thar has certainly put a smile on face...it's lovely to think we can find such beauty where ever we travel..

trash said...

That is a verbal form of watching an old couple walking along holding hands. I love that.

Maureen Reynolds said...

"...I'm not 80 anymore..." That is so touching. I really enjoy worldle tho I don't think I should go back if I want to get other things done!

Malcolm Garth said...

Now I understand why you wouldn't tell me this. Tears!!!


:)

Jodi said...

So beautiful. I sometimes have elderly couples in my yoga classes. One couple in particular come quite often and they move in-sync. When they are lying down during the guided relaxation they actually breathe in-sync. It's gorgeous!

kate said...

Oh this is too sweet, it makes me nearly cry! Thankyou so much for sharing, I hope I am that in love when I am 84!

Two Peas In a Pod said...

Aww, what a beautiful story. I only hope that I am half as happy as they are when I am that age. Love is in the air :)
Cheers Kyla

Anonymous said...

Oh... my... goodness.

That is all.

Shannon Lott said...

Hello! This is such a sweet sweet story. I would have cried on the spot. I love the name of your blog too.

Red Hen (dette) said...

Yes it is beautiful but I'm going to admit to being a little jealous. Being pretty much single for years and years I am beginning to feel I will never experience that kind of love. So you bought me (almost) to tears on two levels!!!

Kate James said...

Great post...your blog has come a long way. It looks great.

Nikki said...

I didn't have time to comment when I first read this, but the story has really stayed with me. Too beautiful!!

Bird Bath said...

What a lovely snippet of a conversation...like a daydream. wouldn't it be wonderful to have such and enduring love?
Great idea for the wordlinks tool.