Length of Days

 

In the middle of this year's summer, our in-laws had to make some quick adjustments after one had a stroke. Life is suddenly not according to plan.

 They are 80 years old, waking up into each day with more focus, more words of love, times of frustration, another day of working to be as healthy as they can. They are tired. They are loved, and they keep loving. They also recommend not living to be so old: "it's no fun." 

Twice a day, mom-in-law is supposed to walk around the cul-de-sac in front of the house they have lived in for 33 years. I imagine the memories they carry of this little circle of their world. As they walk arm in arm, do they talk about young adult children helping them move in, grandchildren blowing bubbles and riding tricycles, basketball games, trees taken down, new trees planted, the neighborhood turkey herd gaining and losing members? Landscape has changed, the town has grown by a quarter, the local high school teams have won and lost, and won again. 

Mom and Dad have lived here as 40-somethings with strong bodies, survived the blows of life, celebrated the people and the places they love, laughed and fought and played months worth of hearts and Uno. Lost weight, gained it back. Welcomed babies with open arms, said goodbye to loved ones with tears. Through their 50's, 60's, 70's, through the late 80's, the 90's, twenty years into the 2000's - and here they are, Dad matching his pace to Mom's as they do a loop - then two, then some days five! - around and around. 

Someone driving through the neighborhood sees an old couple shuffling. I see love, history, a building of lives. Taking a hand again, to keep the legs moving. Bringing the breakfast toast again, for another day of Midwest storms, fireflies, and sun. Talking with family spread from the south to the west and all over Packer land. Packing the car again, so they can return to the Florida home that is their nest from October to May. This love is not rainbows and unicorns; it's hard, vital, real choices every day. And the gold shines through.