Holding Hands
written by: Henry Vinicio Valerio Madriz
Both have held hands for hours, loving each other for ages… and ages to come.
Through the window, the moon had already shown its silver smile to set the mood for romance, and as approval of everlasting love… a divine witness of love that was not easy to battle for.
“Honey, I’ll always remember the first time you held my hand. I fell off my bike; you helped me up… I fell in love with your smile,” Susan said.
A smile behind Arthur’s oxygen mask.
“Many years later you held it tenderly for me to wear the engagement ring; months later, a wedding ring…” Susan continued.
Arthur was willing to tell his true and only love, as he always explained to others, everything his heart wanted to dictate for Susan to take notes in her struggling mind, building up unique and sweet memories, as they have always done. He just wished she could also treasure this moment as a farewell on Earth but the next greeting in the afterlife.
“You’re holding mine, sweetheart; we’ll do it in Heaven soon,” were the words Arthur’s last breath allowed him to say.
Susan looked at him in the eyes with so much love, with a world of things waiting to be done, with endless words of love that don’t need to be pronounced, with… that Arthur understood she recognized his willingness and faith for their future with this end, as they have always done.
After his death, Susan closed her husband’s eyes that didn’t quit looking at his true and only love, as he always explained to others; kissed her husband’s forehead, first, then her husband’s wrinkled lips, for the last time, and said good-bye.
“That’s good news, darling… that’s good news!”
One tear was born in each of her eyes but didn’t roll down. Susan tenderly smiled.
- Hope - October 3, 2024
- Holding Hands - July 25, 2024
- Another Day - April 13, 2024
