He Looked Into Her Eyes
Children learn a lot of things from their parents. When I was seventeen I experienced one of my most cherished memories.
Mom had fed all five of us children and was waiting for Daddy to get home. He was taking her out to celebrate their nineteenth anniversary. It was to be a late meal since he didn’t get home until 7:00 p.m. Daddy worked three jobs often so Mom could be with us.
August 10th produced a very hot day in Ohio. He did construction work so he faced the outside elements all the time.
Mom greeted Daddy at the door with a kiss. It didn’t embarrass us to see them kiss. It was something that happened often. She had on his favorite dress, her high-heeled shoes and gave him a smile that would warm any man’s heart.
I could tell Daddy was really tired and hot. He sat down on the family room couch and said, “Let me stretch out for 30 minutes, and I’ll get up and get ready.”
Mom kissed him again as she sat his fresh made coffee on the coffee table by him, “That’s fine with me, Honey.”
Mom went over to the couch. She watched him sleep peacefully. I never said a word. I just watched her.
The next thing I knew she was getting out the ingredients for homemade biscuits, fried bacon, and gravy. Then she made perfect over easy eggs. I knew how much Mom was looking forward to her evening out with Dad, but it sure looked like she was about to change the plans.
“Honey, it’s time to wake up,” she said as she sat down another fresh cup of coffee on the end table.
Dad sat up and took a sip of the coffee as he ran his hands through his snow white curly hair. As he looked up he saw Mom standing before him with his favorite dinner in her hands.
“Sweetheart, I promised I’d take you out to dinner, and I meant it,” Dad said, as tears glistened in his eyes.
“I know but you’ve had a hard day. Really all I want is to just be with you,” she said as she looked into his eyes.
I will never forget the look of love and adoration that filled Daddy’s eyes as he looked up at Mom. It was a look and a feeling that no amount of money could buy. They loved each other unconditionally and unselfishly.
My parents had a little over fifty years together. Mom is now ninety years old. Several weeks ago, she picked up a picture of my dad and kissed it. I heard her say, “Honey, it won’t be much longer until I get to come to Heaven and be with you forever.”
Mother’s health is worsening and without doubt she will join Daddy probably before too much longer. Yes, I will miss her but I will rejoice knowing they are together again. This time for eternity. I too, one day, will make that journey home. What a day that will be!
