I'll never
forget the day I saw you in the parking lot of the
local Wal-Mart. Never did I think it could be love at
first sight.
As
I picked up the pace on my cane, I gently assisted you
into the store as you struggled to move the wheels that squeaked
on your walker. When you told me about your latest
operation for back pain, and you listened to me describe
the pain I was feeling from my arthritis, I
knew you were the one for me.
For
so long, I have been lonely as my hair has turned
gray and I can count each one. As we walked
side by side, I wondered if I could muster up the
courage and invite you to eat with me at the McDonald's
located by the entrance. You had a sparkle in your eye
unlike any I have seen for so many years.
I
smiled when you hesitated to order the most expensive
thing on the menu, but I assured you that money was no
object. The first sign of how I knew you were the one
for me is when you ordered my favorite; a Big Mac,
Fries and a Coke.
As
we sat sharing the large fries we ordered together,
I slowly looked into your eyes and wondered, could this
be the one true love God has brought into my life? Could
all of my years of loneliness finally be coming to an
end?
I'll
never forget the slight embarrassment you showed when I
gently took my napkin and wiped the small tinge of mayo
from your cheek. You were so modest and sweet. My
wrinkles didn't seem to be the hindrance I thought
they would be as you spoke of how difficult it
is to get out of bed each morning. Your inner beauty
caused the wrinkles etched on your face to
completely vanish in my mind.
I'll
never forget the toast we made as our paper cups of coke
gently touched with a salute to a long friendship. How
much I did not want the day to end. The statute of
Ronald McDonald and everything around me simply didn't
exist. It was only you and I. The heavenly bliss of a
burger was all that mattered.
As
I slowly walked you to your car, the sound of the
squeaking wheels on your walker, and the thump of my
cane on the pavement, had the familiarity a love song
made just for you and me. So many songs I have heard,
but it was as if this was the sound of our hearts
beating as one, with the accompaniment of so many
instruments.
How
I hated to see you get into your car. When I opened the
door for you and it shut, it felt like closure. I
appreciated more than I can say when you rolled down the
window and you thanked me for the meal. Asking you to
meet me here again in a week took a lot of courage, but
somehow the words flowed from my mouth. So many Big
Mac's, Fries and Cokes have followed.
Thank
you for being a part of my life. So many walks with my
cane and your walker has provided the most meaningful
conversations I could have ever wanted. It's only you
and I, as we travel this journey together slowly through
so many Wal-Mart parking lots in this life.
