If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I was reminded the other day of a couple I used to know. I was friends with Herb, and I’m sorry I can’t remember his wife’s name. Herb and I saw each other once a week at meetings of a social group. Every Tuesday, Herb would pull out a plastic deli container with the best-looking sandwich I had ever seen - fancy bread, huge slices of ham and turkey, fresh lettuce, cheddar cheese. And an apple, and a bottle of cold water.
Finally, I couldn’t stand it any more, and I asked him where he got his lunch, so I could go there and get one of those sandwiches.
“My wife makes my lunch.” And sure enough, I noticed he always put the deli container back in the bag and she put a new sandwich in it each day.
Herb and his wife were the most devoted couple I’d ever seen, even after 25 years together. She didn’t make his lunch because he expected her to. He would have been happy to make himself a sandwich. She made his lunch because, for her, making the best sandwich in the world was a way of showing her love.
Herb loved his wife more deeply than many people I’ve known. I’m not sure I have ever loved anyone as deeply as Herb loved his “bride,” as he called her.
The last time I saw Herb, about five years ago, his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. Two years to live. I was very deeply saddened. Herb said, “She’s not very sick yet. She’s not just lying around dying. We’re enjoying our time.”
I know that Herb’s loss was great. I also know that having had that kind of love, once in your life, really does make it all worthwhile in the end. I’m lucky to have it, and I hope you are, too. I’m sorry for Herb, but happy that they had each other’s company for 30 years.