I said to my Sweet Al, “I have an idea for the next article. Who would get married over 80?” Set in your ways. Find a new wife, change your address, insurance and doctors. Keep your kids happy, and hers, and learn how to share things?
Our writers’ group is giving one of our members a wedding celebration for his upcoming marriage. He is over 80. He became reacquainted with a lady he knew 30 years ago. They just clicked, had a lot in common and enjoy each other’s company. He is in love. They had moved their wedding date up from December to August.
Al asked, “What’s the rush?”
“Well, I’m sure it’s not a shotgun wedding if you’re asking.”
My romantic Sweet Al remembered how it was as a young man dreaming the impossible dream.
“How do the lyrics go?”
I looked them up. “Run where the brave dare not go.” The song goes on just as life goes on. “That one man, scorned and covered with scars, still strove with his last ounce of courage, to fight the unbeatable foe, and reach the unreachable star.”
My writer friend has stars in his eyes. Maybe they will be on a honeymoon for the rest of their days. Wouldn’t that be nice? I wish the best for them. I don’t know if I would have the courage to reach that unreachable star. A lot of water has run under that bridge they will soon cross over.
“So, what advice would you give to the happy couple?” I pressed Al again for an answer.
“Just tell her, I don’t care if you sleep with me or not, just let me sleep.”
Everyone has advice for a couple who is about to make that jump.
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou.
“Sounds like a young man to me. Maybe love makes one young again.”
Even a famous quote from “When Harry met Sally”: “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
My Sweet Al and I found love early in life and he would’ve climbed the tallest mountain for me.
But we’ve seen a lot of water rush under our bridge. It almost took out the bridge a couple of times, yet we survived.
For this couple in love, let’s hope those torturous floods have come and gone and there is music in the flowing waters.
Final brushstroke: Al and I have walked together and we’ve heard music in the tall grass. This is our song: “To fight for the right without question or pause, to be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause. And I know if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest that my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest.”
Send your comment to bettyslade.author@gmail.com. I’d love to share them with the other folks in Pagosa.
Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of The SUN.
