The Life They Had Created

The Life They Had Created                

By John W. Vander Velden

The sun shone brightly in a cloudless azure sky.  Tom felt the warmth of Joann’s hand as they walked on the wet sand.  The waves thundered as the water stretched and tumbled, rolling sea with its white salty froth which drove the sanderlings on racing spindles only inches ahead of the surf’s advance upon the strand.  Joann laughed at the tiny bird’s antics.  For as soon as the wave was defeated by sand, they pursued the retreating sea, only to be herded hastily by the next foaming brother.

Tom and Joann paid no heed to the six gulls that watched them pass.  The birds content to stand on a single leg while lazily enjoying the early season warmth.  Tom pointed to the line of gray pelican racing above the surf, plunging one after the other into the valley between the swell, only to burst from the water on the wing and away.

Smiling Tom considered the familiar touch of hand in hand, a familiarity that only time could grow.  Forty years shared had drawn two people into a united life.  Now as he walked with his best friend, his champion, his love, he knew that the number that lie ahead likely shorter than the years since he had promised his everything.  But that did not matter, not today, not ever.  The adventure was not complete, and each day opened to new possibilities.

So on this perfect morning, on this perfect beach, Tom shared this perfect moment, only one of thousands of moments, of a life he never imagined building, with Joann.  No one knew him better.  No other had seen all his strengths.  No other had seen him at his weakest.  Tom drew a breath and allowed the air to slip away on the sea breeze.  He looked at his wife and wondered why.  With all her talent and beauty she could have chosen another, but had not.  Surely her life could have been easier.  Joann pointed to how the waves broke ahead of them, as they walked on.  Why Tom’s mind went back to a dark time, when harsh words passed between them, he did not know.  The day when he felt certain she would leave, for he knew he had failed her.  He blinked back the tears that dared to spoil the moment. How his heart broke at his inadequacy, Joann deserved better.  But when the dust settled, when each had really heard the other, when the truth could be seen, and tears had ended, then they found what had been misplaced, their love.  In the years that followed, that love had formed a new foundation, stronger than any that had preceded.  That time was history, perhaps other couples had their moments, but it was such a small part of the years.  A short rough patch of a lifelong journey.

That was most of lifetime ago.  And now the warmth of Joann’s touch, the familiarity of her laugh, and the inquisitive look in her eyes, proved that the past was but a memory, a memory that did not need revisiting today.  Tom smiled as he slid his arm around her, kissed her hair, felt the wind in his face and heard the crash of rolling waters at their feet.  This was the moment that mattered.  Now as newlyweds the walked, in awe of the ocean’s power, as children, seeing for the first time the greens, grays and blues that stretched to the horizon.  Tom and Joann were together, here on the beach, and in every aspect of the life they had created.

(593 Words)    4-1-2015