Nervous laughter bubbled up in response to
some comment about the need for make-up beyond her standard eyeliner and lip
gloss. Hearing herself she wondered at the school-girl sound and the anxiety it
betrayed. Fixing her hat in the mirror, for life is too turbulent to begin in a
veil, she relented and allowed her sister to swoop goopy mascara across her
lashes. She was ready.
At the tender age of 23 she placed her
chilled hand into the warmth of her best friend’s touch and promised to love
him through good and bad. Forgetting, if only for that moment, that such things
as struggles and anger are natural.
As the happy honeymooners reflections morph
into middle age with laugh lines and bits of gray she contemplates the use of
mascara for a much needed date night. Recalling the naiveté she exhibited once
she looks deep into her eyes and wonders at the life they have created. While the
joys and fairy tale moments have indeed been wondrous, she smiles knowingly for
these things would not have taken place without the disagreements overcome, the
anger soothed with caring words, and the committed bond to see through the
difficulties to the joys ahead.
Jostled from her momentary reflection by
chubby little fingers seeking purchase enough to pull up on her pants she hears
her name called from another child wanting a referee or cook or some other need
met. Quickly she smears some mascara across her lashes, lifts the little bundle
and sets out to settle things at home before she and her love can celebrate the
anniversary of the beginning of their greatest adventure.
Happy Anniversary to my best friend, my
partner in crime and everything else. Though it is a few days late, I am sure
you understand – because well, life just keeps going.
Sometimes you make me cry with these heartfelt writings. He has always had a special place in my heart and I am so thankful that the girl he chose turned into the woman who stands next to him in my heart. Auntie Kathy loves you and your beautiful family.
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