Chairs | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Chairs | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert MacLeod
04/20/07
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“Come on, let’s sit and rest our bones. How long have we been putting these chairs out side-by-side Mary? Do you suppose it was only soon after the kids moved out? Its not that there's a great view from our yard, but it sure helps to pass the time. Maybe we just take this time to try to slow the world down a bit; it has all moved so fast.

Do you remember how excited we were when we bought this place? Just newly married and finally a real paycheck. You made this place beautiful. Your time in the yard showed. I used to tease you about concealing two green thumbs under those old work gloves you refused to throw out. You sure turned this old house into a home, our home. It wasn’t a quiet home for long though was it? We filled those bedrooms fast. Remember how you would complain of the looks you received when you took the children to the market? I can still see how exhausted you would look when I came home from work. We sure have gone through a lot together.

Why did I rush those times? When I look back at our kids I think, why did I never seem to have the time to play. Simple requests like "Push me on the swing Daddy." or "Can you pretend I’m a kitty?" always seemed to come at the wrong time. Not that we didn’t ever play or spend time with them. It’s that I always seemed to be just distracted enough to not be able to enjoy it, always something else to be done. But soon the tables were turned weren’t they? I would ask if they wanted to make some popcorn and watch a movie. Instead of the usual excitement this would bring when they had asked us this question, the response now became "Not now Dad, I’m going to meet some friends."

We knew the time would come. After all we ourselves had gone through the same thing growing up. We had a hard time letting go but we knew they were only given to us for a short time. I have enjoyed them as adults, I am very proud of them, but I miss those kids I used to know. I would give my remaining days to spend an afternoon with them, even if it meant hours of picking up toys.

But here I go rambling on again. Mary, have I been so careless with our relationship? Did I give you the time you deserved? I don’t know what I would have done without you. I don’t know if you can really understand the strength you gave me. Through all the hard decisions I have had to make, through all the times the road seemed to come to an end, it was your faith in me that kept me going. You have been a wonderful gift to me. You gave me support when I didn’t know I needed it, or when I was too stubborn to recognize it. I have always told you that I love you, but I’m not sure I could ever make you understand just how much I needed you.

I’m still setting these chairs side-by-side Mary. I have just grown so attached to our time together. I pray that soon yours will not be the only empty one. I often wondered what it would be like, but now I know I can miss you and have you with me at the same time. The kids come by with their own families now. That helps me, it really does, but there is no support, no understanding like that of a wife. Thank you Mary, thank you.”

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