Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Husband and Wife (08/08/14)
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TITLE: And the Beat Goes On | Previous Challenge Entry
By Veronica Winley
08/12/14 -
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She gently touches his shoulder to awaken him, as she has for the last thirty years. An early riser, she has been his alarm clock because he hates being jerked out of a good sleep by noise. That hasn’t changed. She smiles as he opens one eye then the other.
“Come on Josh. Rise and shine. The sun’s up and you’re not.”
He squints at her through narrowed eyes.
“Who are you?” Her smile dims because she knows he’s not joking.
“I’m Carolyn, your wife,” she calmly replies, as she helps him pull off the covers. More than his words, the genuine look of bewilderment strikes her.
He shakes his head. “I don’t have a wife.”
Skip, beat, beat, skip. beat, beat.
Swallowing hard, she replies, “Yeah ya do and I’m it.”
She persuades him to get out of bed and allows him to lean on her as he slides his feet into waiting slippers. As she gently turns him toward the bathroom, she softly hums a hymn. A day of blows has begun.
Doctors have said outside stimulation may help so she plans an activity, a trip somewhere, every day, although he would rather stay in bed and sleep. Today they are going to the Farmers Market.
When it’s time to go, she leads him to the car and settles him in the passenger seat, assisting with his seatbelt. After putting on her own, she pulls out of the garage, into the driveway and stops at the curb to get the mail. Before continuing, she sits for a moment and thumbs through the letters, bills and junk mail.
“Whose house is this?” he asks. She glances at him as he stares at their home.
“It’s ours. Yours and mine. We’ve lived here for 27 years.”
“Oh.”
Beat, beat. Skip, skip. Beat.
A handsome man, he doesn’t look seventy. People are frequently surprised when they learn she is nine years younger. Always very social and funny, he can still carry on a lively, intelligent conversation, even when he isn’t sure to whom he is speaking and even when he will almost immediately forget it.
As Carolyn navigates through traffic, she informs him they are going to the Farmers Market, because Natalie, Peter, and the kids are coming to dinner.
“Who are they?”
Skip. Beat, beat. Skip, skip, beat.
“Natalie is our daughter and Peter is her husband. They have two children , our grandchildren - Lyle and Kate.”
“Oh.”
He hadn’t eaten much breakfast so Carolyn offers him a granola bar and assists him in unwrapping it. As he munches, he stares vacantly at the scenery flashing by.
“Where are going?”
“To the Farmers Market.”
“The Farmers Market?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” He adjusts his cap.
“For what?”
“Because the kids are coming over tonight for dinner.”
“Whose kids?”
Carolyn blinks rapidly to clear her eyes.
“Our kids. Natalie and her family.”
“Oh.”
Skip. Beat. Skip. Skip. Beat.
Stopping for a red light, Carolyn fishes out a cd and slips it in the player. It turns out to be Amy Grant’s Legacy-Hymns & Faith. When “How Great Thou Art” soars through the speakers, Josh nods his head in time and then comes in on the chorus. “…Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee.” Carolyn joins him and they sing all the verses together.
By the time they reach the market, they have sung along with Be Still My Soul, What a Friend We Have in Jesus and I Need Thee Every Hour. Carolyn’s cheeks are wet with tears.
She is still amazed at how the deep things of God are so firmly entrenched in Josh’s soul. Whatever he has lost, whatever memories are gone, his love for the Lord and God’s Word remain, eternally anchored in his heart.
After wiping her face, she asks, “Hon, do you remember Psalm 73:26?”* Without hesitation he recites it completely. For a moment Carolyn is silent, and then she stretches across and kisses his cheek.
“Come on, good lookin’. Let’s go. “
As he fumbles for the door handle, he looks around in confusion.
“Where are we?”
“At the Farmers Market, Sweetheart - together.”
Beat. Beat. Beat. Beat. Beat.
*“My flesh and my heart may fail. But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (NIV)
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You presented this heartbreaking situation with such love and tolerance even though your MC was suffering to deal with her reality.
So well written. Thanks.
Working in the nursing home industry... I've seen how this disease robs the individual of memories, and the families how they suffer the "emotional absence" of the person while seeing the physical.
This was written with class, humility and is one of my favs so far.
Thanks for sharing.
God bless~
God bless~
But it is your MC that so captivated me. Her patience, mixed with such overwhelming sadness and then the joy of them singing together on the way to the Farmer's Market - it was all so realistic and felt so genuine. This is a character you can relate to and empathize with.
What a great job you did. I'm sure this one will do well this week. Thanks so much for writing and sharing it with us.
God bless~
Your MC couldn't be more real. ;-) By your creative hand she comes to life, and we are captured by her devotion and love
Congratulations for another win.