Friday,Oct 30 2009, 11:26:37 AMLemonade and a Love story

Driving down a deserted Indiana road, I saw a " fresh lemonade" sign and pulled over.I had expected a filling station or small store, but to my surprise, it was a house. An old man sat on the porch.I got out of my car;nobody else was aroumd.He poured me some lemonade and offered me a seat.It was so peaceful; nothing but cornfields, sky and sun in view.

We talked about the weather and my trip.He asked if I had family.I explained that I had just gotten married and hoped to have children someday.He seemed pleased that family still mattered to some folks.Then he told me his story.I share it because it is one I cannot forget.

"There' s something special about families.A wife,children,a home of your own.The peace of mind that comes with doing the right thing.I remember being your age,"he said.

"I didn't think I'd have a chance at marriage.I didn't have the greatest family.But I persevered.Both parentsloved me tremendously,andnow I realize their intentions for me were good. But it was tough. Many nights I remember lying in bed,thinking,I' not going to resk having divorce happen to me.A wife? A family?Why? I was convinced I would neer risk exposing my kids to divorce."As a teenager,I experienced new emotions.I didn't believe in love,though.I though. I thought it was only infatuation. I had this friend. In eighth grade she had a crush on me.we were afraid to let each other know how we felt, so we just talked.She became my best friend.All through high school we were like peas and carrots," She was smart,and beautiful,too.Other young fellas wanted her to be theirs. Ans since this is between you and me," he winked, " I'll tell you- I wanted her to be mine,too."we tried going out once,but thing blew up and we didn't talk for nine months.Then one day in class I got up the nerve to write her a note. She wrote back,and things slowly picked up again.Then she want to college."

The old men poured us more lemonade."she went to school in Minnesota,where her father lived," he reminisced." i wanted to play baseball.i got turned down from school after school, and finally was accepted by a small school, also in Minnesota! It was so ironic.When I told here, she cried.

"We began dating.I remember kissing her for the first time in my room.My heart beat so fast, I was afraid of rejection.But our relationship grew.After college,I did get to play baseball.Then,I married that swwt girl of mine.I never would have believed I'd be walking down the aisle." Did you have children?" I asked. "Four of 'em!" he smiled. " Put them through school, taught them the best way to live as far as we could tell.Now they're all grown with kids of their own. It made me proud to see them holding their babies.i knew then that life was worthwhile.

"When the kids left the house,my wife and i would go again.That's the beauty of it,you see.As the years rolled on,my love for her continued to grow.Sure we fought, but love prevailed.

"I dont know how to explain the love I felt towards my wife,"he said,shaking his head," It never quit on us.it never died.it just got stronger.There've been lots of mistakes in my life,but i never regretted marrying her."Lord knows how tough life can be," he said,looking into my eyes, " I may be too old understand how today's world works,but when I look back, I'm certain of this: nothing in this world is more powerful than love.Not money,greed,hate or passion.World cannot describe it.Poets and writers try.They can't,because it is different for each of us.i love my wife so much.you see,I'll belong gone in the grave with her by my side,and that love will still be burning bright."

He looked at my empty glass," I've kept you much longer than you had probably liked,"he a[ologized. "I hope you enjoyed your lemonade.As you go,remember:love your wife and kids with everything you've got, every day of your life. 'Cause you never knows when it may end."

Walking to my car,I felt the power of his words.It struck me that this man,who I assumed must have lost his wife years ago,still loved her with a passion.I was filled with sadness as I thought about how lonely he must be, with only his lemonade and an occasional guest.

As I set out on the road again, I couldn't get the man out of my mind.Suddenly,I realized i hadn't paid him for the lemonade,and so I turned the car around and drove back.As I approached the house,I saw a car in the drive way.i was surprised; someone else had stopped by.

I walked over to the porch.The man was nowhere to be found.I bent to put money on his chair and happened to glance in the window.And there was the old man, in the middle of the living room,slow dancing with his wife!

I shook my head as I finally understood.He hadn't lost her after all. She had only been gone for the afternoon.

It's been years since that incident,yet I still think of that man and his wife.i hope to live the kind of life they lived and to pass our love on to my kids and grandchildren as they did.And, I hope to be a grandfather who can slow dance with his wife,knowing that indeed,there is no greater blessing than love. 

6 Views | Post Comments | Share with Friends | Recommend

Wednesday,Oct 28 2009, 09:56:50 PMSHARE YOUR FEELINGS

Sharing your feelings with someone you trust may help you feel better.That cpuld mean simply talking with a friend of family member.For some letting the tears flow seems to help them heal faster. For others,simply hanging out together and doing things you normally enjoy, like seeing a movie or going to concert,bar, can be comforting.somehow just being with someone who cares about you can make things feel a little better.

11 Views | 2 Comments | Share with Friends | Recommend

Wednesday,Oct 28 2009, 09:50:19 PMTAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF

A broken heart can be very stressfull.But don't let the rest of ur body get broken,too.Get lot of sleep,eat healthy food,and exercise regularly to minimize stress and depression and give your self-esteem a boost.

3 Views | Post Comments | Share with Friends | Recommend