… a life’s partner

 He sits there –
 somebody’s life’s partner.
 There on a bench
 at the mall . . .
 a husband just waiting
 … and nothing more.
 Patient … quiet…
 ‘mid confusion and noise
 and the scurry of Christmas shoppers.
  
 A people watcher
 he is, of sorts,
 observing the procession
 ‘til his wife returns…
 his hair now silvered
 and less than before;
 his face more wrinkled
 but mellow and calm…
 a life’s partner, of many years.
  
 She sees him now
 from a distance, of course,
 familiar …. dependable…
 always there.
 Soon he’ll help her –
 he’ll give a hand.
 He’ll see what she bought –
 what was on sale …
 and share in her enthusiasm.
  
 When love is seasoned
 it is grand!
 There’s less to say – 
 you simply understand.
 It’s comfortable to be 
 in the presence of this man …
 a life’s partner.
  
 And just when you are 
 truly one –
 when nothing between you
 can come undone …
 nothing that matters, that is,
 not when forgiveness
 is uppermost ...
 not when all that you planned
 is found in a hand
 that you hold …
 and then strangely you’re told
  to let go –
 and let God do His well …
 take him home … with Him.
  
 He’s gone, now – 
 and the bench is bare.
 She misses him …
 sitting there.
 His priceless being –
 their history …
 a gift superior to any
 store bought luxury …
 a life’s partner.
  
 She still feels 
 like he’ll pop-up … somewhere.
 She knows that can’t be real.
 Perhaps he’s sitting at another bench?
 Or went to buy a present?
 Or his watch stopped … 
 and he forgot himself –
 or went to the men’s room?
  
 No –
 he’s gone.
 She knows that to be true.
 The mind plays tricks …
 it will take time to start anew.
 To face another Christmas …
 the falling snow – 
 to dress the tree, again,
 and do it all alone.
 To miss this dear, uncomplicated
 soul .. a life’s partner.
  
 And every Christmas, 
 at the mall,
 she’ll see him sitting there …
 in every patient husband
 waiting on a bench … somewhere,
 and though the emptiness
 takes time to heal
 there’s something wonderful
 about God’s plan –
 for giving her
 this ordinary, special man …
 a life’s partner –
 that warm, familiar hand
 that was always there.