by Don P. Bick
listening to me as I make this trek up through the forest, up to our favorite place. I’m sure you notice I am a lot slower this morning and more tired than I can remember. But I have no doubt I will make it to the top.
The kids, not so subtly, tried to get me to join them today, but I wanted, no, the truth is, I needed to spend the time with you. The urge to climb this hill and sit in your presence is stronger than it has ever been before.
I don’t remember it being so cold last year. Perhaps I am not remembering correctly or there was way too much pain that day for me to pay much attention to the weather. I notice it today because we used to love to come up here on days like this. We always had them to ourselves. No one else ventured out in these conditions. We would get bundled up and hike up here with our thermos of hot coffee. It was our special time together. And today will be the same because there isn’t anyone else around. I didn’t bother with the coffee though, it is not the same if I am not sharing it with you.
The trees began to thin out as I made my way through the park at the higher elevation and as a result the breeze turned into a strong wind. I pulled my knit cap tighter down over my ears and the collar of my coat up higher around my neck. It really didn’t seem to help much. I was breathing pretty heavy now, but I didn’t have much further to go.
A doe jumped across the path up ahead, startling me for a moment. It reminded me of the time a bobcat did the same thing on one of our trips out here. I didn’t notice it at first and when you screamed it scared the living daylights out of me. We laughed for a long time over that one.
I finally reached the summit and spied our favorite sitting spot about fifth yards away. I looked at my watch and it was 10:34 am. Perfect, I made it in time, although slower than last year by a few minutes. I am a lot more winded than I remember when last I made the trip up the hill, guess I’m not walking as much as I used to.
It didn’t take long to reach the familiar place, just a couple of boulders along the ridge, overlooking a wide stretch of valley below. I stood for a few minutes looking at the spot where you always sat, wishing with all my heart that you were seated there right this minute. Then I took my usual seat and through my tears looked out over the valley below. It was bleak, but also beautiful in its own way. I love the springtime more, as you did, but since your passing I don’t come here in the spring anymore. It would be too painful seeing all the wildflowers, the new leaves on the trees. The valley would be carpeted with fresh grass, flowers and green trees then. Your eyes would light up each year when you saw all the beauty.
It is hard to believe it has been 43 years since you were taken from me, Kelly. I have made the trip up the hillside every year on the anniversary of your passing, 10:53 am on this day November 30th all those years ago. The date falls on a Sunday today. I’m afraid this year might be my last one. At 92 years old I feel this old body has about played itself out. Isn’t that good news, my love? Soon I will be able to join you. And as you also know, I still love you with all my heart, perhaps more so now than ever before. I miss you and hope to see you before next fall. However, should the good Lord decide I have another year or more in me, you know I will be here next year and the year after if need be, even if I have to have someone carry me up here. You can always find me on this ridge on November 30th a year from now if you don’t see me before. That, I promise you honey.
Now you go about your business, Kelly. I’m going to sit here for a while, and yes I am going to cry, but don’t you worry about that. I am an old man now and I have earned the right to do what I want. Goodbye for the time being…I love you, Kelly. See you soon.
And at that moment the clouds parted, the wind ceased, and the sun poured forth its warm rays down upon a lone man sitting on a boulder at the top of a ridge. The tears on the old man’s cheeks glistened in the golden light. All the colors of the rainbow were visible in those tiny droplets. A smile had turned the corners of his mouth up, a contented look had overcome his face. But he didn’t notice any of those changes for he had already left. It was time he was reunited with his lifelong love, with his Kelly. And there was no doubt in his mind she was waiting for him with open arms.
About the Author
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Don is a Vietnam Veteran. Just recently he spent several months in Vietnam working on his war memoirs - The Boy Died In Vietnam. He has written several novels and short stories. His two favorite topics are love and life after death. Visit his website and new blog at the links below. Your comments are always appreciated! Please post a review.
Website - https://www.donbick.com/
Blog - https://www.donbick.com/wordpress/