Wednesday 22 April 2009

A Truth Quietly Told


C started his PhD after he retired.
He often drops by my office for a chat
and he always has something interesting to say.
When I saw him on Monday
he asked if I had had a good weekend.
It is what you say on Mondays
and I replied, without thinking very much,

"Yes, it was really nice.
We didn't DO very much
but it was very relaxing.
It was just my husband and me."

He turned back from the door

"Enjoy every moment of weekends like that."

I felt terrible because I had forgotten
that he had been widowed in the past two years
and I started to apologise
but he stopped me

"No...please don't think that I am asking for sympathy...
I just want you to know how precious that time is."

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

He is right about that. Every moment counts!

julie said...

Today has been a very long day, and I'm feeling weepy. Also sitting at the computer eating cold pizza--just so you know what state I'm in. :) But this little story was very touching--it's encouraged me to try and get over my blues before the husband arrives home tonight!

I enjoy reading your blog every day and today I thought I'd say Hello

Christy said...

i love that.

Unknown said...

So so true, but easily forgotten in the business of life

trash said...

'A multitude of small things constitutes happiness.' Baudelaire.small moments all add up.

Ali said...

Good to be reminded of that every now and again. Wise man.

MrM said...

MrsM is not such a bad old stick really I have to confess.





Verification word: whiver - presumable short for whatever

Anonymous said...

One old stick that is not too bad deserves another. Lucky you have MrM to remind you of that...

bigbucketgirl said...

oh! that made me go all goosebumpy. he will be on my mind all day now.....

Unknown said...

How lovely it is to have two precious posts from Alice to enjoy with my morning coffee. The last one made me smile from ear to ear and this one leaves me thoughtful and appreciative. You are beautifully expressed as always.

Suse said...

Indeed. It is good to be reminded isn't it?

ps. I believe 'whiver' is the shivery little whimpering noise one involuntarily emits upon one's spouse's discovery that she is being referred to as 'an old stick'.

The Coffee Lady said...

I ought to say something meaningful and appreciative, but I am too busy laughing at Suse and 'old stick'

Jackie said...

Having experienced my fathers death at 65 I can agree wholeheartedly. I have just got in from a walk in the woods where I met a lovely woman who was on her own with a similar story.
Its a good lesson. But not one you want to dwell on too much.

Jackie said...

PS I've just remembered hearing an interview with the Author Kurt Vonnegut. He said that if they were (For example) sitting by a lake in the sun with the family and relaxing and enjoying themselves, his father used to say 'If this isn't nice I don't know what is'. His father said it was important to remind one another to appreciate that they were having a good time, while it was happening.

Gina said...

All too easy to forget!

blackbird said...

Such a thing.(this post)
Such a sentiment. (his and yours)
So like me...(to have forgotten, for the moment, his loss and then feeling such remorse).

How you touch me.