Three Squeezes

Sheltered from the cold winds in their tiny little house he sat holding her hand. So many days and evenings of their life had been spent like this. The house was small, with not nearly enough room for the family they had. He couldn’t help but think that her tiny hands , much like their small house were strong and perfect. To look at both you would wonder how either had the strength to raise a family with love and devotion. As his thoughts traveled thru the years and memories he unconsciously squeezed her hand 3 times. He smiled as he completed the third squeeze, the same smile that covered his face the day he got up the nerve to ask her out. The smile that engulfed them both as she said yes and squeezed his hand 3 times. In the moments of happiness and sadness when words would not do, there would be 3 squeezes. Three squeezes during the birth of all four children. Three squeezes, hands held as the pain tore thru her body bringing their children into the world. No medicine could compare to the unspoken comfort of his hand squeezing hers. Hands held tightly as their daughters adorned their gowns and married their husbands. Three squeezes kept her eyes filled with tears of joy as their children all left and built lives in their own little houses. Those same tiny hands cared for him in their tiny house when he became ill. Caring for him and working two jobs to keep them going. Yet every night no matter how tired, she would squeeze his hand three times and assure him it would be OK. Tonight as he held her hand and relived their life he was happy. There is a warmness and comfort that is found when you can look back on a life lived with love and companionship. Even with a life time of struggles and making ends meet they held together, blessed in in the riches of mutual love and respect. Thru the joys and struggles in life they would squeeze each others hands and say everything that words could not.
Tonight he again squeezed her hand, never had he felt so lonely. Tonight children at her side he had gently kissed her cheek. The beautiful eyes that had adored him for a life time did not open. His heart sank as he squeezed her hand again. A sadness over whelmed him as his daughters cried. For all the years of caring for others she had now fallen ill. Months ago he had squeezed her hand as the doctor said it was only a matter of time. She had squeezed his hand when they told their children and friends. She squeezed tight to his hand as the days grew long and more pain filled.
Tonight he had told her it was okay to go, he knew as he kissed her cheek that she would hold on forever if he asked. With all the strength he had he thanked her for a life time. With tears in his eyes he squeezed her hand 3 more times. In that very moment she took a deep breath, her eyes opened, a tiny smile touched the ends of her lips. He looked into those eyes and saw a light and an undeniable comfort. She squeezed his hand and closed her eyes. He held on for a second and then turned and wiped his tears. He held his daughters and comforted them. In his own heart he had found a bit of the peace he had seen in her eyes. In that moment he felt not only the love of a life time but the comfort that faith brings. As he held his daughters he squeezed each one three times. In each squeeze he felt her love warm him, he knew she had not gone far. He knew her strength and love would see him thru till he once again could give her three squeezes………………Land of Rose barkyroseblog.com