one for the ages--a love story

Way too often--we look at the world through a pair of prescription lens.
The only problem is, these lens were prescribed by Mr. Cynic, himself.
We no longer believe in love stories, sun shine, or frankly, even happiness.
Don't think I'm counting myself out of the mix, either.
I, the eternal optimist; one who never gives up hope in anyone or anything--am guilty as well.

But today, in UofL Hospital-Room 732, proof of hope and love existing in a broken world was had.

It's not that I didn't know my grandparents loved each other,
I suppose it was simply taken for granted.
But they--they're past their prime, you see.
What do they need with love?

Most of the time, my Peepaw is too busy picking on Meemaw for me to see any passion or love pass between them.
I'm a bit more like him in that regard.
Whereas Meemaw is sensitive, prone to tears of joy, sadness, pain--well, just tears;
Peepaw is more prone to laughter or more often than not, sarcasm.
I used to wonder how they ever found one another or thought to mesh.
Peepaw, Mr. Sociable; Meemaw, let's just be quiet.
Republican vs. Democrat; rambuxious vs. subdued--
Just all around 'different'.

Lately, they've been through so much, there hasn't been much time for romance.
These days they were supposed to spend, quietly basking in the glow of retirement and no children, have instead been spent on worries, exhaustion, deaths, caretaking, medical bills, and restless nights.
No traveling like they had pictured--
No relaxing days at all.
Sure, I've heard the stories of green taffeta dresses, wedded bliss, and candlelight dinners--
but I guess it never sunk in.

Until my Peepaw broke down for the first time in my life.
The strongest man I'll ever know--hands like steel, shoulders like brick, taller than a skyscraper.
19 years and I've never seen that man loose his composure.
Not when his daughter was dying, not when he buried his mother, father, and a brother; not even when he was past the point of going.

Until he faced the possibility of life without my Meemaw.
When they told him Sunday night that they didn't think she would make it--
Peepaw couldn't make it.
"I'm not ready--I can't walk in that house without her.--
I'm not ready."
My grandparents have been married for 54 years--but that wasn't enough for him.
And here I sometimes questioned if they even liked one another.

While we waited through procedures, tests, and well, just waiting,
Peepaw paced and prayed; prayed and paced.
Until they let him by her side.
He's a controller--yeah, it's kind of what our family does; sorry. =/
And his instinct took over.
Fluffing her pillow, covering her up, showering her--always moving at a constant speed.
Since Saturday night, he has yet to leave her side.
He sleeps in a chair next to her bed--
but mostly, he just lays and watches.

How many times have I heard that man say "Oh, Larkie"--and look to the Heavens in exasperation.
And how many times have I heard her respond "Oh hush" with a pout.

This is what love is.
This is what should be glorified in story books, not a silly story of a glass slipper.
Our minds and hearts have been fooled into thinking that love is this and relationships are that; but when it comes right down to it, sometimes, you just have to get through.

It's not always going to be perfect or easy or fun.
Hell, you're not always going to like one another.
But when you have someone to hold your hand, and help you walk, and change your clothes, and feed you--
When you have someone that knows your thoughts--and can talk to you with a look, and read you like a book, and can calm you with a touch.
That is love.
Love is needing someone--Love is putting up with someone's bad qualities because they somehow complete you.
Because the truth is, no relationship is perfect, ever.
There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain something greater. But, the love we have for each other is bigger than these small differences.
And thats the key.
It's like a big pie chart, and the love in a relationship has to be the biggest piece.
Love can make up for a lot.

Attraction fades--
Romance dwindles--
and the roses and chocolates won't always be there.
But look around at what the love of 2 people has created.
Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren--
all there at a moment's notice because of what they mean, because of what this family means.

Who am I to speak of love or marriage, right?
I'm 19 years old with little to no real world experience--
but I know enough.

I know what a real love story is.
And this one has nothing to do with ball gowns, kisses at midnight, or an attractive prince (sorry Peepaw).
So take that cynics of the world.

Who needs Cinderella anyways?
I'm living a love story--

that is all.