She offered no comment but filled two cups with coffee and placed one before me. She seated herself across the table and took her cup in both hands, looking across at me.”
–Louis L’Amour (Passin’ Through)
Mornin’ to yuh, Pard. Glad yuh came to visit me on this very special occasion. Taste that coffee! That is the original, aromatic, flavorful, and mighty tasty Kona coffee. Nope, not a blend, but the actual, guaranteed, good stuff. No, that’s not why the day’s special; we’re drinkin’ special coffee because of what took place on this day. It is a memorable occasion! It’s when my sweetie and I got hitched, and I want to tell yuh that her ol’ brother Jon did a good job of tyin’ that knot. To tell the truth though, I’ve never tried to untie it. It could have been a bow, or slip knot and I wouldn’t dare have touched the strings.
Yep, anniversary number 51. If’n yuh count the year we were engaged, we’ve spent 52 years together. My mercy, think of the many times we sat across the table lookin’ at each other. That’s how we started out yuh know. Our eyes just sort of met, then I guess one of us melted and we blended together. How many cups of coffee have we shared together? At the table, in a motel room, at a campfire, in a cafe, or just drivin’ down the road in one of our steel mounts an; she’d pour me a cup from the thermos.
Nowadays, we often sit, coffee in hand, not sayin’ anything just enjoyin’ each other’s company. Communication don’t just come from talkin’ or kissin’. Much of it comes from bein’ together, knowin’ what each other is thinkin’ and just enjoyin’ the time. Once in a while I’ll get her to gigglin’, maybe a wink, or the way I slurp my coffee. I enjoy hearin’ her laugh, which she does when I clog in the kitchen, though now it’s more of a heavy shuffle.
51, Pard. 51 good years, and I’m lookin’ ahead. Never mind the rheumatize, or the other aches and pains, I can handle them all as long as she still sits with me. She’s not drinkin’ as much coffee as she used to. Hmmm, but I’m still makin’ the same amount. For sure, the Lord sure has been good to us over the years. Why I could tell yuh some tales where He kept us, and He still does.
One thing for sure, I check my cinch. Learnt that years ago, I don’t want to be fallin’ out of the saddle. I know that ground comes up much faster than it used to, and it’s harder as well. Yuh best learn from that, always check yur cinch, keep yur powder dry an’ yur gun oiled, along with yur Bible read up.
Vaya con Dios.