The Dock - A Love Story

I remember the day when you left.  The pain you felt.  The pain I felt.  I loved you for so many years.  I tried to tell you that, every day.  I’m not sure I understood how to, but I tried.  I hoped you heard.  I hope you understood.

I thought to bring you flowers said enough.  I didn’t know.  My family never displayed affection, that I can remember, so I was always at a loss when it came to that aspect of life, of relationships.  It was a problem you never seemed to have.

You were always so beautiful, so energetic.  I remember the when we met, teenagers at the homecoming game.  We scored the winning touchdown and you turned and gave me the biggest hug, deafening me in the process with your excited screams.  I could have been anyone standing there, but I wasn’t.  I felt that I was in love that night, amid all the lights and noise.  After the walk down to the dock at the country club, I knew it.  I tried to kiss you that night.  Remember?  I failed miserably in my naiveté, but you smiled and tutored me.

I loved you for the next seventy years.  Through three wars, you were all I could think about on the battlefield, and off.  I wanted to think of no one else.  If I couldn’t be with you, then I would rather be alone.  That was how much I love you.  And then, you left me.  Not that you had much of a choice in the matter.  I love you, and it broke my heart.

So, every Sunday I go back to visit that old dock, thinking of you, again.  Sometimes I find myself, like this morning, sitting with my bare feet in the water.  Sometimes I find myself sobbing, feeling sorry for myself that I am alone.  I guess I’ve been waiting for you to come back.  It is selfish of me, I know, thinking that you would remember me.  But, I come anyway, just in case.  I bring a flower, when they’re in bloom, to toss into the Sound.  Maybe one of them might find its way to you.  I could only hope.

Then, one day, when I heard a sound behind me, I turned to find you standing there, still as pretty as the young girl at the game.  You looked older, yes, we both are.  But, you are still just as beautiful, with your shining white hair and frilly white summer dress.  You smiled and said nothing as you reached up to wipe the tear from my cheek.  I, also, couldn’t speak.  I also couldn't take my eyes from you.  

You took my hand and helped me up.  I reached for my cane but you shook your head and I left it on the weathered timbers at my feet.  I somehow knew I wouldn't be needing it.  You walked me away from the dock, out across the water of Puget Sound. 

As we left, I looked back at that old dock for the last time.  I saw an old man sitting there with his feet in the water, leaning against a piling as if asleep, his cane resting on the dock next to him.  His VFW hat set rakishly on his bald head.  I thought to myself, "Goodbye, old fella."

You squeezed my hand and I turned back to look into your bright, green eyes.  I thanked God that you remembered, and came back for me.

I love you.

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Life is all about experience, about winning and losing, and about how we play the game.  We fall in love and out of love.  If we're lucky, we find someone to share all of who we are and cherish what they share with us in return.

Give of yourself.  Do it selflessly, without any thought of recompense.  How much we share shows how much we care, and how much we care for others is priceless to those in need.  Sooner, or later, we will be remembered.  Our love will be paid forward or, in some cases, come back to us.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.