Eventually Everyone Ages

 

         20 years ago, when he was 60 and she was 40, he would always have a wide smile on his face as he escorted his wife from the car to the elevator.

First, he'd let her out of the car by opening the passenger door and helping his wife out like a true gentleman. He would off her his arm and gracefully they waked towards the elevator. He would open the door for her and everyone else who was waiting and be the last to get in.

  Once inside, he'd always have a cheerful comment and start small talk with whomever was in there with them. His hair had turned white but his blue eyes sparkled whenever he looked at his wife and mention how beautiful she looked. She would always smile and agree to whatever he had to say with a nod. You could tell there was love in this relationship.

Now 20 years later, he is 80 and she is 60, he is the one who needs to be escorted from the car to the elevator. However, he refuses the help and just walks towards it not waiting for his wife. He has lost a lot of weight. His eyes don't sparkle any longer and his wife needs to make sure the car is locked up before heading to the lift.

Inside the elevator, he doesn't let even let out a simple hello, or make any comments whatsoever. He hardly looks at whoever is in there with him- just stares at the floor. If his wife doesn´t make it to the lift on time, he presses the button and she takes the next one. He has become grouchy and stubborn.

Nowadays, the wife escorts him to the car. He needs help getting in and out of the car, however, he still drives. The car is still the small white VW stick shift from 20 years ago. To get in he helps his legs one by one and tries to sit comfortably behind the wheel. His wife closes his door and then takes the passenger seat still smiling - very different from 20 years ago, but love still prevails.

 

Written: April 5, 2022 (Observing my neighbors)

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