In the Park [Updated 4/5/2023]

 The autumn leaves slowly fall, and the bright sun is fully behind a wispy cloud. A brilliant chill is in the air. Clarence didn't mind. He sits quietly on the park bench. Scotty, his faithful companion, rests between his feet, an ever-present friend watching squirrels gather nuts for the impending winter. Hastily collecting all they can before time runs out. Their bushy tails bobbing across the park lawn like gazelle on the Serengeti. A nut here, a nut there, a treasure trove for the winter's keeping.   

The days are shorter now. The air is crisp. The squirrels know it, and with each passing minute, they collect all they can. Scotty gives them little attention. He has seen them a million times. He and Clarence have been coming to this park since he was a puppy, always sitting under this mighty oak tree. 

Clarence has been coming here for so long now; the wooden park bench is familiar and comfortable in an odd sort of way. The wooden seat is worn from age, tirelessly supporting Clarence as well as all the parkgoers for years and years. The paint is worn in spots and flaking in others; brown flakes of paint are caught in the breeze and drift aimlessly down to the ground. Proud flakes of paint bear the badge of honor of having served in this park for a long time. Even attentive and waiting selflessly to attend to whoever needs a rest.

His wooden cane rests next to him to his left, resting gently against his left leg, waiting eagerly for the walk home. But for now, just resting. 

Across the park, a young family is sitting on a blanket. The young family sits in a circle, helping the toddler walk.  Laughing, she falls and, with a smile, begs to try again. The mother, with the smile only a mother and woman in love, true, can have, snaps a picture with her phone. Her husband, holding the little girl, smiles. They all share a laugh.

Clarence remembers a time, the park, in that same spot. An argyle blanket, his beautiful wife, his precious daughter. That same crisp autumn day. 

Clarence remembers and sighs.

Scotty jostles between his feet and settles in against the cool breeze.

It seemed like a lifetime ago, just the three of them there in the park. Just as happy as three people can be. Clarence and his little family. Jessica, his wife, and their daughter Grace made three. 

Grace was born 5 years earlier and truly lived up to her name. She was grace personified. Her every movement is a gift from God; every moment spent with her was like a moment spent with an angel. Her beauty knew no bounds, and her love for everything was endless. The love she held for Clarence and Jessica was more profound than the ocean and as vast as space.

Clarence and Jessica were older than most couples when Grace was born. They had tried for many years and had all but given up hope of ever having children. The prospect of a childless marriage saddened Jessica, but she was happy to spend her remaining years with Clarence. 

She loved him dearly.

From their first kiss under the stars so many, many years ago. She felt it, true love. Unending, boundless love that gets you through the good and especially the bad times. They had been there for each other when times were good and held each other deeply when times were hard. 

They were inseparable. When they were together, time seemed to stop. Nothing mattered. All the world's pressures vanished; all that remained was Clarence and Jessica in the present moment, together for now and for eternity. Their love was without end.

This love would be there when Grace was born and took her first steps. It would be there on her first day of school and graduation, through her first loves and breakups. Their bond was beyond time, and the eternal bond was forged in the furnace of heaven. It seemed their union was blessed by God to withstand the tests of time. 

She filled their lives, making it complete. Their little house was now a real home. The home was filled with laughter and joy. Music abounded in their little home, dancing and kisses, hugs and bedtime stories every night.

The little family would spend countless weekends in the park.

Years passed, and Grace grew into a confident, beautiful woman.

Jessica and Clarence sweetly grew old together.

Jessica now lay in her bed. Tenderly holding Clarence's hand, she kissed him one last time. 

"My time has come, my dear, my one true love; it's time for me to leave you here, but I will wait for you in heaven."

Clarence, through tears, said softly, "When I see you smile, I see the sun, moon, and stars. I will hold you in my heart forever, and tears will run down my face each time I think of you my love."

"I'm here for you, now and forever, my true love. Nothing can keep us apart, not death, not time. I will stand by and wait for that day when we will meet again in heaven. Where we will be new again. Without pain, without suffering, without death, forever, my love, my all."

 Grace, across the bed, holding Jessica's other hand, kissed it and wept. 

Jessica breathed one last breath and whispered, "I love you both today and forever."

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety," He prayed. 

Tears welled in their eyes, heartbroken, and a silent peace filled the room.

Clarence placed her hands gently on her breast and kissed her sweetly, gently, tenderly - a single tear fell from his eye and flowed delicately down her cheek. 

With his hand, he touched her face one last time, caressing her cheek and wiping away that single tear of love. He looked upon her now with boundless love. He was more in love now than when they first met, more in love now than their first kiss, more in love now than when Grace was born.

 He missed her dearly already. 

The spirit of Jessica filled Clarence's and Grace's hearts. Now gone from this world, Jessica's love dwelled in their hearts. 

Grace made her way across the room. She took her father's hand in hers. She felt the warmth of his hand, of his heart. Through the sadness of the moment, she felt safe and cared for. She felt loved. She deeply loved her mother and father, and she wished she lived closer; maybe now she would think about moving closer to home. 

"She's your guardian angel now, dad. You'll always be together."

Scotty wakes from his nap just in time to see a squirrel tramp by with a nut. 

A cold autumn breeze blows and Clarence takes out from his pocket a small piece of well-worn cloth. Inside it is a treasure. A priceless treasure for him and only him. He unfolds the cloth and looks inside with a heavy heart at a small silver ring. He holds it dearly, tenderly, between his fingers. He kisses it, and tears form in his eyes. He holds it to his heart and sighs. 

"I'm so desperate to see your face, as these days go by, wait for me in that holy place. Show me how to live with out you my love, I'm nowhere with out you."

The breeze blows cold against his face.

He weeps. He weeps for a long time. His heart is heavy.

“Until we meet again, my love.”

After what seemed like an eternity, he gently puts the ring back into the cloth and folds it carefully with the tenderness of a sacred keepsake. He puts the worn cloth in his pocket.

Clarence picks up his cane and Scotty's leash, collects himself, adjusts his cap, and with the crisp breeze to his back, turns toward home, only to come back tomorrow.