My Future
While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in
Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing
experiences that you hear other people talk about
the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly.
This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.
Straining to locate my friend among the passengers
deplaning through the jetway, I noticed a man coming
toward me carrying two light bags.
He stopped right next to me to greet his family.
First he motioned to his youngest son
(maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags.
They gave each other a long, loving hug.
As they separated enough to look in each other's
face, I heard the father say, "It's so good to see
you, son. I missed you so much!" His son smiled
somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly,
"Me, too, Dad!"
Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his
oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping
his son's face in his hands said, "You're already
quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!"
They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.
While this was happening, a baby girl
(perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming
excitedly in her mother's arms, never once
taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight
of her returning father. The man said, "Hi, baby girl!"
as he gently took the child from her mother.
He quickly kissed her face all over and then held
her close to his chest while rocking her from side
to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and
simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless
in pure contentment.
After several moments, he handed his daughter to
his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best
for last," and proceeded to give his wife the longest,
most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed
into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed.
"I love you so much!" They stared at each other's eyes,
beaming big smiles at one another, while holding
both hands. For an instant they reminded me of
newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids
that they couldn't possibly be.
I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how
totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of
unconditional love not more than an arm's length away
from me.
I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading
something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice
nervously ask, "Wow! How long have you two been married?"
"Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those,
" he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's
face. "Well, then, how long have you been away?"
I asked the man finally turned and looked at me,
still beaming his joyous smile. "Two whole days!"
Two days? I was stunned.
By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed
he'd been gone for at least several weeks if not months.
I know my expression betrayed me, I said almost offhandedly,
hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace
(and to get back to searching for my friend),
"I hope my marriage is still that passionate after
twelve years!" The man suddenly stopped smiling.
He looked me straight in the eye, and with
forcefulness that burned right into my soul,
he told me something that left me a different person.
He told me, "Don't hope, friend ... decide!"
Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again,
shook my hand and said, "God bless!"
With that, he and his family turned and strode
away together. I was still watching that
exceptional man and his special family walk
just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked,
"What'cha looking at?" Without hesitating, and
with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!"
Author Unknown
I would like to add: If you know the Author of any of the poems
or stories where I have put Author Unknown, please send me the name
and I will add it.
Thank You.
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