Happy Valentines Day. Today, I had the honor and privilege to perform at a Senior Center with my daughter Danielle and my friend Meryl. As the Residents were being wheeled in or coming in with their canes and walkers, Meryl, Danielle and I circled the room greeting our audience. We were going to do an hour show about "Love", with songs like, "Our Love is Here to Stay", Kiss Today Goodbye, Always True to You, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and many more. The residents took their seats, and prepared for us to entertain them. There was Mazie, who was 103, Matilda who has lived there for 5 years, a couple from NYC that now live here to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many more men and women.
One couple in particular touched my heart this Valentines Day. I did not learn their names, but none the less, they were a truly memorable couple. The husband came in shortly before the performance, and was a little frazzled, because he was waiting for his wife, and he wanted to make sure there was a spot for her wheelchair next to his seat. In this Senior home, some of the residents need full time nursing, and live on a different floor. This man's wife lived on that floor and he lived in the main building. He was frustrated and worried that she would miss the performance, because the staff was late in getting her dressed. Thankfully, she made it on time for the performance, and as she was wheeled in I saw in her husbands face, happiness and joy that she was there to sit by his side and enjoy the show. I looked over and they were holding hands throughout the entire performance. It was the best Valentine's Gift. Seeing their clasped hands and hearing them hum along with our songs, filled my heart with so much joy, and I could feel the love that radiated from this couple.
The couple have been married for 65 years, still holding hands, still each others Valentine,. and even though they live in separate parts of the Senior Home, and she speaks little and is confined to a wheelchair, their love was a shining beacon of what Marriage and Commitment is all about. I brought them some coffee, and cookies after the show, and I told them, that I hope I am as lucky as they are, and that me and my Valentine will still be holding hands when we are married 65 years.
Happy Valentines Day to my husband Donnie. Will you still be sending me a Valentine, Will you still be my Valentine 35 years from now? Let's hold hands, and celebrate not just Valentine's Day, but EVERYDAY and I hope as we get older, you will always make sure to have a seat for me, right next to you. XOXO
