Fifty-Three Years

He was 16 when he first met her. She was only 14 almost 15 when she met him. They were high school sweethearts. The only man she's ever known the touch of and the only woman he's ever felt such warmth from. They've known each other all their lives, but finally decided to start dating.

He proposed to her the day after graduation. After a slightly rocky teenage romance she still felt compelled to say yes. Two weeks after she graduated high school they tied the knot. Through out the years this couple had 5 kids and 12 grandkids.

He put up with her draining bickering. Arguments over how much overtime he should have. Questions such as, "Why he hasn't taken out the trash in time?" For 53 years he's heard her talk down to him. He did nothing more than grin and bear it, smile and say, "Yes honey, you're absolutely right." He supported her through the tumultuous torture of 5 pregnancies, 15 bed ridden days from the flu, and even during her fight for her life with breast cancer. The whole time he has done nothing but support her. Supported her the best way he knew how with a silent, firm, but compassionate love.

She dealt with verbal abuse, threats of assault from the man she's loved for 53 years. Sure many of these were empty threats and her mind learned to adapt to any situation. He was the love of her life, the one and only man she ever pictured being with, but there was that dark side of him that many had no idea of. His exterior layer could fool most of those who had no idea how hot of a temper he had. He would explode over the simplest of questions, such as, "Why haven't you taken the trash out?" When she simply asked him to make an attempt not to work as much overtime, he would sarcastically say, "Yes honey, you're absolutely right!" Yes, he was the one who was around during 5 pregnancies, 15 bed ridden days of the flu and even during her fight through breast cancer, but it was an empty support. He felt obligated and she could see it from his body signals and through the tone of voice he used.

So finally after 53 years she gathered up the courage to walk up to him and say, "My bags are packed I'm leaving you."