“I think we need to return,” he whispered in her ear. An ear he knew so well, shell-shaped and as pink as a wish.
“No!” she protested. “We’re safe here. Let’s just roam.”
His smile, small and protective, told her everything she needed to know.
“It’s okay, you know. It’s okay the way things are,” he assured her.
Pulling away from him, she grabbed his hand and pushed through the crowd. “Not yet,” she said as firmly as she held his hand.
Over the years, his hand had held her breasts and her desire. His hands had raked their yards and painted their walls, barbecued weekend meals and hugged their children.
Now, they could barely move in this crowd of others – others who also wanted to escape from reality just for a little while. But she couldn’t catch her breath. She stopped, panting.
Otherwise, her body felt so strong and alive. She pulled her hands up to her line of vision: unlined, unmarked with spots and veins. The way they had been, so long ago.
She stared into his eyes now, the two of them just drinking the other in. She saw herself reflected in his eyes: her youth and beauty, rosy cheeks and soft lips.
“I want to go back,” he said. Just those simple five words, but they said it all.
They did not belong here anymore.
She nodded as gently as a flower responds to a drop of rain.
They both closed their eyes, squeezed hands, and he chanted:
Time is gone. Gone is time
We return to what we are
From what we once were.
Time erases and time revolves
Now bring us to the time of now.
The bump from once to now was imperceptible, so at first neither knew if the incantation worked. But then they opened their eyes, and he stared into her weathered face and fading brown eyes. She smiled into his craggy features full of the years of hope and fears, of disappointment and great joys.
His eyes teared with emotion and they began to rock together on the front porch of the one-story brick building that stored the elderly, past their prime, dreaming of once before.
An interesting story. 🙂
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The top photo asked “what’s going on here?” And suddenly, somehow I knew that this couple had time traveled to their younger selves. ;-0
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Yea, I got the time-travel bit 🙂
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🙂
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So sweet and poignant!
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Thanks, Darlene. For those of us into (or past) middle age, I think we begin to relate.
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Lovely story, Pam. ❤
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As you say in your post Jill, this is why we believe in the power of romance. ❤
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We were certainly on the same page with our Friday post, Pam! ❤
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I found it splendidly poignant, too
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Thanks, Derrick. I think many of us understand this couple….
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Oh, the mysteries about time and change, and what stays the same.
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And the magic of those mysteries!
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Somewhere along the way, I sensed aging was involved … but the ending was more positive than I anticipated. Well done, Pam!
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I’m not sure if humans are more afraid of dying, or of aging. But it’s time we put a more positive spin to the realities of both. ;-0
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Such a lovely story, Pam, but it’s the very definition of bittersweet. I’m glad they’re together (it’s kind of like the true-life story Jill posted today), but there is this: “the one-story brick building that stored the elderly, past their prime, dreaming of once before.”
And we both have our moms. . .funny I was just thinking about that earlier this morning.
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I’ve definitely learned more/seen more, watching the aging of the elderly, and what they face. And truly, what we all face.
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I love this!
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OH! Thank you so much Cindy.
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Hm. I’m feeling both hopeful and nostalgic after reading this. Time goes so fast.
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I was surprised (and emotional when writing) when the husband in this story showed that he wanted to live in the present, with all the memories behind them, but still, the two of them together in the “now.”
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I think that’s beautiful.
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So emotional, even more so as I age!
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So many times the realities of aging are glossed over. But with my mom in her mid-90s now, I’m seeing first hand how difficult it is to be old, and yet how inside, most feel the same as when they were 30.
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I’m sure that’s true. Wow, mid 90s is amazing!
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Are you sure you aren’t writing about the Beamans, married 52 years? I liked the contrast of the images of aging with this fresh image: ” An ear he knew so well, shell-shaped and as pink as a wish.”
Counting my blessings and loving your sweet story, Pam. Happy Thanks-living!
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I think that’s the crux of life (and aging), Marian. That we count our blessings for the years, not bemoan the fact that there are so many behind us. ;-0 How I love your blessing of THANKS-LIVING. ❤
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Truly life in a flash. So many layers of anticipation, for the reader as well as the characters.
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OH, you’re right! Life in a flash in this piece of flash fiction. Thank you, Becky. xo
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This is a very creative and poignant love story. Well done Pam!
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Thanks Brad. Some think “love” only belongs to the young. Au contraire.
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I’d like to find out for myself. 🙂
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Can it be that ‘Time’ ever spills over into a ‘new life’ continuum?
Indeed, poignant and moving!
Lovely, dear Pam.
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I don’t know the answer to your question, Billy Ray, but wouldn’t it be sweet if the “time line” is really a “time circle” ? ;-0 xo
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I often wonder how it would be to be young again, and I always come to the same conclusion: I want my young body and my old brain.
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I’m of the same (old) mind, Anneli. Ah, if I only knew then what I know now. 🙂
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Yes (sigh), youth is wasted on the young.
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Beautiful, Pam. I think this is our wish sometimes to go back again even for a bit.
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I suppose it’s an age-old desire (no pun intended). Have you watched the movie PEGGY SUE JUST GOT MARRIED? Fun film on the time continuum concept of ‘going back to our youth.’
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I did a long time ago. Sounds like I may need to revisit it:)
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Sad and sweet all mixed together – lovely.
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Yes, Mary, I see this couple’s story that way too. How sweet that they still have each other, all these years, and sad that through aging, that togetherness is soon to end. But. They’re still rockin’, aren’t they? 🙂
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Beautifully written as usual!
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This story of once to now flew out of my hand, Donna, while tears fell down my face. xo
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Poignant and beautifully written love story, Pam…
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Thank you Bette for appreciating my young/old love story, and sharing it! xo
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Wow, this is a powerful, beautiful and tender story, Pam! I could relate!
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I’m afraid that those who are 50 and younger may not relate because, really, many think they’re not going to ever really get “old.” But , when the years behind are more than the years ahead, then we realize the strength and loss and deep emotion of long-time-love. ❤
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This is moving. Sort of fits in with Jill Weatherholt’s post today.
Happy Thanksgiving, Pam.
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Yes, Lori, Jill and I have decided we’re soul sisters in several ways. We posted similar sentiments unknowingly. But… the Universe moves us in mysterious ways. 🙂 xo
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Loved it, Pam.
I would go back . . . but I wouldn’t want to stay there. 😉
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I’m with you, Nancy. And I loved that the husband in this story didn’t want to stay back in the past either. ❤
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I didn’t realize what a wonder those words ‘let’s grow old together’ were until I got there. I wouldn’t change it for anything.
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Those old romantic ’50s and ’60s songs (even the Beatles) where the young and robust singer/s express how romantic it will be for a couple to grow old together…. turns out, they were right! ❤
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Oh my gosh, Pamela. If my husband walks into the kitchen right now, he will be puzzled and concerned to see tears streaming down my face. Yet, I will be thinking about him. I also see myself reflected in his eyes, as I once was “youth and beauty.” The “once” to “now” feels like a brief second in time. Poignant and timely. A beautiful post.💕
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Well, you had a good reason that this story touched you so much, Erica, considering that you’re celebrating an anniversary. To long time love and memories and most especially, to loving each other not despite of, but because of, our age. 🙂 Many thanks for sharing my story in your anniversary post. ❤
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You remind me something my husband told me a few years ago: I told him how I can see myself growing older. He responds with “isn’t that the whole idea? We are growing older together.” Thank you for sharing a beautiful part of you, Pamela🙂
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What a cool story, you fantasy writer, you. I love this, Pam, and it happens every day, doesn’t it? We look at our loved ones and don’t see the wrinkles, sags, and stoops. We see eternal beauty through the eyes of love.
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🙂 I know, Diana. When I finished the last line to this story I immediately thought, “Oh boy, Diana’s going to get a kick out of the fact that I went into fantasy again.” But I wonder. Perhaps this is absolute reality. We both know that time does not follow a straight line…. To eternal love.
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We must be reading each other’s minds, Pam. When I mentioned fantasy, my thoughts went directly into, “Of course, this is reality too.” The mystical is present in our lives every day. ❤
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YES! xo
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Very good! All of us who have “reached a certain age” can relate to this beautiful story!
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Thanks, Ann. And I’m hoping that readers of all ages, after reading this story, will stop and view elderly, well-wrinkled couples in a different light.
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Just lovely. 🙂
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❤
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Such a beautiful story! There are the sad notes, and yet the story plays upon the backdrop of a life well-lived. Love is always an adventure of the heart; the heart strings can surely tug at the soul. But, what would life be without love? There is music to this story, the music of time, the music of the seasons. Most of all, like the game of musical chairs we played when we were children, these story-people danced; how lovely to keep dancing until the music stops. The music of a lifetime is a wonderful thing to ponder while rocking in a porch rocker; yes, there is the creaking of old age, but, you remember the babies you rocked, and all the moments along the way. The sweetest notes of life can be found simply in remembrance; once again, we reclaim a golden hour, once again, we dance, as if we were forever young.
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Thanks for your lovely thoughtful comment. Yes, the “rock(ing) of ages” from rocking babies to rocking on the chair with a cherished one 80 years later…
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Such a beautiful story, Pam. It stirs emotions and pulls at the heart! So touching and lovely.
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Thank you, Debra. For some reason, when I saw the photo of the young couple in the crowd, I heard their love story of past to future, in the present….<3
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A touching story, Pam. Beautiful, yet sad. But, growing old with your other half and all smiles is all anyone can ask for!
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It’s a gift to be able to age with your other half, ’til the end (which may then just be the beginning…)
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Wow! I am reading this while celebrating my 79th birthday looking across the table at my wife of 56+ years and thinking to myself that’s us! Beautifully written. Thank you so much for sharing.
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You just gave me (joyful) chills. Love to you and your “bride” of 56+ years. ❤
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Wow! Powerful writing, Pam … poignant and mesmerising. They, as we, knew they had to return but yet longed to stay in the past of youth. In the midst of their final days in the place ‘that stored the elderly”, they retain a close and loving relationship … their love, care and knowledge of each other a strength that shines out!
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The story makes us wonder – would we go back to the past? And if so, would we return to the present?
I’m glad this couple did….<3
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This was like my dream/nightmare 10 days ago. Nick was so young and healthy. …. wow
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❤
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A moving story and beautifully executed. ❤
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Many thanks, Debby. To long time love….
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Amen! ❤
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Just beautiful, Pam…a little something in my eye here. xx
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Yes. I think of this story every time I pass by an elderly couple (in fact, maybe that’s how I got inspired to write it). Those that still hold hands are my favorite. To holding hands no matter the amount of years….
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Perhaps it is my age combined with your ability to transport readers immediately and so completely into a scene but I found myself swallowing a throat lump as the couple returned. What would it be like to go back to all those decades prior? What would we see and indeed would we be able to return? Fascinating tale Pam. I’ll be pondering it all day long.
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I’m so glad my story of Once and Now caused you to ponder, Sue. Did you come up with an answer? WOULD you return to the past if you could? Fun to wonder, but I have a feeling that even if you could, you would return to the present immediately. But who knows?? 🙂
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You do write such beautiful stories, Pam.
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Many thanks, Robbie. My stories come from deep within the heart…and soul. ❤
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Beautiful, moving, I’d definitely choose now over then.
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As tempting as it is to be young again, I choose now also Andrea. ❤
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Well done!
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Thank you, Mark!
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It’s definitely a bittersweet story. We all feel some of that “once” and “now” discrepancy.
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I think the older we get, the more we feel that discrepancy….
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Bravo! Lush with beautiful memories & future potential…
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Love never ends, so Once to Now and Once again is never-ending. ❤
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