promise

Her wrinkled fingers almost clasp
the small bouquet of flowers
two white ribbons trailing across her lap
hands trembling
eyes alight above a skewed smile

he stands tall
with hunched shoulders
his body frail
a boutonniere gaily affixed to his lapel
his visage solemn but amused

they forged sixty years together
after he came home alive and intact
still in his uniform
passion, patience, forbearance, humor, joy, sometimes grim determination
brought them to this day 

she looks up at him from her wheelchair
he returns her gaze
as the vows are read again
all these years later
and just shy of death

“I do,” she shakily whispers.
“I do,” he affirms.

###

Thank you to Eugie’s Causerie for this week’s “Renewal” prompt.