An Old Man's Lament

An Old Man's Lament

As the sun rays peaked through the blinds on to his eyes, he blinked and slowly opened his eyes. By routine his left hand went to the other side of his bed, and felt nothing.  Sighs to himself, closes his eyes and they tear up. She had always liked this room because the sun rays came to this room first and she had felt so alive when they came to wake her in the morn, always jumping out of bed, opening the blinds, smiling  and saying out loud, "What a glorious day to be alive"  "Wake up sleepy head" were her next words. 51 yrs come and gone, together. Three since she left him.  He thinks to himself, it isn't supposed to be this way, the husband is usually the first to go. A sole tear flows gently down his whiskered, wrinkled cheek. How I miss you he thinks. How so very much.

He begins to rise off the bed, slowly and paying attention the  usual creak sounds of his muscles and joints making their usual morning greetings. He listens for any new ones, and luckily none this morn. Feet slide into his slippers and he rises to his feet. Slowly stretches and careful not to overdo it, loosens up the creaking sounds. His daily routine is about to begin.

Shuffling to the bathroom, he bends over the toilet and is about to lift the seat. Chuckles as he lowers it and sits upon the toilet. The last few years, more than he remembers, she had always insisted, "Please sit and don't stand over the toilet". Bitter sweet reminder of a couple of things. Impatiently as the trickles dwindle to droplets, he decides he will continue later.

Many memories come to mind as he continues his routine, and many bitter sweet ones again. A good life, full life he had led and it was only enhanced when he and she married and made a life for themselves. A full one indeed. He lathers up to shave and listens to the radio, as Frank sings "I Did It My Way". He had never thought he would have settled down and be so happy with one woman til he met her. He had loved many or more correctly, "made love to millions" and old brag line they had used with his chums. When he met her, all he thought is how he could love her a million ways, and he tried, and they were so happy together. As the song goes on, yes he was a "cad', not a user but lived his life his way. No regrets, except one, he regrets her passing before his. Sighs as he looks down. "We had a great time, eh boy?. There was a time like a young pup he was unable to control it and many times embarrassed by his behaviour, and many times apologetic for it. In the morning ready to jump and move and many times stand and watch him shave. Now his head is low and watches him tie his shoes. These things come with age and to be honest he misses those times, but he has his memories and smiles and is content. Finished with shaving and combing his hair and brushing his teeth, he looks in the mirror and he sees an aged man looking back. Where has the  time gone he thinks. Looking down, "Well boy?"

"Lets see if we can finish what we started when I sat down on the toilet earlier, eh?"