Grandma Henke

This experience was special to me because it happened on a day we’d received some disheartening news about one of our children’s health.   We had stopped to get a bite to eat on our way home from the hospital and as I watched this older couple I realized that love is what makes the difference, and we had loved each other and him enough to get us through the challenge.

Written April 1998

Today we squeezed in time to dine, at the buffet in town.

I filled my plate with salads and was happy to sit down.

I was feeling tired and pensive, reflecting the past days,

When a dear old little grandpa and his bride were in my gaze.

I knew that I was starring, and I knew that I should stop,

But there was something deep and touching about this old mom and pop.

His shoulders were stooped over, and his hair was snowy white,

His clothes were rather simple, and his footsteps were quite slight.

His face was very peaceful, in a thankful kind of way.

He was proud to have his sweetheart at this crowded big buffet.

I could tell she was his sweetheart, just like when she’d been his bride,

Because of how he looked at her as he knelt down by her side.

He had come in walking, tiny steps from here to there,

She had come in riding, for he wheeled her in a chair.

From the stillness of her body, and the slumping of her head,

I could tell she wasn’t moving, that he moved for her instead.

He pushed her to the table, and fussed about her so,

And gently took her hands in his, talking soft and low.

She fondly gazed into his eyes, and nodded ever slight,

And he was off to get her feast, in obvious delight.

Soon he was back with dinner, full of tastes of this and that,

And he tucked a bib around her chin, and gave her cheek a pat.

He held the spoon up to her lips, a smile lit up his face.

Just him and her, and no one else, in that noisy crowded place.

I couldn’t help but wonder just how long they’d been together,

How many joys they’d had to share, the trials they’d had to weather.

Her body sat still in the chair, a shawl around her wrapped,

She couldn’t do a thing but wait, her hands tucked in her lap.

A peaceful calm came to my heart as I witnessed their sweet love.

They had a piece of heaven still, and fit like hand in glove.

I’m sure they loved each other well upon their wedding day,

And ran through fields and danced in rain, and had so much to say.

They laughed and giggled in their youth, and traveled through the years,

And it was quite apparent they had also shared their tears.

And now they’re old, and here to eat, and I could only stare,

At the handsome groom, with his little bride beside him in her chair.

That kind of love’s a treasure, to be nurtured from the start.

Through loving, tender service to each other from the heart.

What a peaceful, cherished moment I was privileged to behold,

Of a love that’s still burns brightly in two bodies that are old.

@ Edna Henke, 435-229-3003, Ivins, Ut 84738-0007