The Key

My sixty-fifth birthday was all about reflection.  I had spent the previous week in Las Vegas with my husband.  We didn't even gamble and I only drank wine with my meals-except two margaritas I had down by the pool.

I woke up on the morning of and wanted to revisit something that was real and part of my past that had carried over to my future.  I dressed, jumped in my car and drove to the canal.  I remembered back in 1994 when Jim and I had walked the packed, dirt path.  It was all overgrown and not too many walkers or runners dared the solitary venue.  There was a friendly couple whose homestead had been grandfathered in by the state.  They lived in a small house down by the river and facing the canal path.  Since they had a land line-Jim and I decided it would be prudent to at least meet them.  They were a lovely couple-Key was their last name and I never knew their first.  We visited over the rock wall that separated their house from the pathway.

The years have come and gone, man has encroached on Nature and turned the canal into a real destination; with lights, landscaping and even a small museum.  The Keys disappeared first into a nursing home, and I heard she had Alzheimers and died.  Their house was torn down and I figured life just went on.  But on this birthday visit-I remembered a slice of the past that is only mine.

I thought about all my wonderful blessings-my husband, my children and dear, dear friends.  My life wasn't as exciting as I wanted it to be but it suited me and I was happy.

My husband  decided to build an outdoor kitchen for us in the backyard.   We already have a 40 foot pool and I initially just wanted a covered space so we could enjoy the backyard all year long.  He really outdid himself; we will have electricity and running water, plus a fireplace and TV.   I never envisioned this-I guess I never really thought about growing older with my husband.  I am so glad he thought about our future and values our life together.