Eternal Love
 

    He watched helpless as the door closed behind her. They had been married for 68 years. He could barely remember what life was like without her. He stood there staring at the door with tears rolling down his cheeks in disbelief. He had never been so frightened in his life. The thought of losing her was too overwhelming. His hands trembled and his knees became weak. He was so distraught that he was completely unaware that there was a nurse trying to motion him to move.

    She helped him to a room and sat him in a chair near a large window. He thought about the first time he saw Virginia. She was sitting on a bench reading a book. She was the most striking girl he had ever seen. He paused to admire her beauty, not realizing that he had been starring at her for quite some time. Virginia had noticed though and politely looked up from the book she had been reading. She said, “You must really not like this book? You seem amazed that anyone would be reading it.” He laughed and instantly fell in love. Virginia had a way of making people feel confident and secure within themselves. It was a gift.They talked for hours and when the day had become night, he knew she would be the keeper of his heart forever.

    They married in the fall of 1948. They bought a small wheat farm in Montana and raise five children. George and Virginia’s life together was filled with such pure joy and happiness that when hard times or tragedies would arise their love would withstand all heaviness, but could he endure such pain without her? He longed just to hear her voice again.

    Thoughts of Virginia and their life together moved quickly through his mind. Her silly laugh, the way he felt when he saw her across a crowded room; she was captivating! Just has he was remembering how perfect her hand fit into his, the doctor walked in.

    “I am very sorry Mr. Eubanks. We did all we could, but her kidneys failed and she didn’t make it.”

    It was like time was standing still. He felt his soul seep out his pores and emptiness overwhelmed him. Just fear and sadness remained. The doctor asked if there was anyone he could call? George and Virginia and watched three of their children die before them. Cancer had taken two of them and their oldest of diabetes. Their son Michael had been ill for some time and was unable to travel. He moved away over 30 years ago to raise a family of his own on the West Coast. "There is only Margaret, my youngest. The spitting image of her mother, but she is a far drive away," George replied. He felt utterly alone.

    They led him to a room where her body laid for him to say his last goodbyes. He slowly crawled into the bed and laiddown next to her. He placed his hand on her chest hoping he would watch it rise by her breath, but it was still. He leaned in and pressed his lips against her cheek then whispered in her ear…

    “You made me the man that I am. You brought a purpose to my life. I am eternally grateful for every single moment I had you in my life. Before you I merely existed. With you I was beyond blessed.  Without you I am just hollow."

    He closed his eyes and drifted off. He saw her there sitting on the park bench where they had first met. She looked up at him with her beautiful radiant smile and said, “I knew you would find me here.” George replied, “I couldn’t live without you.”

There is a gravestone on a grassy hill near a weeping cherry tree that reads…

George & Virginia Eubanks

Born – On a park bench    Died – In each other’s arms

No two people could have loved each other more profoundly

Their beautiful life journey will always be remembered

May infinite love eternally be yours