晩春の関ヶ原

　　Fleeting time. Yeah, do can it really be sixty two years ago that I first saw you? It is truly a lifetime. I know. But as I gaze into your eyes now, it seems like only yesterday that I first saw you

in that small cafe in hanover square. From the moment I saw you smile as you open the door for that young mother and her newborn baby. I knew I knew that I wanted to share the rest of my life with you. I

still think of how foolish I must have looked as I gazed at you that first time. I remember watching you intently as you took off your hat and loosely shook your short dark hair with your fingers.

　　I felt myself becoming immersed in your every detail as you placed your hat on the table and kept your hands around the hot cup of tea, gently blowing the steam away with your parted lips. From that

moment, everything seemed to make perfect sense to me. The people in the cafe and the busy street outside all disappeared into a hazy blur.All I could see was you all through my life I have relive that very

first day. Many many times. I have sat and thought about the first day and how for a few fleeting moments I am there feeling again what is like to know true love for the very first time. It pleases me that I

can still have those feelings now after all those years and I know will always have them to comfort me not even as I shook and trembled uncontrollably in the trenches. Did I forget your face. I would sit

huddled into the wet mud terrified as the hail of bullets and mortars crashed around around me. I will clutch my rifle tightly to my heart. I think again of that very first day we met I would crowd in fear

as the noise of war beat down around me. But as I thought of you and saw you smiling back at me, everything around me would become silent and I would be with you again for a few precious moments far from the

death and destruction. It would not be until I opened my eyes at once again that I would see and hear the carnage of the war around me. I cannot tell you how strong my love for you was back then whenever

turn to you on leave in september feeling battered, bruised and fragile. We held each other so tight. I thought we would burst.

　　I asked you to marry me the very same day and I woof twit joy when you look deep into my eyes and said yes to being my bride. I'm looking at our wedding photo now the winner in our dressing table next

to your jewelry box. Think of how young and innocent we were back then. I remember being on the church steps grinning like a cheshire cat when you said how dashing and handsome I looked in my uniform. The

photo is old and faded now, but when I look at it, I only see the bright, vibrant colors of our youth. I can still remember every detail of the pretty wedding dress your mother made for you with its fine

delicate lace and pretty pearls. If I concentrate hard enough, I can smell the sweetness of your wedding bouquet as you held it so proudly for everyone to see. I remember being so overjoyed when a year later

you gently held my hand to your waist and whispered in my ear that we were going to be a family. I know both our children love you dearly. They are outside the door. Now waiting. Do you remember how I

panicked like a mad man when jonathon was born? I can still picture you laughing and smiling at me now as I clumsily held him for the fare. First time in my arms. I watched as your laughter faded into tears

as I stared him and cried my own tears of joy. Sarah and tom arrived this morning with little tessie. Can you remember how we both hugged each other tightly when we saw our tiny granddaughter for the first

time. I can't believe she will be eight next month. I'm trying not to cry. My love as I tell you how beautiful she looks today in her pretty dress and red shiny shoes. She reminds me so much of you that

first day we met she has her hair cut short. Now just like yours was all those years ago when I met her at the door, her smile wrapped around me like a warm glove just like yours used to do. My darling, I

know you are tired, my dear and I must let you go, but I love you so much.

　　It hurts to do so as we grew old together, I would tease you that you had not changed since we first met. But it is true. My darling, I do not see the wrinkles in the gray that other people see. When

I look at you now I only see your sweet tender lips and youthful sparkling eyes as we sat had our first picnic next to the small stream and chased each other around that big old oak tree. I remember wishing

those first few days together would last forever. Do you remember how exciting and wonderful those days were? I must go now my darling, our children are waiting outside. They want to say goodbye to you. I

wiped the tears away from my eyes and bend my frail old legs down to the floor so that I can kneel beside you only close to you and take hold of your hand and kiss your tender lips for the very last time.

Sleep peacefully. My dear I am sad that you had to leave me, but please don't worry, i'm content knowing I will be with you soon. I am too old and too empty now to live much longer without you. I know it

won't be long before we meet again in that small cafe in hanover square.