Monday, November 28, 2022

Old Slippers

 

Together since high school, you never saw one without the other.  They were comfortable.  Probably the best description for them, comfortable.  Today, however, they appeared worn, frayed at the edges and somewhat tattered.

With the majority of their lives behind them, he was a little bent over and prone to mutter.  She had become short of patience and her requests now sounded harsh, perhaps fueled by health issues that were never going to improve.

Everything in their home had a personal history and meant something to them.  Consequently, nothing was ever thrown away.  It was a cluttered existence, now encumbered with doctor visits, elaborate tests and disappointing outcomes.

She was slipping more and more each day and there was nothing to be done.  His voice had grown weak in his struggle to help his childhood sweetheart.  Friends and neighbors could only watch this sad progression.  Surely, they would have to sell the house, but what about their things?  Neither would be able to manage an estate sale, nor would they want to.  

No cavalry would be coming over the hill to save them, and the doctors couldn’t say what they knew to be true.  These were simply worn-out slippers sadly slipping away.









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