I Will Be Here

Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love, hold my hand, and have no fear
I will be here...

She looked beautiful. Usually, what draws me to those who are older than me, are their solid hearts of wisdom and experience in what it means just to learn and to love. She has that too, without a doubt. But today, she glowed with a radiance I had never seen before. Happiness danced like firelight in her eyes, joy painted an everlasting smile broad across her face, and I knew she was falling in love all over again.

I will be here, when you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen
And I will be here, when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here...

The black and stretched limousine arrived shortly, making its elegant entrance along the driveway as our glances followed it with eagerness. Jack, with his undying formality carried with him through the years, held the door open as Grandma and Grandpa climbed into the limousine, quickly followed by all eleven of their grandchildren to ride with them to the church. I cannot remember a ride ever so wonderful as that one, surrounded by my closest family, my cousins (most of which are boys, so one can only imagine the energy that occupied the car) who are rather brothers and sisters to me. I believe we brought out the forgotten youth in our grandparents that day.

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up and the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change, our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here...

The old country church was overflowing with family and friends, where long awaited reunions between loved ones jubilantly took place. A triumph in itself. But the vibrant voices were hushed when the entrance music began to play the old US Navy march, “Anchors Away” and Grandma and Grandpa entered. This music was played for a perfectly wonderful reason. Before my grandpa joined the Navy, he fell in love with my grandma. Being called away was difficult for both of the young lovers, but they continued to combine their worlds through writing letters. Grandma’s kept them in a box in her attic, promising to let me read them someday. It was over the phone one day that Grandpa proposed to her, for the wait to return home was just too long for his anxious heart to endure in asking for her hand.

I will be here, and you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older, I will hold you
And I will be here, to watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here...

The afternoon could not have been more perfect for them. They were entranced by the presence of familiar faces, spoken recollected memories, their wedding music, slide shows of past times, pictures, embraces, laughter, and dedications. Grandma’s wedding dress was displayed to the side of the room, where beside it an old video of her wedding preparation was projected against the white wall. Though the film was well aged, it was amazing to see what she and Grandpa looked like when they were that young. I could hardly recognize them. But as I stood and watched the soundless film glow on the wall, I marveled at the look on Grandma’s face- the look which she echoed that day, fifty years later. Such joy. Such certainty. No wonder Grandpa loved her so much And then, glancing from the video to where they sat together at a table, there was no lessened love. It had only increased with time, grown as they did. And their cheeks were dampened with the gloss of broken tears. Remembering.

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me...

The celebration of lasting love was finished with final embraces and congratulations, waving off devoted friends and family, as the sweet sounds of their wedding music adorned the background once again, “Oh Promise Me”, “I Love You Truly”, and I know they would have danced together if age had not robbed them of their energy so greatly. But the tired look in Grandpa’s eyes did not exceed the brilliance of their joy. He looked on his bride adoringly even then. Saw her silvery white hair curled on the top of her head. Saw her ever blue eyes. Saw her shaky hands and unsteady walk. Saw her heart, which had grown in wisdom that overflowed from her, and into the lives of the people around her. He loved her even more then. And when he gently kissed her wrinkled cheek, it made me hope for such love one day.

I will be here...