The Universe Taketh away my HEART on Valentine's Day

Before we had left the house. I had plucked my Heart pin off the dresser and placed it on my coat lapel. It made me smile. A souvenir of days past. It was going to be a good day to take our minds off our health issues. And I prayed that’s exactly how the meal would play out. For Valentines Day we opted for a lovely seafood supper. We went on Sunday afternoon... because we figured it would be less crowded, than going on Monday. Figured The Super Bowl would keep most folks home on Sunday, and not out and about. Strategy worked. When we arrived, almost had the whole place to ourselves. A nice romantic setting. At Christmas, my hubby gave me a gift card. And we intended to cash it in, to buy our entrees. So the Valentine Day meal would effectively be FREE. A nice treat for sure. Everything was going well, but it was a bit too warm in the restaurant. (It was 18 degrees outside.) But in there I felt like I was on a tropical beach, wearing the wrong clothes. So I stood up and took off my winter coat. I was wearing a velour blazer underneath, where I had attached the Heart pin. As I straightened myself out, to sit back down…  I screeched in shock. My Heart pin was missing. Where was it??? I was devastated. It wasn’t expensive. But very sentimental. It had been in my life more than a few years. I searched for it around my chair and under the table. Nothing there. My husband told me to retrace my steps from our table, back to the lobby. As I meandered along the hallway I carefully looked for a glimpse of it. Nothing visible anywhere. My cane and I were weary from the long trek. So I plopped down on a bench and explained to the hostess in the lobby what had happened. She said she'd be on the lookout for it in the Lost & Found Box if someone turned it in. I thanked her. I was holding back my tears, determined not to let this loss, ruin my husband's and my celebration. Even though I didn’t have the keys to the van. As long as I was this close to it… I decided to make a quick walk outside, and peek in the window, plus scan the ground near it. From what I could see. The pin wasn’t there either. Just more disappointment. My husband knew how physically and emotionally draining… All this was on me. Walking is difficult at best, for both of us. But I had a litany of other health issues that were more worrisome. I found my happy where I could. And he knew how much I was hurting about the Heart pin. He looked at me, when I got back to the table. I forced a smile on my face, said I couldn’t find it. Then added, it wasn’t a BIG deal. And sat down to eat. The salmon, lobster, shrimp trio was unbelievably flavorful. Just the right seasonings. The food was delicious. We savored each bite. My hubby and I were Foodies. It warmed my heart and his to have such a fabulous banquet. I toasted with my TALL Blue Moon Beer. Holidays are usually only time I imbibe.

We had managed to put our worries away and find some joy. However, fleeting. Red Velvet cake for dessert awaited us at home. So back outside… to the van, we went. I climbed up and sat down… I lifted my cane into the vehicle… and slid it down between the console and my seat. It’s a tight fit. Took a moment or two to adjust. You have to get it just right. I noticed a dirty crumpled up napkin on the floor there… so I leaned over, much to my back's chagrin, and scooped it up, to throw away. When I did… I couldn’t believe my eyes. Underneath it, lying upside down was my Heart pin. It must have fallen off my coat… into this narrow crack. It was amazing I had discovered it... because the ornate part was on the front, and the back blended into the van carpet. My neuropathy laden, arthritic hands, trembled… as I reached back down and tenderly picked it up, turning it over to see the pretty roses. My eyes filled with tears… as I cradled it, holding it close to my chest, while ignoring the pain in my back. I NEVER really lost my HEART after all. Imagine that?

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

To ALL my blog buddies, family 

and other friends.

 

ENJOY!