Arthur sat in the hospital room holding his wife’s hand while she slept. Edith’s health had been declining for some time in her older age, but it had really taken a turn for the worst a couple of months ago. Even in their eighties neither Arthur nor Edith had really slowed down. They were adventurous and still excited about life. They were out tending their fruitful garden when Arthur noticed Edith couldn’t breathe. The doctors had told them that she didn’t have much time left as her heart and body had been worn down over the years of constant excitement. Arthur sat by her bed in his favorite mustard yellow cardigan that Edith had bought him on one of their first adventures.

           Their first big adventure was their wedding day. He thought back to that beautiful memory he kept stored in his mind. He stood by the altar near the reverend and turned to look at the door when he heard the wedding march play. He remembered his heart race so fast he thought the whole room could hear it. He watched as Edith walked down the aisle. She was breath-taking with her her beautiful gown and hair just perfect. But Arthur remembers that the most beautiful aspect of her was her smile. She looked at him and smiled and he was calm. His heart skipped a beat then slowed. This woman was his destiny. They looked into each other’s eyes and promised they would be by each other’s sides until death did they part, and he knew he meant it.

           He turned to look at his sleeping wife in the bed beside him in the darkening hospital room. He smiled as his wrinkles formed a downward smile. She looked just as beautiful as she did on that day almost sixty years ago. He noticed her wrinkles on her face though they didn’t take away from her beauty. He hadn’t even noticed they were getting old. He gently tightened his grip around her freckled hand. Even her hands were beautiful to him because they belonged to an amazing woman. A woman who helped him through his hard days, a woman who raised their four precious children, a woman who was loving and kind.

           He looked up when he felt her stir. Slowly her eyes opened, and she gave a faint smile. Arthur felt like he wanted to marry her all over again in that moment.

“My Edith.” He said as he took his hand and stroked her grey curls. They just sat there in silence enjoying each other’s presence. They both knew her time was close. Her breathing had become more labored. Arthur tried not to reminisce; he would rather stay in the present with his wife for as long as he had left. The thought hurt. He had loved her for most of his life and she was leaving, but it wasn’t her fault; he knew that. He also knew he was going to miss her.

           His eyes started to fill with tears and his hand started to tremble. He turned to look at her when she placed her other hand on his trembling one. She saw his tears in his eyes and placed her hand on his cheek and gave a slight smile. He closed his eyes at the touch feeling a tear run down his cheek. How could he live without her comforting touch? He needed her, his Edith.

“We kept our promises. Till death do us part.” She said weakly with a wrinkled smile.

He smiled back with trembling lips he replied, “I don’t want us to part.”

She looked into his weeping eyes, and he saw peace and love. He knew she loved him just as much as he loved her. He leaned in and gently kissed her. They sat in silence as she closed her eyes. A few minutes later she was gone. Arthur sat there looking at his wife’s peaceful face.

“Goodbye, my Edith.” He whispered as he brought her lifeless hand up to his lips and kissed it as another tear fell down his cheek.