A blip along the way.

Dying of Alzheimer’s wasn’t all that bad. For dear Jeanne. The path to death. Was only a small, incidental part of dear Jeanne’s wonderful life. Wouldn’t have made any difference.  If Jeanne had died of a heart attack or a stroke. We all end up dying. Of one thing or another. The important ingredient. Is that we lived. In Jeanne’s case.  For 81 years. Half of them. With us living together. In a rather blissful and loving state. We were true lovers. Separated. In the flesh. For only 10 days. When Jeanne made a trip. With her aunt. To Los Angeles.  Jeanne and I got a big dose of each other. I would have it no other way. In our courtin’ days, I pledged to see Jeanne for 1,000 days in a row. Yes. Yes. A romantic idealist. Capable of doing odd stuff. When I had the flu, left my bed. Knocked on Jeanne’s door. Just so I could keep the string alive. Turns out. It exceeded far more than 1,000 days.  I’m still with Jeanne. In spirit. That’s more than a consolation prize. It’s the meaningful stuff of life. Our life together. Alzheimer’s was merely a little blip along the way. No big deal. No reason to complain. After all, it’s only love that counts--Jim Broede.