A Final Sunset

The doctor delivered the death sentence, cool and with expertise. He must have said the same words over and over for generations. Just change the names and faces, but, the facts still stun and sadden. Claire had cancer. That most foul enemy to all people. It was no surprise, in a way, but, the words spoken--- without the warmth and feeling you would get from a loved one---- shook her to her core. And, James, her husband, steady, a rock, and a knight in shining armor, felt the blow also. Not as much as Claire, of course. She was losing her life. In a way, so was James. The doctor told her she had about six months, which really meant three. There was nothing more to be said. There were no miracle cures, no hope that she would bounce back. Chemo was of no use. She was going away soon...... The couple shed some tears in the office but managed to stay somewhat composed. The drive home was silent, as if the silence was a diversion. Claire, all 5"3 of her was shuddering a little but her eyes were dry. It wasn't until they got home and the dogs ran up to them that it all came out....... James and Claire had been married for 51 years. They were high school sweethearts. They never dated anybody else. The romantics they were, they always claimed that God had touched their love with a special potion and that potion made them one. It was very likely. Anyone who ever saw the two of them together came away with the feeling of two people united as one. They had the same sense of humor and the same loves in life. They loved children [ having 3 to prove the point] and animals. As the children grew up, there would be dogs running all over the house. Dogs claim a special place in any judge of character. There was also a tremendous attraction to the outdoors. Sunsets held the high card. Before the kids were born, when they were young, they would find their favorite tree outside of the house to lie under. Some people would bring spirits to enhance the experience but they did not need that. The natural beauty of the sky as God sent the sun off to sleep and brought out the magic of the moon was intoxicating enough. They would snuggle with each other, with James putting a protective arm around her. No one was going to penetrate that embrace. She was safe in his arms as she watched the sunset. Claire always felt warm and secure at those moments. Her head would naturally find a comfy spot on the shoulder. Before they had kids, this embrace and moment were the supreme summitt of their relationship. Young, warm, safe, and in touch with the great forces of nature. When the kids arrived one by one, of course, they joined that much loved embrace. A baby snuggled betweem them. With every arriving child, Claire and James would separate a little further from each other. That was okay, they gladly knew. In time, when all three of the kids were lying under that tree with them, all that was touching between the two of them were their fingers. And, a warm smile would pass at each other. That smile would be their silent rememberance of their twosome........ There was nothing really special about their marriage. They did what millions of people do who live ordinary lives. The kids grew up strong and good natured. The dogs slowly would die off, a traumatic time for the family. But, new dogs would take the fallen's place. As they aged in years, there would be the normal health issues associated with growing older. Blood pressure, cholesteral, etc. But, nothing major. Until that morning when Claire felt the bump under her arm. For a few days, she let it go. But, it continued to worry her and she finally went to her doctor. After a battery round of tests, the doctor delivered the thunderblow verdict of cancer........ Claire had just turned 71. James was a year older. His health, while not great, was of little thought of right now. Claire was dying and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. The doctor had told them that. With a heavy heart the children were summoned and heard the news. Tears flowed in waves. The children, not seeing the reality, determined she could be saved and she must fight the demon. However, reality soon came about and the little family had to accept the decision was final. There would be no intervention from above. God was calling Claire home. And, as the children swarmed her and cried their tears, James made the decision he had to. He was going with her........... James waited a few days before he told Claire. He wanted to check their finances and have all of their papers in order. And, he read his life insurance policy to see if it covered suicide. It did not, so, James made some moves to assure financial stability for the family. The house and all of their possessions were firmly in place to be delivered to their kids. It was then that James told Claire. He did not tell her verbally, but, rather in a letter he composed the night before.......... '' My Darling, Claire. You know I am not a articulate man. Never have been. You have teased me for years at being tongue-tied when I need to speak up!!! Well, I beg your indulgence this last time and let me express my thoughts to you in written form. From the moment I first saw you I loved you. I was only sixteen but I knew that my heart was beating for the first time. My eyes were filled with your fine, beautiful face and angelic behavior. From that moment on, there was no one else for me. And, you honored my soul and being by giving me your love back. I have never regretted for one single day our journey through life together. We have navigated all the trials and pitfalls that life gives us. Yes, sometimes, I thought we would go under. But, our love always showed us the way. It is a love written about in the finest of poems and the sweetest of songs. It is a love that transcends everything else in life. And, we have our children, the brightest extension of that love. Not a day goes by that I do not thank the Almighty for this love and the gift of you. I am a fortunate man. And, through this journey through our lives I have learned many things. The last thing, you can say, is that I do not want to go further in this life without you by my side. I want us to leave this life and start the next life together, our final journey. On one hand, you can say I have given up. Yes, I agree. On another, you can say that we have done all that we can here. Our beloved children are adults we can admire and be proud of. They have their own lives and can live them without us. There is a touch of sadness in me writing these words but also a relief. We aren't necessary for their survival anymore. They will be fine. And, I ask that we make the decision to take our next step together. Our minds are clear. It is time. We will miss so much. But, we have been given so much. And, we must let go. I cannot think of a better scenario than for me to greet God and all of God's magic wonders with you by my side, as I hold you close. Let us both begin this journey as we have begun other journeys: with love in our eyes and united as one..... Love, Your James''.......... Claire put down the letter and did not say anything at first. Because she was crying. He had been short in his letter [ so typical of him to get to the point!] and she didn't need more. She looked into his eyes, the eyes she had fallen into love with so many years ago. Those eyes always held kindness and understanding, never malice. And, then, she noticed, those beautiful eyes began to cry. Deep sobbing never seen by her before. He was crying from the very core of his soul. Claire knew he meant every word. He was willing to die with her. Slowly, she walked over to him. Her head bent gingerly towards his face and rested on his forehead. They spoke no words. And, then, she looked him directly into his eyes. Again, no words were spoken. But, a pact had been made with the silence. They would go on together......... The two questions that remained would be how it would end, and, most heartbreaking, how would they tell the children? The first part was decided easily. The second was delicate. They decided to say it straight out to the kids. No sugar coating and no retreat from their position. At first, they envisioned the kids not understanding. Then, when the children saw they were serious, disbelief would come. And, that was exactly what happened two days later when they announced their plans at a family gathering. James told them flat-out. ''We want to be together''. It was no reflection of any lack of love or devotion from Mom and Dad, just that they were tired and wanted to go to sleep. The girls cried, but, James Jr, always the most like his father in thinking, grasped the plan with some thought. James Jr. explained to his sisters that their parents needed this. It broke his heart, like it did theirs, but, there was a sweetness in Dad doing this for their Mom. They both seemed to be of sound mind and did not take what they planned lightly. After three hours, reluctantly, but, with the feeling that they would do anything for their parents, the kids gave in. They would not stand in the way of this final testament of eternal love........ The day it would happen was decided. It would be one week later. Claire was starting to feel pain again from her cancer, so, it had to happen soon. The night before, a Friday, the family gathered in the parents home one last time. There was everybody's favorite foods and plenty of drinks. Who cared about calories and hangovers!!! Tonight we live, for tomorrow we die. The family films came out, along with the favorite stories told throughout the years. No close friends had been told about what was going to happen, nor extended family. Just the kids knew [ they were all single]. Crying mixed with laughter filled the night. And, then, it was time to say goodbye. You can imagine the scene. There weren't farewell hugs, but, rather, bodies glued to each other. To let go would mean to say goodbye, and, as much as the event tomorrow was accepted, to let go would mean never again would they be together. Never again would there be birthdays and Christmas together. Never again would Mom make her special dishes and Dad to sing his songs. Never again. It was over. Finally, somehow, James and Claire convinced them to go. They would see them in their dreams........... The following morning James gassed up the car. Their departure method would be the old-fashioned, and painless, closing the garage door and starting the car. But, they planned on doing it in the evening, after viewing one last sunset together. They went out to the tree, the tree that held a small part of their lives. They sat on the ground and Claire found her spot nestled in the shoulder. James rested his head on top of hers. They didn't speak. The sunset spoke for them. Finally, after seeing this final burst of life, James and Claire went to the garage. The dogs sat in the backseat [ they weren't leaving this life without them]. The dogs had their toys and were kissed one last time. The garage door was then shut and the car started......... When they were found the next day by James Jr--- who had volunteered to serve in this capacity---- he noticed the dogs lying peacefully in the backseat. And, then he found his parents. Holding each other close, with Claire safely in James' arms. They had a peaceful look on their faces, as if they found supreme joy with each other in their final moments. The son began to cry. For his dead parents who were no more, of course. But, also, for the love that they had for each other, even to the very end. It made what had happened much easier to accept. He knew they were together somewhere. The dogs were running beside them. And, they were eternal........ That night, James Jr. and his sisters sat under their parents tree and watched the sunset. They smiled to themselves as they toasted the people who gave them a love of life and, now, a love of death. Funny, James Jr. thought, the sun setting has never seemed more beautiful........