Love On The Veranda 💕…Story #2

This is the second story that I previously wrote about love. Appropriate to repost now as we approach Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!

“Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.” Shakespeare

With the kids safely aboard, the crossing arm retracted and the flashing red lights turned off, the school bus pulled away from the curb, leaving the young parents in a wake of noisy fumes. A quick wave, one that likely wouldn’t be seen as youngsters are in their own element once aboard, signaled the end of one phase of their day and the start of the next, the work day.

They turned and walked hand-in-hand up the inclined drive, stopping for a moment on the veranda before heading off separately, he to his car and she inside the house for some final to-do’s before going to work, herself, I imagine. 

At that moment before separating, in a somewhat theatrical move that belied its spontaneity, they embraced. Their arms wrapped around each other, her back arched under his guidance, and he bent to kiss her. Her leg lifted slightly, reminiscent of the iconic photo of a sailor and nurse in Times Square at the end of WWII. It was a brief but beautiful interlude of love, love on the veranda

(Wikipedia)

I’m not a snoop, nor nosy. I tend to my own business. However, I do enjoy the art of ‘observing’ people, an engaging pastime for anyone, especially for a retiree relaxing with a morning cup of coffee while peering out a picture window at the comings and goings of neighbors and street traffic. 

Observing, not snooping!

And, there was no doubt that what I observed was love. The look, his strong yet gentle embrace, her arched back, the raised leg and the kiss. There was no effort to be discreet. And why should there be, it was love, pure and innocent love. 

Witnessing moments of love is very satisfying, you must agree. It’s refreshing to see feelings shared between two people, lovers. They have found the formula that binds their hearts forever. 

Young people are more apt to display affection openly, with touching and kissing. Older folks seem to do it more with their eyes, a loving glance, a simple touch , discreet moves that the other party understands. As they aged, themselves, my folks displayed love with hugs, kind words, a certain attentiveness.

If you’re an observer, too, be on the lookout for uplifting moments of love. Have one yourself with your lover. The human spirit needs it, love, that is. 

I wonder if ‘my’ couple knows they were seen? Shall I tell them? Would it matter?

Steve B, 

To lovers everywhere…

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srbottch

Retired in 2013 after 5 years as an elementary school teacher and 40 years as a sales representative to begin anew as a school crossing guard. SMy essays/stories are a way to communicate through the telling of personal experiences. One reader said about my blog stories, "...these are like a cold sip during a marathon run, simple, real life events". Another offered about my blog, “it brings some sense of normalcy not easily found in the modern world.”

27 thoughts on “Love On The Veranda 💕…Story #2”

    1. Y’know, that may be why they moved after I posted the story in our neighborhood fish wrapper. And, it’s ’observing’, not the synonym ‘snooping’. Anyway, thanks for your sage advice.

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      2. You have a great laugh.

        By the way, are you following this ‘kidnap’ story of the Guthrie mother. Very sad and strange. Almost sounds like something a mystery writer could have crested.

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    1. Liz, I got very lazy with my writing, didn’t I? I’ve missed it. Jennie encouraged me to repost some earlier stories so I decided to release four love stories for Valentine’s Day. You just comment kindly on the second and there are two more scheduled for the next two evenings. I’m thrilled you found them and thank you very much. (Steve)

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    1. I’m just returning the favor for all you do to amaze me, Robbie. I so do appreciate your comments. They warm my heart. And with the winter we’re having, anything that warms my heart, hands, toes and head is greatly appreciated. How about I send you a little winter? When I get home from the gym, I’ll do that, if I remember. My brain might Best regards, too cold. Does walking the dog at 6 AM and -4F sound cold?🥴

      Take care, Robbie, and watch for 2 more love stories leading up to Valentine Day.

      Steve

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      1. Hi Steve, the USA has been experiencing very cold weather. Much colder than I can imagine. I don’t like cold weather. Our autumn is coming early it seems 🥶. Our seasons seem to have shifted a month earlier all around. I look forward to the pictures and the next story 🤗

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    1. Thank you, Derrick. Two more ‘love’ stories to come for V Day.

      As for the Parkinson’s, it’s a progressive disease and I can tell that it is. I can tell there are changes from a year, even 6 months ago. My left leg trembles more, my walking gait is a little less stable, balance is off a bit and my cognitive skills have declined a bit. That last one seems to affect my thinking skills because I can’t seem to muster the necessary means to write as nice did. Hopefully, I’m wrong and it’s just a case of laziness.

      I exercise regularly at home and the Y , including vigorous water walking, some strength building class, boxing which I enjoy and fast walking. I just finished 5 ‘rounds’ on the elliptical machine, 25 minutes. All the docs say that exercise is the best therapy to help build lost dopamine. And I take some pills.

      Hopefully, everything I’m doing will help slow the progression. As I told my neurologist, when it gets bad, I’ll just shovel more snow and drop dead in the driveway😂.

      Getting older is a bitch, isn’t it. I enjoy your photos of your countryside and find them very relaxing, therapeutic.

      Thank you for asking, Derrick. You take care and keep those lovely photos, stories and dinner descriptions coming.

      Steve

      Ps. It’s snowing again, today, just a few inches this morning.

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    1. Thanks, Darlene. That sounds like a great memory of your parents. Mine were together 50 years and they were more subtle but you could tell when they showed their love.

      Tonight’s story has a funny tone by to it but it’s still about love. Catch it later.

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    1. And they looked that I posted it in our neighborhood Facebook page.

      Thanks for encouraging me to post old stories. I’ve done three ‘love’ stories for Valentine’s Day with one to go and it’s been fun reading people’s reactions. You’ve had a nice response to the story you posted, as well. That was very special for me. I appreciate it.

      Check out my latest story and have a chuckle. Goodnight, Jennie.

      Steve

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      1. Thanks, Steve. I really, really hope you post your old crossing guard posts. Yes, the response was nice, and I think readers would love more. It was special for me to post this again, Steve. I’ll be checking out your latest story!

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      2. Jennie, it was special for me to see it, again (I’d forgotten about it and couldn’t believe that I’d written that). I’ll see what I can do to post a few of those I’ll come up with some theme for them. Maybe, ‘Back By Popular Demand’, or, at least one demand.

        Have a Happy Valentine’s Day and look for my 5th ‘love story’ tomorrow morning. Goodnight, Jennie.

        Steve

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