The Miracle of Love

She quickly opens her eyes, realizing it had been a dream. She looks out the window at the cold, unfeeling autumn day, seeing that the dream was a memory from her reality.She starts to remember back, to three years before. She remembered the cold, monotone voice , telling her to come to the hospital, your son and husband have been in an accident. She remembered screaming at the Lord why, why did my son die? He was so close to making a future for himself....so close. She remembered sobbing as she was told her husband would never be the same again; he'd have to be taken care of for the rest of his life. The thought that she could leave him crossed her mind, but she killed it almost as soon as it had passed. For three long years she had cared for her husband, fed him, clothed him, bathed him. She had kissed him, knowing she'd never again be kissed by him. She had talked with him, understanding they would not ever hold another conversation. She hugged him good-night, aware that she wouldn't be able to fall asleep in his arms. She told him I love you, through the sadness of never hearing those words from him again. She sang to him, read to him, and smiled in the rare moments when his confused face would smile. They would never be able to live the life they had so often dreamed of, never travel to the places they talked about. Somehow, though, she was content as long as she could always be by the side of the one she loved. She smiles at the sun straining to come through the clouds and gets out of bed. She walks to her husband, gives him a kiss, a good morning, and an I love you. After three years of painful silence he whispers the words back to her while one single tear of joy falls down her face.