I had noticed Mr. Smith in his yard next door, pulling weeds and fertilizing grass. He leaned over the fence to be neighborly. His voice might have been powerful once but the years had tamed it to a near whisper. He said with a wistful smile, as his faded eyes teared up,
“Today is my wife's birthday and our anniversary.”
“How many years have you been married, Mr. Smith,” I asked.
“Sixty one,” he replied, as he lifted the bib of his Korea Veteran's hat and wiped the sweat from his wrinkled, coffee-colored brow.
“Some folks ask me how I keep going at my age and I tell 'em, hard work. Don't never give up and quit 'cause when you do you won't be able to start yourself up again.”
There was a deep infectious chuckle that escaped his throat when I told him he is an inspiration to me. Later he rang my door bell holding a little green plant in his gloved hand.
“Watch out for this. This here is poison oak and you got some in the corner of your yard. Spray some weed killer on it and don't try to pull it up. This here is bad stuff!”
I thanked him and he apologized for bothering me. I assured him he could never be a bother. I watched as he slowly headed across my front yard back to his.
I felt such appreciation for this gentle man who had risked his life to defend our country and freedom of our allies. No doubt the war had left scars on him. Physical perhaps and emotional for certain. Maybe we would discuss that another day over the back fence. Today the topics were birthdays, anniversaries, hard work, life, health and poison oak. Mr. Smith being a wise man, knew much about them all.
I enjoyed your story very much. What a wonderful man, so inspirational. How wonderful to have such a caring veteran neighbor. He surly deserves A Giant Tribute and many blessings
WHAT A BLESSING TO HAVE SUCH A CARING NEIGHBOR, THIS IS SO TOUCHING. ONLY GOD, WHO METES TO EACH, KNOWS...FROM WHENCE THE WILL TO 'NEVER QUIT' COMES. AMEN. THANK YOU, POETESS. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Such a tender poem of a man who went through the hardest of times and yet sought to warn you of that plant! What a treasure to know a respected Veteran!! This is beautiful.
Thanks for this poignant write. The very reason I sought out my aging relatives and neighbors. They have so much to offer us by way of historical experience and wisdom. It's good to know I neighbors well, and you sure do.
Your story reminded me that I need to see my uncle who I missed on my last trip north. He is a Korean War veteran who recently lost his wife. The last time when we missed him, he cried. I plan to try to get there this summer as well as see my mother, now 93.
Mr. Smith was right about never going back. I quit walking in 1994. And then quit driving in 1995. With great effort and lots of money, I started driving again in 1998. I know longer can walk, or even stand. I gave up driving for the second time last fall. The only direction left, is to go forward.
