PUZZLES

They loved to work on puzzles…puzzles of every kind

anything they could do to help improve their minds.

He would sit beside her as they completed crosswords

(always the left side he would choose)

He would help her with the answers as she read out the clues.

They would sit day in…day out with him on her left flank….

and he loved to watch how with pen in hand she filled in all the blanks.

They loved their jigsaw puzzles.

They made sure each one read '500 pieces’ on the label

because any puzzle with more than that wouldn’t fit on their card table. 

As they neared completion of a puzzle…his participation would decrease…

always giving her the pleasure…of completing that last piece.

And even though they completed puzzles to help their minds stay strong

that doesn’t always mean in life…the mind will play along.

For we never know what Fate has in store…what Destiny may bring….

and one day he began to notice she was forgetting things…

It was sad when he began to notice…and sadder yet because he knew

there would come a day…when she would notice too.

“I’m afraid?”  she said one day in tears

What are we going to do?”

“Whatever happens.” he said taking her hand

I’ll be right here with you.

So life was the last puzzle they completed

and he constantly gave thanks

he was there to help find her missing pieces

to fill in all her blanks….

And he was there when their puzzle ended

there the day she died….

their hands fitting together like a puzzle

as he was seated by her side.