A man came to the Saturday Night Social.  He had a somewhat brusque manner of speaking and his voice was just a bit loud.  That being, as it may, the good folks invited him to join in the card playing and he was soon happy playing a keen hand of crib. As time went on we gradually learned a bit more about him. He had spent most of his working life as a Peace Keeper in the Armed Services.  Late in his career an injury led to his early retirement.  We also learned he was active in his Faith Community.  For exercise he pulled broom in his neighborhood.  For Victorians broom is a weed shrub and many of the good citizens get great satisfaction and a lot of exercise keeping this pest in check.

Some time later we welcomed a new comer to our Social Group.  She was one of those people that one notices.  She loves the game of bridge and was soon hard at it with the other devotees of this frustrating game.  We noticed our man friend also joined in the bridge games.  It was a slow process but our woman friend very gently took the edge off out man’s usual brusque manner of playing cards.  Then we noticed the gradual change in our friend’s appearance.  And then one Saturday Night they arrived holding hands.

The long time members of the Social know better than to make anyone feel uncomfortable in such a situation but it does not go unnoticed believe you me!  But thank goodness life does go on and our two friends were soon accepted as a couple. They joined our Walking Group Program and became known to an even larger circle of friends.

One Saturday morning, on my daily walk, I noticed our man standing close to his car looking a bit sheepish.  He had locked his keys in his car and was awaiting BCAA to open it.  I asked him where his lady friend was and was told she was off on their Walking Group’s walk and he would have to catch up.  We had some time to wait for the BCAA man so I mentioned how pleased Claire and I were to know that he and his friend were very happy these days. He took his time but it was obvious he wanted to talk about the relationship and he did.

“Yes we are and we feel supported by all of our new friends in the Social Group and the Walking Group. However I talked to my Pastor the other day and it got me to thinking.  I wonder if I am doing the right thing having this wonderful woman in my life in the full sense of the word and we haven’t got around to talking about marriage”.

So there we were two men on a walking path looking at each other until I got my wits together and realized I was expected to say something. So I said.

“Tell me do you love her”?      

He said, “I certainly do and I know my dear wife would have liked me to have a new love in my life”.

Then I asked, “Does she love you?

He didn’t lose a beat saying, “I know that she loves me and furthermore I knew before she told me”.

I looked my friend right in the eye and said, “ So!”

A long pause and then he shook hands with me and simply said, “Thanks”.

The BCAA man came, opened up the car, thanks were given, we shook hands again and off he went.

Some time later I had a chance to let our lady friend know how pleased we are for them.  She then told me her story.

She said, “He is a very kind and gentle person.  I know he loves me I feel safe and the best part is he loves to cook”!