Hi there, come on in. Still raining, much harder and stronger than last night. Just got in myself. Hand me that, you know where to find it when you leave later on. Find a seat, relax and listen to the rain, it's much more pleasant when it's singing than when it's angry. I had a tough ride home, did you notice the street flooding? Had a scary moment or two, but am here now with you and all is well. I've had old folks and old love on my mind. I've been lucky to meet many couples over the years who share a love that has lasted almost a lifetime. Three were on my mind tonight. The first is a sweet gentleman I've known for years through my other world, I cried for and with him when he lost his dear wife over ten years ago. He's in his late eighties now, they met when he was nine and she was seven. Another boy was picking on her and the rest was history. She was about the best West Virginia mountains cook I've ever known. When she died, he and his two sons published a small cookbook of her recipies. I consider the gift of mine a treasure. He recently had a stroke and is wheelchair bound - but the shrimp gumbo he made with pride and delivered to me tonight was straight from her kitchen. The second is a couple also in their eighties and still happily together. They have been married for sixty-nine years. He remembers every moment, she no longer does. Yet his smile lights up the room when he speaks of his "bride", and the long rides they take every Wednesday afternoon without fail. It doesn't matter, the destination. It's her hand in his that means the world. Hugging him goodbye is always one of the hardest joys I have. The third is a younger couple just now nearing eighty. She has been his world, and he hers, for just over sixty years. He spent some time with me tonight, just chatting, as we have been friends long enough. He was making plans to return in May and again next October. He apologized for possible cancellations, but thought it only fair. His dear lady has been struck with cancer of almost every form over the years and is failing. Smiling, he assured me that the doctors are wrong - all those pills she's taking are working wonders, even if they make her quite ill. Of course, he's still working as much as he can since those miracle pills are rather expensive. Even with insurance. Sometimes we forget the blessings in this world. Don't we?