Shared Memories

Away from city life, in the area where animals and people can both enjoy the beauty of nature without fear of harm from each other, there lies Timothy Park, the most beautiful park you will ever see. Off in the distance you can see the full glory of the Rocky Mountains. Lake Andre glistens as the sun shines on it during the day and the moon and stars at night. A hiker’s trail encircles the wooded area where deer are often spotted. They will come out and eat right out of the hands of people walking pass. They don’t come all the way out. Not all the time. But it is a joy for them to stick their heads out and interact with humans. That is where Jonathan and Jill Sanders sit on the same park bench where they met over 70 years ago. As they stare into each other’s eyes, they just smile as the memories of all of those years flood back into their minds. They rest their head on each other’s shoulders and take in the beautiful scenery.

A child runs by, laughing as it plays with a dog. More children come and join him. Jonathan slowly lifts his head and smiles as he watches the children play. He remembers their own children playing in the same park and the same spot. Calvin and Carlos, the twins, were ten at the time. Janet was 8. Charles, the dog, had a red bow tied around his neck. When the children weren’t chasing after him, he would run to them until they continued the chase. They would play all day. The children would throw sticks, balls, anything they could get ahold of, and Charles would happily go get it and return it to them. They were full of energy. Full of joy. He remembered getting off the bench and playing right alone with them. He had some energy. They were all so happy back then. The very thought of this made him smile with joy. He looks at his beautiful wife, without saying a single word, she looks up and smiles back at him.

The children run off with the dog following after them. The couple continues to watch with their heads on each other’s shoulders. Jill lifts her head as a squirrel runs down from a tree. A few moments later, and a second, then a third comes down. They begin to run around and play, bouncing around and knocking each other over. Jill smiles. She remembers their own children playing not too far from that very spot. Carlos was watching the squirrels play. They appeared to be wrestling and he thought it was funny. He began to act as if he was a sports announcer, narrating blow for blow. His brother and sister laughed. The laughter increased as the squirrels stopped playing and started watching the children. As the kids moved on to other things, the squirrels followed them. Every time they would turn around and look at the squirrels, they would run up a tree and hide. When the children started playing again, they would come down from the tree to watch the children play. It was amazing. They seemed more entertained by the children than the children were by them. Children can be a joy to have around. She looks at her handsome husband, smiles, and without saying a single word, he smiles back at her.

Before the sun begins to drop low in the sky, a young man and lady come walking the trail. As they pass by, a deer comes out from the trees. It is eating the grass at the edge of the trail. It does not run away when the young couple walks by. It just lifts its head as if to acknowledge that the couple was there. They stop and the man pulls an apple out of a bag. He gives it to the young lady who in turn gives it to the deer. The deer takes it from her hand and walks back into the trees. The elderly couple could see the deer give it to her children. They could remember the time when they were still dating, and they walked that same trail, and he pulled an apple out his bag and gave it to her. Back then, the deer took the apple and ate it while they still stood there. It even seemed to ask for more. They spent a lot of time feeding deer at that very park. They’ve done it many times over the years. They watched their children grow and feed the deer on that very trail. Now the deer was more concerned about its children. As they sit, they don’t say a single word. They just look at each other and smile.

As the sun begins to set, a beautiful array of reds, oranges, and yellows reflects off the lake. Ripples form, caused by fish trying to eat the bugs that fly too close or even land on the surface of the water. All of this coupled with the beauty of the sun setting behind the mountains do not have an equal. On another park bench on the other side of the trail, Jill observes the same couple in a warm embrace. They pulled out a pack of crackers and used it to feed the geese that were in the area. They crumble the crackers and throw them on the ground. They enjoy watching the birds fly down to eat. After they eat all the crackers, just like the deer of long ago, they beg for more. Some things never change. As Jonathan watches all of this pan out, he is reminded that the same thing happened to them when they were much younger. He is also reminded of what happened next.

He sits straight up, and Jill sits up also. He taps her on the shoulder and ever so slightly points to the couple across the trail. She smiles although nothing has happened yet. The young man drops his wallet on the ground. He stands up and bends down to pick it up. The elderly couple looks at each other with the biggest smile. The young man pulls out a small package, opens it, and show it to the young lady. Without a word spoken, she jumps up and hugs the young man. She holds out her hand as he slips the ring on her finger. The two walk off. Her hand extended as she admires the shiny stone on her hand. The elderly couple look at each other as they remember doing the same thing 70 years ago on this very day. They remember watching their children grow up doing the same things they’ve done over the years. They remember seeing their grandchildren follow in their footsteps. And now their great-granddaughter starts the process over again. Without saying anything, they stand up. She rests her head on his shoulder. They both walk away in the light of the full moon.