From Cathy Russell
Recently, I was priviliged to attend the birthday celebration of one of our most senior members. Carl's 90th Rocking Birthday was one party I will never forget. Along with the standard birthday accessories, there was a karaoke singer crooning Elvis and Sinatra tunes in black tie, a granddaughter in a 1970s Elvis outfit complete with sequence jumpsuit and black wig, Carl's wife in a feather boa.
Carl is a veteran of the Canadian army's gruelling Italian campaign during WWII. I know Carl must have seen some things and done some things at that time that none of us, including him would ever choose. The amazing thing about Carl's eyes is- that no matter what ugliness they may have witnessed, they are the warmest, the sweetest and most expressive pair of beautiful browns I have ever seen. I can read so much in Carl's eyes, a warm greeting, serious attention, laughter, affection, even mischief!
At one point during Carl's birthday party, the karaoke man began a rendition of that beautiful standard "Unforgettable" made famous by Nat King Cole. Without giving it a lot of thought, I stood up and said to Carl- "Shall we dance?" Those wonderful brown eyes lit up as I took his hands in mine. And so we danced through the song, me standing, and Carl in his chair, gazing into each other's eyes, sharing something more than a song and a dance, something difficult to put into words, something deeply human and deeply holy. I sensed that we were connected at a deep level, and not just at the end of our finger tips.
The song ended, the moment passed, and after a brief visit with Carl's wife Audrey I took my leave. On the way home, I passed Bridge Street United Church, just as the bridal party of an afternoon wedding came out onto the front steps. As the bride and groom kissed each other, and their friends cheered and applauded, I reflected on the fact that Carl and Audrey have been married 64 years. May those newly weds be so richly blessed, and may they always see love in each other's eyes.
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