Thursday, April 14, 2011

Simple Rendezvous

I probably shouldn’t have intruded on the moment. It was Sunday morning and a church parking lot after all. It was neither the time nor place for paparazzi. But there I was, sitting in the car trying to finish up my lesson, and there was the shiny red Kodak, loitering on the seat next to me.

You might have done it too.

I glanced up for a moment, and I could tell by his face that she was coming. It just seemed Providential that I capture the rendezvous.


 They meet there every week, the lady and the dark haired man. I’m just not always there to watch it. It would be simple enough to do since she’s such a creature of habit. At precisely the same time each week, she drives past the church, turns into the empty parking lot behind it, takes a w-i-d-e loop, and heads back to park her car in the outgoing direction.

And the dark haired man always waits.

Then he crosses the street and helps her out of the car.

And they stroll together, an odd couple if I’ve ever seen one. He carries the purse and the bible and bridges the height gap as best as he can to steady the arm. She carries the cane and chats as they go.

I used to think that he helped her because she was old, and I used to think that was the reason she let him. She’s turning 99 this week, after all. The unsinkable old lady was born the day the Titanic went down.

Not long ago, though, I realized that I was wrong.


You see,  I was sitting in my car another Sunday morning when she arrived to an empty sidewalk.  There wasn't a dark haired man in sight.

She glanced around and waited...
She whipped out a little compact for a touchup,
and waited some more.

When she finally started to get out of the car, I jumped out of mine and offered to help her.
The Duchess didn’t raise an oaf, you know...

To my surprise, she refused the offer. Oh, she was polite about it, but she straightened to her full height and assured me that she was perfectly fine.


But then she saw the dark haired man giant-stepping across the lawn.
And folks,
 in a move that would have made Scarlett proud,
that antique belle simultaneously wilted and glowed.
 Really, it was amazing.
I've got to learn how to do it.

And she called out,
“Why there’s ma fray~end.”

And she handed him the purse
 and the Bible,
 and she lifted her arm,
and off they stolled across the street.


And that’s when I finally understood.  It wasn’t help that she wanted at all; it was good old-fashioned chivalry.  You see, my offer just made her feel old. His offer makes her feel like a lady.  

And that's my story for this week. In case you haven't figured it out by now, Sir Lotsa Hair is the Man of the House. Capturing his weekly rendezvous is this week's simple pleasure.

*****
Sharing with ma fray~end Dayle at
Join us for more simple pleasures.

73 comments:

Anita Diaz said...

Oh Debbie, that is just beautiful:-) You always make me smile!

Evelyn S. said...

This is the most wonderful account!!! Totally delightful!

Barbara F. said...

I could have continued reading this post for another hour or two - beautiful! xo,

elizabeth said...

Oh, words fail me...LOVE this post!

Anonymous said...

Debbie, Just read this and my chest is just pounding with emotion. What wonderful pictures and words. She is a wonderful lady and my son-in-law is probably the nicest thing that happens to her every week. I am still weeping over this post. The Duchess.

larkswing said...

My, My, My! I do declare, this has to be the best post I have read today! Sweeter than the sweetest Georgia Tea . . . Thank you for making our day with this post!

Hilary said...

Fiddle dee dee.. I'm so glad my bloggie fray-end Lailani pointed me in this direction. What a wonderful post.

Lynn said...

Just beautiful my fray-end:@)

Jennie said...

I can't tell you how many people in that little town have a heart of gold - but you and your family? Your hearts are worth far more than gold. You have hearts like His. Love you all!

Anonymous said...

I love that story and the two stars of the story should be in the movies :-)

Denise said...

Wow! I remember you telling the story when you captured the scene and I got teary. But when you describe this rendezvous with your wonderful words, I downright cried. Absolutely beautiful story, couple and writing. A simple pleasure indeed.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Okay you have the side of me I don't bring out enough (that humor side)...now you have me crying. My mother-in-law will be 96!!, so this so reminds me of her. We leave this week to spend Easter and celebrate her son, and granddaughter's birthdays with her, which we haven't done in years. I am now really blessed by this.

Oh what a wonderful man to know how to treat and respect a woman, may God bless him and may God continue to bless her life as she continues on this earth.

You are an awesome story teller, thanks for allowing me to visit.

At The Picket Fence said...

Oh Debbie! That was pretty much the most lovely thing I have read in a long time! I felt like I was watching a movie. In this day and age, those moments should absolutely be photographed and blogged about. Chivalry is alive and well for sure! :-)
Vanessa

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Debbie, this is just precious. I am sitting here with the biggest smile plastered on my face. Thank you for sharing with us. It truly made my day, and girl, I'm going to have to remember this in case I make it to 99!

Sir Lotsa Hair is a knight, indeed!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Chatty Crone said...

You're right - she didn't want help - she wanted him - that was so lovely. I wonder how they started.

Susan said...

Debbie, you captured the story perfectly and brought me to tears of unabashed happiness. I have always said "coincidence is Gods' way of remaining anonymous". He wanted you to capture this story and I'm so glad you did. Sweet, sweet, sweet! A lovely story!
Susan

Ann said...

This is the most emotional of all your simple pleasures. I love it and thank you for sharing, Debbie.

You've got quite a man around YOUR house. ; )

Cheers!

Sue said...

Really lovely ~ and you are blessed.
Sue

southerninspiration said...

What a precious story.....got tears in MY eyes, now. I love the way you told it and had pics to prove it!! ;)

Suzanne

no spring chicken said...

This is absolutely pray~uh~cious! Oh you are wicked, taking pictures of such a private liaison.

Blessings, Debbie

Christine said...

Loved every word and loved that you had your red Kodak to help tell your wonderful "story".
Bravo for CHIVALRY!!!

Unknown said...

Well, this post is just a doozy!! First of all, I LOVE reading "southern style". Why, one of mah fay-vor-rite books was Ya Ya sistah-hood.
Second, to be 99 and still swoon is the best.
Third, I love that you pulled out the shiny red kodak to capture it all. An unsung hero being caught on film. sigh.
Fourth, you are amazing at telling a story....
fifth, well, just happy to have stopped by!
xo
lynn
p.s. my favorite comment was from your mom.

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
You have such a wonderful way of sharing! What a beautiful story, what a lovely man you are married to, mah fray-end!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

This is just about the sweetest thing I ever read, fray-end, Debbie dear. :) But let me get this straight ... Sir Lotsa Hair is your man around the house? No matter ... he's a knight in shining armor in my book.

Best post I've read in ... well ... maybe ever. :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Debby, Debby, Debby~ You never disappoint me. Every time I read something you write, I think that you won't be able to top that, but then you do! And now your Rhett Butler has topped anything I've read about a man. I loved this story, and as always, I love the way you told it. I wish I had the talent to tell a story the way you do, and I wish I had the talent to spot a simple but beautiful jesture and turn it into a wonderful story and a wonderful lesson. You had me crying. laurie

Cindy said...

Debbie this was awesome. I loved the story and you have such great storytelling skills, (something I really lack in) but anyway I just wanted to let you know that this was wonderful.

Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.

Hugs,
Cindy

Miss Char said...

Y'all made my day. Thank you so much for such an uplifting moment.

Renée said...

You are one of my favorite fray~end and once again you touched my heart. I'll cook, you write!

Hugs from Idaho.

Joan Hall said...

Debbie - your posts always make me smile. This one was so good I had to go back and read it again. I love this, "And folks, in a move that would have made Scarlett proud,
that antique belle simultaneously wilted and glowed." A true Southern Lady.

And happy birthday to The Duchess!

Heart n Soul said...

Thanks for popping by my post...so nice to meet you....what a lovely post.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Awww Debbie..I love this...just love it. ☺☺

Babs said...

Awww, that is so sweet. And chivalry is NOT dead as long as your man of the house is around.
Thanks for making my day.
Hugs,
~ Babs

Anonymous said...

I do declare...I have just about swooned by the reading of this here post! :)

It really is amazing Debbie, to see this kind of attention and compassion in today's world.

I am glad that she waited, because she knew he would come.

Mrs. M.

Southern Gal said...

What a precious, precious capture. So sweet. She knows what she wants.

Sue said...

This is one of the sweetest stories I have heard lately, and I am glad you had the camera, what a lesson for us all. As always such a joy to visit.
Hugs,
Sue

Sharlotte said...

What a precious story! I love this!!!

Kelli said...

I just love coming here for my daily Debbie delight! THIS made my day.

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
I laughed, I cried and I just loved your delightful story and pictures. You and your man around the house are very special people and am so glad to have made your acquaintance mah Dear*

~Jean
(*a very poor imitation of Scarlet)LOL

Denise said...

Debbie,

I just LOVE this story! This may be my favorite post yet, and the pictures make it so perfect. Your family must all be such nice people, and your husband's definitely a keeper. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the nice comments you left on my blog!

Denise @ Forest Manor

aspiritofsimplicity said...

oh how beautiful. It makes one realize that just as there are fewer men like that, there are also fewer ladies.

xinex said...

What a beautiful story, Debbie! It's giving me goosebumps. Thanks for sharing...Christine

The Charm of Home said...

Debbie,
That is amazing! It is so funny and so easy to comprehend the way you told it. Southern and gracious through and through. That is funny you mentioned the girl's memory boxes, we have them for each boy and now that some are teens they even add stuff to them.LOL Very sweet!
Sherry

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Debbie, This is the best story--I have read it through a few times now! Can you imagine this wonderful lady in her prime? Or maybe she still is in her prime! I haven't had any handsome young men offer to escort me lately! Wow! I can just see her lighting up. Isn't it so nice for your hubby to know he can put the sparkle in someone's eyes like that? Does she know you are the other woman? Linda

Angel said...

Wow Debbie. What can I say? You and your posts are one of a kind - so lovely. Blessings!

Crickit said...

What a wonderful expression of chilvary! What a sweet man your hubby is! Loved this one! :)

Sylvia said...

What an wonderful , charming , lovely story ...so perfectly told ...Thank you very very much for your unforgettable comment on my post .I am honored to have created 'a moment ' for you !This is something very special to me .It was a connection beyond our knowing !
Be happy !

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What some girls won't do to have Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome on their arm!!! The well seasoned gal has herself some arm candy! Heehehehe!

I think it's a just too darn stinkin' cute! This was a very heartwarmin' well written story. It's nice to know that chivalry is not dead after all.

God bless and have yourself a fantastic weekend!!! :o)

Sharon said...

On way too many levels I'm just overcome with emotion - what a wonderful man that husband is. Just too precious...

And the comment from The Duchess was probably what just put me over the top...

Can you maybe sometime share the backstory on this? I'll bet it's a sweet one.

My simple pleasure was knowing that chivalry still exists - and that a knight in shining armor can still come to the rescue of a 99-year old princess.

GOD BLESS!

Shug said...

You really captured my attention. I think this is absolutely the sweetest thing...I can just hear her now. Sure hope when I get to be 99 that I have someone to help me!!

shug

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
The comment you left on my Book Blurb was so sweet and coming from a writer like yourself is
a great compliment. Thank you.

~Jean

Trish said...

Lady Debbie, your Sir Lotsa Hair is a true gentleman!
This was beautiful and so touching to read.
My 94 yr old mother is a tad more independant than your sweet Southern Belle, but still very much a lady too :-)
It's nice to know that there are still chivalrous men around to help out a lady in need(ish) ;-)
bless you..Trish

Linda W said...

What a sweet simple pleasure; thank you for sharing. Of course, the Duchess didn't raise an oaf, we all knew that. And, the Hubby's mom...she raised a true gentleman!

Tanna said...

I LOVE this story!!! blessings~tanna

The Polka Dot Closet said...

What a fabulous post...I hope when I am 99 there will be a Fray-end to grab my bible and my arm!

Carol

Kathleen said...

That was wonderful! God bless her, and him!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Just popping by for a visit this AM and I am so glad not to have missed this. This was such a beautiful glimpse into lifes simple moments. I just love it!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh my goodness this was such an awesome post!! It really Blessed me as I read it. I really am glad I found your blog!

corners of my life said...

What a sweet story. Thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

A Hallmark story!

Amy Kinser said...

Another story for the book I will be reading a few years from now....

"Thank you Lord for the words and stories that Debbie shares"

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Debbie, what a beautiful story ... and friendship! And what a treat that you were able to peek inside and capture (and post about!) those cherished moments. It always warms my heart when I see chivalry in action. Congratulations on being married to such a wonderful man. I, too, am blessed like that. I don't understand why they seem to be becoming such a rare breed ...

FrouFrouBritches said...

That is the sweetest thing I ever heard! Your Man of the House reminds me an awful lot of my Hubby and my daddy.

Debbie, I've been doing some thinking and I'm pretty sure you should write a book. I would be the first in line to buy it. You have such a way with words!

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Oh Debbie, ________________________________yea, speechless! Love, D.

Karen said...

What a beautiful story! I loved it! The best part about it is that it's a TRUE STORY :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Well, it didn't do much good to turn off the comments, cause people like me are just to stubborn to let that go without a comment. What a perfect match you and your husband are! Just like you do in your life, he turned this into HIS pleasure! I love both of y'all! laurie

Anonymous said...

I forgot to mention a real sweet story when I posted earlier. One Sunday, I had dropped the Practical One off at the other side of the church for ensemble practice and when I came around the corner, Sir Lots of Hair was wiping off the railings with paper towels. When I questioned him at lunch that day, he told me it had rained during the night and he did not want them to get their hands wet as they were coming in. How thoughtful... The Duchess

Kathleen said...

Such a sweet heartwarming tale. Your words paint the picture so well and the pictures are just the icing on the cake!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I can NOT let this and the follow up blog go by without putting in my 2 cents!

Why don't you just quit your day job and write!

These were amazingly beautiful Debbie, both writings. I'm telling you... there are some gifted women on these blogs and you are one of the best!

LOVE LOVE LOVED this!

xo

Brandi said...

Hi Debbie I'm new to your blog. I am so happy I found you this morning. What a beautiful story. I enjoyed every line. You have a way with words. You are such a great story-teller! Thank you for sharing.

Bossy Betty said...

Just wonderful!!!

Congrats on your POTW! Well-deserved!

Out on the prairie said...

What a warm story. I like the way you held on to the plot.

Sarah said...

Beautiful story. This could be a wonderful short story. ;-)
Love my visits to Words on Wheels. ~ Sarah

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Debbie,
This was such a precious story, and so neat your hubby does that! what a great guy, great is his reward in heaven! She obviously adores him, and
he probably makes her week!
Loved how you described her wilting and glowing,
so cute........
I have so enjoyed all these past posts I have
missed. I have even read some to my hubby and he got a kick out of them too.
You have a real gift for writing.....your writing is funny, descriptive and delightful!!
Take care,
Blessings Nellie

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