The Spell Of Merlot

It was as if time stopped, rain drops frozen in mid air. The memory of this night would stay with me forever. The first date was out of this world. I picked Jennifer up early that Friday afternoon. The way the sun hit her eyes, had captured my soul. It was as if the sun Ray's besieged through the water finding the rarest of emeralds. With a smile I said to her let us get this adventure started. We tuned into our favorite jams on the radio driving through the mountains. Down the winding narrow road with a magical forest surrounding us on both sides. The fresh air the way her skin shined it was like it derived from the finest silk known to man. We pulled off just to the south of the road. We glanced our eyes up to the ice glazed mountain top it was as if it came straight from one of Picasso private portraits. We started our trek through the forest nothing but God’s country surrounding us. The subtleness of the birds chirping the wind swaying these giants of trees. As we made our approach to a rock perched over a cliff. Jennifer spotted the blanket and basket of wildflowers. I had my brother place there, just before we arrived. The most succulent strawberries, raspberries and blackberries picked just the day prior ly underneath the flowers. With a bottle of the of the finest Castello di Ama, “L'Apparita”. Imported from the Tuscany estate itself. Glazed bruschetta bread with a garlic Greek olive spread. Fried cherry tomatoes overtop the bruschetta with a pinch of rosemary and parmesan cheese as our appetizer. The older I get the more wrinkles I see. Time has always remained to be still. I remember Jennifer as if it were that day all over again. We later married after our amazing adventure we went on in the mountains of Montana. Hard to believe the images and thoughts the resurface out of the depths. It has been 50 years since our first trek through the enchanted forest of our youth. Each year I take the trip to remember the love I shared with her. The same rock perched over the cliff side I lay there reminded of the fond memories of my wife. Jennifer passed some years ago now. It is only I who sits surrounded by God’s country. Yet in so many ways I envision her long hair. The contour of her body the silky skin and those emerald, green eyes. All those years ago to think it was but one day that set us on a path intertwined for years to come. A whisper from my daughter Isabelle, Dad are you ready to go? As I slowly rise up overlooking the cliff side. Its always so hard to leave this place love. My heart and soul will always be here in this place this moment. It is but a shade of the sunlight we used to bask in. your mother and i. Forever will my heart be enthralled with the Spell Of Merlot. Years give us time and wisdom but the moments we share empower our lives. They shape us however big or small. This special rock perched over the cliff side in the mountain’s of Montana will bring soul food for years to come. Until next time my love as I gaze upon the sun setting over the mountain top. The cold brisk wind of her embrace as I go to turn away. Jennifer physically gone but always a part of me in spirit. 50 years to the day I will always come back here for as long as I breathe to bring back the memory of love.