An Evening to Remember

He was looking forward to tonight. He wanted to make it a memorable night for her. It felt like forever since he had seen her when it had only been a couple of hours. He had the whole night planned. He had gotten a haircut earlier that afternoon, bought a new tie, and some of her favourite flowers. He had ordered dinner and it was set to arrive promptly at 5 o'clock. He had chosen all of her favourite foods. The table was set with candles, ready to be lit once they got back. He was ready to leave when he remembered the wine! Quickly, he walked to the kitchen and set out a bottle of her favourite Merlot and two glasses. He opened the bottle to allow it to breathe. Looking around, everything was perfect. Picking up the flowers he turned towards the door. He was ready to go.

During the walk, he couldn't help reminiscing about their life together. All the years together, the children they'd raised, the joy and tears they had shared. Now it was time to make another memory; one that he would be able to hold close to his heart. When he got to the correct floor he was greeted with a smile; "Hi Mr. Stafford! Your wife is ready to go. You both look wonderful!" He smiled shyly and replied, "Thank you, Julie, for helping to make this happen." "It's my pleasure. If you need anything we are right over here. You just need to give us a ring." He nodded and turned toward his wife's room.

Her door was open and he could see her sitting in her wheelchair by the window. She looked so beautiful. The girls had brushed her hair and it shone in the light of the early evening. She had a lovely blue shawl covering her shoulders that perfectly matched the colour of her eyes. She looked at him with confusion as he walked into the room. "Hello," She said, "Do I know you?" He smiled gently and replied "Hello Betty, I am your husband, James. I've come to take you for dinner if that's alright. You look wonderful tonight." He offered her the flowers and watched as she brought them up to her face to smell the fragrant blooms. He waited for her to raise her head and smiled again when she nodded.

As they moved down the hall Betty grabbed the attention of a nurse. Smiling happily, she said "Oh my dear, look at this! This wonderful man has brought me flowers and is taking me out for dinner! Isn't that lovely?" "Yes Mrs. Stafford, that's wonderful. I hope that you have a terrific time." She replied with a twinkle in her eyes.

James went ahead and opened the door to the family lounge where all the preparations had been made. A PSW, dressed as a waiter, was lighting the candles and had their dinners ready to be set out once they sat down. "Good evening, Mr. Stafford, I hope that everything is to your liking. Once you are both settled in to eat, I will leave you alone. If you need anything I will be just down the hall." "Thank you."

James watched as the PSW wheeled his wife to the table and arranged a napkin over her lap. "Would you like some wine, Mrs. Stafford? Your doctor has said that you may have a glass tonight." "Oh yes please." She replied "This wonderful man is taking me out for dinner. He brought me such lovely flowers." "Yes ma'am, they’re beautiful. Let me put them into some water for you."

They sat together at the table, talking about their day, rather James told her about his day. She responded with a story about gardening in the afternoon sun and then taking a nap. It sounded like it would have been enjoyable and he was happy that his wife was having a good day. Those days were getting further and further apart as the dementia took more and more of her memory. He shook his head trying to dispel the melancholy that threatened to settle over him. Keeping it light they ate their meal and enjoyed the glass of wine.

"May I show you something, darling? I have a movie I'd like to watch with you." James asked, and Betty nodded. It was a home movie they had watched many times before. As it played James narrated for Betty. There were pictures of their wedding, of their children, the stupid dog that had dug up the pansies that she had loved. Pictures taken over decades, a chronicle of their life together. As he spoke his eyes shone with tears, full of love and memories. When the video ended, he knelt on the floor in front of her and took her hands, "Betty, today we have been married for 65 years, my love has only grown for you over that time. I am honoured to be your husband. The day that you chose me was the happiest day of my life. I have done my best tonight to recreate our very first date. I know this isn't the movie that we watched back then, but I like it better. I hope you liked it too." He looked at her as he held onto her hand. She looked back at him with confusion. "This has been such a lovely date James, but I'm tired and would like to go home to bed now."

"Of course, my dear," James said as he rose. He pushed the call button to alert the nurse and then took a flower out of the vase on the table. Breaking off the stem he slid it into her hair, tucking it behind her ear. When she smiled, he said, "You are my everything Betty, I love you."

He sat down on the couch while the nurse took his wife back to her room. Putting his head in his hands he wept silently for his wife and the memories they had that were lost to her. Someone came into the room quietly and when he looked up, he saw the nurse, Julie, looking at him with compassion. "It's a lovely thing that you do this on your anniversary and major holidays, but it's so extremely hard on you. Why do you continue to do it?" James just shrugged and replied "She might not remember me or the love that we share, but I remember her. And I can remember enough for both of us."