What a shame

As the anniversary of my father's death approaches, I draw parallels to a story reported yesterday. Two weeks ago, Florence and Percy Arrowsmith celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary. They didn't marry particularly young, for the time... he being 25 and she 20. Yesterday, Percy decided to let go.

When my father became ill, he first thought he'd pull through and be around for his 85th birthday. Then, as things became more bleak, his only remaining goal was to make it to the day of his anniversary. He died less than two weeks later. At age 105, Percy must have sensed he didn't have that much time left. Still, for the love of his Florence, he hung on until his anniversary. I'm happy to report that at the time of his death, Florence was by his side.