A Walk on the Beach

The setting sun streaked the sky with orange and purple, illuminating the blue gray of the ocean. The smell of the salt water and the cry of the gulls filled the air.

The elderly couple walked hand in hand down the white sand beach, the same way they had every week for the past 50 years.

"Do you remember that boat," said the woman as they passed the weather beaten old rowboat.

He smiled as his wife, stooped with age. "We used to take it up the coast." He looked at his gnarled hands and fingers stricken with arthritis. "But that was a long time ago."

She placed her hand on his shoulder and gently kissed his cheek. "I remember it as though it were yesterday." She looked out at the setting sun. "And I wouldn't trade those memories for anything."

He took her frail hand in his and squeezed it gently. A small tear slowly crept down his weathered face. "Neither would I."

She kissed his cheek again. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too."

They continued their walk on the beach as darkness settled over them and the air grew cooler. He placed his arm around his wife, and she snuggled close to him feeling the warmth of his body.

"We should get in," she said.

"Yep," he nodded, "it's almost time for dinner."