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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Family
- Published: 10/28/2022
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John Fontaine looked back at himself in the mirror. How many times had he shaved? A thousand, two thousand? Every day since he was 16. The day he graduated high school, then college. How carefully he shaved on his wedding day. He was so nervous he cut his lip. He grinned. Kissing his bride hurt all the way down to his toes.
His wife appeared behind him.
“What are you looking at?” She said, smiling.
“Wrinkles wrinkles and gray hair.” He said.
“Don’t forget the little bald spot right on top of your head.” Kissing her finger, she touched his thinning hair.
“He turned from the mirror and their eyes met. “How did we get so old?” He said, taking her in his arms.
“We’ve had a wonderful life.” She said. “I love you.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you too. Remember our wedding day?”
“How could I forget? You had a cut right in the middle of your upper lip.”
“When the preacher said you may kiss the bride. I kissed you so hard my lip started to bleed.” He said, grinning.
“It's written in stone, my love, or at least in pictures of us coming down the aisle with blood dripping down your chin.” She said.
“Your aunt Mary thought you bit me.” He said, laughing. “I still can’t believe you save that white handkerchief with my blood on it.”
“I wanted it to remind me of the happiest day of my life.” She said, kissing him, getting shaving cream on her nose. He dabbed it off with a towel.
“I better finish shaving. The grandkids will be here in about an hour.”
“I’ll get the cake out of the refrigerator. Can you believe it? 55 years married to the most wonderful man in the world.”
“Honey, you have been a great wife, companion, and friend. I love you.”
She raised her finger. “Now you be careful, mister. No cut lips on our 55th wedding anniversary.”
“Yes, dear.”
She went downstairs to prepare a meal for their children and grandchildren.
He watched her go, then turned back to the man in the mirror.
Speaking to his reflection, he said. “You, my friend, are the richest man in the world.”
The Man in the Mirror(Darrell Case)
John Fontaine looked back at himself in the mirror. How many times had he shaved? A thousand, two thousand? Every day since he was 16. The day he graduated high school, then college. How carefully he shaved on his wedding day. He was so nervous he cut his lip. He grinned. Kissing his bride hurt all the way down to his toes.
His wife appeared behind him.
“What are you looking at?” She said, smiling.
“Wrinkles wrinkles and gray hair.” He said.
“Don’t forget the little bald spot right on top of your head.” Kissing her finger, she touched his thinning hair.
“He turned from the mirror and their eyes met. “How did we get so old?” He said, taking her in his arms.
“We’ve had a wonderful life.” She said. “I love you.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you too. Remember our wedding day?”
“How could I forget? You had a cut right in the middle of your upper lip.”
“When the preacher said you may kiss the bride. I kissed you so hard my lip started to bleed.” He said, grinning.
“It's written in stone, my love, or at least in pictures of us coming down the aisle with blood dripping down your chin.” She said.
“Your aunt Mary thought you bit me.” He said, laughing. “I still can’t believe you save that white handkerchief with my blood on it.”
“I wanted it to remind me of the happiest day of my life.” She said, kissing him, getting shaving cream on her nose. He dabbed it off with a towel.
“I better finish shaving. The grandkids will be here in about an hour.”
“I’ll get the cake out of the refrigerator. Can you believe it? 55 years married to the most wonderful man in the world.”
“Honey, you have been a great wife, companion, and friend. I love you.”
She raised her finger. “Now you be careful, mister. No cut lips on our 55th wedding anniversary.”
“Yes, dear.”
She went downstairs to prepare a meal for their children and grandchildren.
He watched her go, then turned back to the man in the mirror.
Speaking to his reflection, he said. “You, my friend, are the richest man in the world.”
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Valerie Allen
01/24/2023Now, this is a "true love" story! Got me a fella 43 years ago and we're still hanin' in there - jest tryin' to figger it all out! Thanks for this uplifting story ~
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
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Shirley Smothers
01/23/2023Congratulations on Story Star of the week. Beautiful story. Reminiscing is a wonderful thing. Love your story.
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Kevin Hughes
01/23/2023Darrel,
I already made my remarks the first time I read it. Now, I just want to thank you again for writing this. And...congrats on StoryStar of the Week too!
Smiles, Kevin
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Darrell Case
11/03/2022Thank you all. Its great knowing the story touched you as it did me. The love between a husband and wife grows as they are married longer. As I said I miss my wife every minute. She was a part of me.
May God bless each and every one of you
Darrell
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JD
01/22/2023I know it is sometimes difficult to respond to each person who comments on your story, but i just want to remind you that not one person who commented will know that you responded here, unless they happen to open this story again. usually, once someone reads a story, they don't go back to it, so therefore most of those who you have intended to reply to will never see/read your reply.... which is sad, since u wrote such a nice reply. / Maybe being chosen as the short story STAR of the week will bring some of them back to see this. I hope so. Thanks for sharing this beautiful heart warming love story, Darrell. Those who share a life long love are indeed rich beyond measure.
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Kevin Hughes
11/02/2022Darrel,
I knew this would win an Award. My heart brakes for you everytime I read it. I know you are grateful for every moment you had with her...but Jesus, it has to be a fight every day to stay in the now. I remember an old Hemingway Quote...and I hope it doesn't bring up bad emotions, but I think you will understand the quote for its deeper meanings...it goes like this:
"There is no lonlier man in death, except the suicide, than that man who has lived many years with a good wife and ten outlived her. If two people love each other there can be no happy end to it."
There are happy memories...times I know you wouldn't give up even if you knew it was going to end like it did. I cherish the moments I have with my Kathy...and hate that one (or the other) of us, is going to have to live out his quote.
You touched a lot of people Darrel, in a time where fear and hate rule the airwaves and TV...you made them step back and think thoughts of loving gratitude. So don't think this Award is just a little thing on a website...it touched the humanity and grace of all of us who have loved, or are loved.
Smiles, Kevin
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Shirley Smothers
11/02/2022A lovely story. My parents were married 55 years. Truely sweet story. Thank you for sharing.
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Martha Hume
11/02/2022Congratulations on Story Star of the day. Thank you for a delightful love story.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
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Kristin Dockar
11/02/2022I loved this story. It was so real and as someone who has just reached the 50 years married mark, I know what a special thing that is.
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Lillian Kazmierczak
11/01/2022Darrel that was beautiful! So sweet and a scene that doesn't play out as much as it used to...so sad. What a loving relationship they had. I hope that was a reflection of your marraige!
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Darrell Case
01/23/2023Lillian
Thank you. Yes it was . I miss my wife every minute of the day. God bless you. I hope your doing well.
Darrell
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Shelly Garrod
11/01/2022Beautiful Darrel. Gave me goose bumps as I was reading. I know a few couples who have been married for fourty and fifty years. One couple will be married 65 years in February. So many lifelong couples can relate to this story.
Shelly
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Darrell Case
11/01/2022Shelly
Thank you. My wife and I had almost 42 years together. She was my best friend. She believed in me when no one else did.
May you have a great day.
Darrell
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Kevin Hughes
10/29/2022Darrel,
Just wonderful. I am the man in the mirror...and I am not alone. It has only been 42 years for Kathy and i, and I no longer shave every day...maybe twice a week. But in every other way, this is our story. I know a whole host of folks who will see themselves in this wonderful short story.
A reflection of the way life is for those of us lucky enough to have chosen well.
Smiles, Kevin
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Darrell Case
10/29/2022Kevin
You and me both my friend. There is never enough time with the one we love. Connie and I were married almost 42 years. To say I miss her would be an understatement. I hope you and your wife enjoy each and every day.
May God richly bless both of you.
Darrell
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