How on earth had she gotten so lucky? The past few days had been so amazingly perfect. She'd gotten up around 7:30 am, made coffee and wandered outside to the porch to drink it. The days had been warm, but not hot, around 70 at first and then rising to the lower 80s. Within 30 minutes each morning, her husband had joined her. They'd relaxed together on the porch with their coffee, chatting a bit and listening to the birds sing. It was great to be alive!
After that first cup of coffee, they'd gotten dressed and headed out on a leasurely walk. She liked to walk through town and he liked the woods. Fortunately, they'd found the perfect house when they'd gone into semi-retirement. They owned forty acres next to a game reserve in the foothills of the mountains. Their road was on the outskirts of a lively village. By cutting through the side of their property and across a few large lawns, they could be on the edge of the village. That's where they headed today, walking down the neat streets, smiling and waving to people who were outside, peering in the shop windows once they got near the center of town and chatting about their plans for the upcoming weekend.
"We haven't had Adam and Paula over in a while. Should we invite them for Saturday? We could have them come a little early and help us cook!" she said.
"That's a great idea. You know, I was wondering if they might like to play cards. We haven't played cards in ages." he said.
"Cards? I'm not sure they're the card playing type. We always have such great conversations with them. You never know, though. We could suggest it and see what they say."
"What should we eat? If the weather is going to stay nice, we could barbecue."
"I could make potato salad and a big green salad. We could chill some wine. Do you want to have venison or chicken?"
"How about Salmon?"
"Grilled Salmon? I love it! or Red Snapper! Either one."
"Does potato salad go with salmon?"
"It could, if I make it with a vinaigrette and feta cheese. Something lighter than my mother's recipe."
"Hmmm. Maybe."
They turned and went a few more blocks before looping back toward the woods behind their house, continuing to discuss the menu. It was cooler in the woods and the birds were singing brightly. Their dog pranced along beside them , sniffing here and there and enjoying the exercise. Her husband was quiet, listening and looking for signs of deer and other wildlife. She quieted down beside him, relishing his nearness, the joy of having time with him.
When they reached the house, they grabbed another cup of coffee, adding milk, sugar and ice to this mug. They settled down once again on the porch; she with her Kindle to read a manuscript she'd just received, he with his laptop to review patients' labs. They were both working, but reduced schedules. She was an assistant in a research lab at the nearby university and he was an OB/GYN, but kept his patient load very small. He occasionally taught a lecture at the medical college. They used to be hounded to work more, but had made it very clear that it was part-time or no time. It had taken a while, but the administrators had finally stopped pushing.
This was the life she'd always wanted. They worked, but part-time. They volunteered at their church and some community organizations. Their children were grown and living in the northeast. They saw them for the major holidays and as they travelled south for vacations. They saw them a fair amount, more than many people saw their children. The most important thing was that they saw each other.
As she sipped her ice coffee, and counted her blessings, she looked forward to lunch, yard work and another walk around the woods and town. The sun had risen high in the sky and would soon begin its descent. She hoped Adam and Paula would be able to come over. She'd call them soon. Then, she'd put the finishing touches on their menu, so she could pick up any needed items in the afternoon. Tomorrow would be busy and high energy, but today, they'd keep it slow and calm.
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