A New Laminate Floor - A Love Story, Part I

Mom and Dad (John and Linda) live the sweet life.  They experience the joys of retirement at Spanish Oaks, a retirement community in Florida.  They participate in all one would thing a retirement community would have to offer; Friday night potlucks, holiday parties, bingo, sometimes swimming in the winter in the heated pool, happy hour, private parties on the patio, and most importantly, spending time with all their many friends that just stop by to chat for no reason at all.  They also take on special projects. 
In December, John chose a play, scouted for the perfect actors, and directed his second play.  It was put on to a sell out crowd that eagerly look forward to the next play production.  While John was the Director, Linda was the Producer.  You see, they always do everything together.  She fed the actors as they studied their parts when they came to the house.  She copied all 25+ scripts for the actors.  She helped in the costume department.  She listened for hours as he pondered over many decisions.  It may appear to outsiders as if this was John's play, but it was their play.
Over the last several weeks, John and Linda ripped up the carpet in the dining room and started the huge project of putting in laminate flooring.  They have always tackle home remodeling projects.  In the earlier years, together they built rooms on to the house and even went as far to build a two story garage.  The jobs go a little slower these days.  Linda has multiple sclerosis and John has a bad back from an injury many, many years ago.  But together, the job still gets done.  John lays the floor while Linda is there at his side, his charming assistant.  She totes the tools, brings the next piece of laminate to the job, and makes the lunch to sustain her husband's taste for delicious food.  They take breaks together and get out of the house after a day or two of hard work, going to Sam's for provisions or a consignment store to discover the latest bargain.  You see, John and Linda have ALWAYS done everything together. 

Over the years, some things have changed.  John was a peddler of aluminum by trade.  He could get anywhere by practically his sense of smell.  Seriously, he knew the streets of any major city east of the Mississippi.  Over the past few years, his compass has begun to fail him.  Ever so gently, Linda began to assist in directing the traveling, something that was new for both of them.  Along came the global positioning system for the car and the world was right again. 
Linda can't go shopping all day like she used to- her right foot and leg won't allow it.  The MS has curtailed many activities, some she dearly enjoyed and others that were a part of everyday life.  Like walking up and down steps, getting out of a bathtub, dancing the night away with John, and helping down on the floor putting in laminate flooring.  John takes care of Linda in the sweetest of ways.  He goes to car shows by himself without saying a word about missing her presence.  He always walks on her right side holding her arm to strengthen her stature, all the while holding her purse in his left hand.  He always saves the last slow dance of the evening for Linda, even if it isn't quite the two-step it was before. 
Mom and Dad, your love lights the world on fire.   It is a gift you share with all those you have known.  Your children thank you for the love story you have shared with us for a lifetime.