The Forever Bride

The minister asks, “do you take this woman…?”

His words fade to the background as I look into my bride’s glistening blue eyes. She is so beautiful, so lovely, adorned in her flawless white wedding gown. 

“I do,” I answer.

How can I be so lucky? I never dreamed I would find love again after Karen lost her brave fight against the intruder who brutally attacked her. The intruder named “Cancer.”  

We shared thirty-two wonderful years together of love, laughter, and life–a life I thought would never end. But one day she was gone–torn cruelly from my arms–leaving me to grieve all alone in a bitter, cold world.

Then I met this most perfect woman standing next to me. She reminds me of Karen in so many ways. She looks like the healthy pre-cancer version of Karen–she talks like her, acts like her, laughs like her. 

Some dreams really do come true. 

I hear the words, “do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” 

My bride pauses, overcome with emotion, tears flowing down her cheeks. Tears of joy, just like mine. This is the moment I’ve waited for, the moment she will be mine, to love, honor, and cherish forever.

She nods. “I do.” 

I reach for her hand; she leans towards me and gives me a kiss. A long, passionate kiss–warm and familiar–a kiss I never want to end. Our lips part reluctantly; she squeezes my hand and whispers, “I will see you soon my love.” 

She dissolves before me like a wisp of smoke, and I’m standing alone. Where did she go?

“No!” I cry. “Please don’t leave me!” The room spins in a dizzy kaleidoscope of color, and I can’t breathe. I feel weak and my legs buckle.  

I fall into a black abyss, suffocating, flailing, falling faster and deeper with every second. 

My momentum slows; I see a pinprick of light growing larger and brighter. I must have passed out. How embarrassing. I need to get back to the wedding. Back to my bride. My wife. 

I feel a touch on my shoulder and hear a distant voice. “Mr. Carson, are you okay?” A blurred shape above me slowly comes into focus. “I think you were having a bad dream. Here, drink some water.”  

It’s Nurse Lenora. 

My mind clears, and my eyes adjust to the soft light of my surroundings. I remember where I am. 

I’m in hospice. It was all a dream–the final, longing dream of a dying man. A bad dream? Maybe. But it was the very best bad dream I’ve ever had.

I’m suddenly at peace with myself and the world I’m going to leave. I’m ready to see my beautiful bride–my wife–and be with her forever. I’m ready right now.

I take my last breath. “I love you Karen…I’m on my way…”