The Photograph

She gazed at the faded photograph in her hands, trying to connect to the younger people she saw. She knew that was herself, so much younger, healthy, full of life. But why was she seeing herself with someone she didn’t know? Was it really her? Who was the man, so tenderly holding her hand, both faces contented, both faces happy? Who had put this in this ornate frame, and why? And why was it here, on her table?

She tried to remember, his eyes did seem familiar, but she was sure she didn’t know him, hadn’t known him. Surely she would remember knowing someone as handsome as this man, with his kind eyes and happy smile. 

She began to feel frustrated, for she couldn't remember ever being that happy, she’d never met that man, and she couldn’t understand how this photograph was here. She kept and revisited the memories of her life regularly, scratching her heart with regrets and ruminating on what was not, what could have been, the lost, youthful dreams of love and happiness. Decades could slip and slide in her mind, confusing the here and now with the past. Years could disappear in a moment. Recent days could vanish, while childhood feelings and events could feel like no time had passed. 

She was certain that she had not known love, did not know the man in the photo, yet here she was, staring back at her, happy and in love. She felt a tear run down her face. She dropped her head, permitting the tears to flow freely, feeling the confused grief dampen her cheeks. 

A cup of tea was placed on the table next to her as she gazed at the photograph, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Could this man really have been part of her history? An equally wrinkled hand touched hers gently. The touch was warm and comforting, bringing her back to the present.

“Here’s your tea, love.” The voice was familiar, she felt it stirring memories in her mind. She looked up, her eyes taking a moment to focus. She saw the stranger, the man with kindness and love in his eyes. His face was older, but she could see the same sparkly eyes and crooked smile within the creased face, and she remembered, for a moment, the life she had lived, the years of happiness they had shared together. She remembered that she had known love, had lived a full and happy life, she remembered the homes they’d lived in, their courtship and the day they married, she remembered it all as she gazed into his eyes and smiled back. 

She tried to fight it, tried to stay with him, with their memories and their life, but she felt her eyes lose focus as she placed the photo back down and picked up the cup of tea. As she took a sip, she gazed again at the photograph, wondering who the happy young people were, gazing back at her. For it couldn’t be her, she didn’t know the handsome young man smiling at her.