I met the most adorable couple today. Peter and George. They’ve been together for 47 years. George is in a wheelchair. Peter takes care of him. He cooks for him, cuts his steak for him. He helps him up the stairs.
They’re still in love. Not like all over each other in love. Old people in love. The way you finish each other’s sentences in love. The way you tease each other in love. The way you roll your eyes at each other in love.
I was introduced to George and Peter through my friend Justin. Justin’s my hairdresser. He’s straight. He’s been my hairdresser for 16 years. Really. My brother took me to Justin’s for my 18th birthday. I’m 34 now. Almost 35. I guess that means I know Justin almost 17 years. That’s a long time.
I love Justin. He’s family. Justin loves me too. Says I’m special. I don’t think I’m special, though it’s nice to hear.
Anyway. Back to George and Peter. They invited Justin and me to brunch at the Lowell Hotel. Have you ever been to the Lowell Hotel? It’s up on 63rd and Madison. It’s beautiful. Old. Classy. Foie gras and caviar kind of classy. Beluga. I actually had the foie gras. It was amazing. Like butter. Didn’t have the Beluga. Fish eggs. Yuck.
We went on a walk after brunch. Me, Justin, Peter, George. Justin pushed George’s wheelchair. I walked along with Peter. We walked and walked and walked. We walked until we stepped right into the Central Park Zoo. We saw seals. Polar bears too. Then we sat on a bench, watched people go by. We watched and watched and watched and watched. It was one of those perfect days. Sunny, clear, like God was in a good mood. We sat there watching. We watched until Peter said it was time for George to take a nap.
Justin, me, Peter, George then walked back to their apartment, helped George up the stairs. Wheelchair was heavy. I wondered how Peter and George manage when Justin’s not around. I said my good-byes, then took the E-train back to Chelsea.
On the train, I turned on my ipod. Then smiled all the way back home.
I met the cutest couple today. 47 years. Perfect. Like God was in a good mood.
nice to read an entry like this from you.
Posted by: Ryan | August 12, 2006 at 10:52 PM
A perfect day indeed. Thank you for sharing a great story.
Posted by: Cliff | August 12, 2006 at 11:53 PM
What a wonderful story! It's those kinds of experiences that make life worth living!
Posted by: Glenn | August 13, 2006 at 04:23 PM
Hope springs eternal...
Posted by: Damien | August 13, 2006 at 09:20 PM
Like god was in a good mood... indeed. Days like that are so few and far between - thank you for sharing yours.
Posted by: Rick | August 13, 2006 at 10:22 PM
Inspiring little slice of life. I smiled a little wider after reading that this morning. You could have also called the entry "Like Ethan was in a good mood today.''
Posted by: Johnny Diaz | August 14, 2006 at 12:09 AM
here's to the dream we all share, right? nice to see you back. E
Posted by: eric | August 14, 2006 at 02:07 PM
What a great way to spend an afternoon. It made me smile just reading.....
Posted by: Roy | August 14, 2006 at 04:53 PM
Think that's a dream that pretty much all of us share :)
Paul
Posted by: Paul | August 15, 2006 at 12:28 PM
I really enjoyed this entry... it was optimistic and heartfelt, but honest...
we live in a world that can be so brutally ugly and cruel in all it's beauty, that it's nice to see two people find a world in eachother in which to escape...
and consequently share that world with others...
Posted by: Jonathan | August 15, 2006 at 03:23 PM
glad to see you're back... it's been awhile since your last post... you've been missed.
Posted by: D-squared | August 15, 2006 at 03:57 PM
What a surprisingly, wonderful change on your writing. It's so light and beautiful. Those little moments, days, are the ones that add up at the end, and it is great to find that in you. I told you you have to leave Chelsea every once in a while. LOL.
Posted by: fabio | August 15, 2006 at 10:10 PM
...like inspiring
thank you so much...
Posted by: Miguel | August 16, 2006 at 09:10 AM
Those of us who are substantially younger than Peter and George often miss out on the fact that there are many, many loving long-term relationships in our community. This story is truly inspirational and heart warming. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lavi Soloway | August 16, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Sometimes, we gain so much more from quietly walking, watching, and BEING with each other...I think our elders know the strength and simple sincerity of emanating their spirit.
Kind of like how we quietly ponder the pensive musings of our fellow webloggers...
Posted by: Kev | August 17, 2006 at 08:51 PM
God is always in good mood if He see happy people :)
Posted by: Szymon Niemiec | August 20, 2006 at 06:13 PM
dear Mr. SOG
i've been reading your blog and love it, btw, im asking for your permition to copy-paste this entry to my blog... is it okay? please let me know... it's so beautiful (really) you are a very talented writter.
and for the record,... i also want to link your blog to mine.
i hope it's okay with you.
i have a blog also but it's written in indonesian.
whether the answer is yes or no,... just let me know.
thx
Posted by: jonathan | August 23, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Oh please. You do too think you are special.
:)
Posted by: Brechi | August 23, 2006 at 09:30 PM
Dear Jonathan,
Thanks for the kind words. Flattered. Feel free to link and paste. And I'll check out your blog, though my Indonesian's a bit rusty.
Posted by: Ethan | August 23, 2006 at 09:30 PM
Lovely story, 30 years together here which I still find unbelievable.
Posted by: Michelangelo | August 27, 2006 at 09:18 PM
That was quite lovely.
There is nothing else more to say.
Posted by: Steven. | August 29, 2006 at 08:21 PM
I love ur story's. I can't get enough of them. I really l;ike the one about you coming out to ur parents! very moving!
Posted by: Mark | August 30, 2006 at 06:04 PM
... thanks... a... lot...
Posted by: jonathan | September 04, 2006 at 03:33 AM
yup, that's the way life should be isn't it?
Posted by: Carl Hendrickson | September 05, 2006 at 04:01 PM