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Virgil had no relatives left except his
sister-in-law. He had outlived them all. His wife had died several
years ago leaving him all alone. Recently a fall had left him needing
physical therapy three times a week.
About this time, the sister-in-law decided she couldn't handle driving
him around and talked him into an assisted living apartment. After all,
the man was now 92 years old, even if he did look more like 70. His
tall, slim stature and the color he used faithfully on his hair took
years off. After looking around at "homes," Virgil decided on one.
Virgil's furniture was taken to his new home. His bags were packed and
he moved in just in time for the evening meal. The attendant walked
around introducing him to the other residents. At the end of the first
table Rosie was sitting with her friends. The minute Virgil laid eyes
on Rosie; he knew she was the one. Pulling up a chair beside her, he
crowded in and had dinner. Later, he and Rosie sat on the porch and
talked a while before he escorted her to her apartment.
Virgil was happy as a bird as he made his way to
his place, a few doors down. That was probably the only night he slept
in his apartment. Next morning he was rapping softly on Rosie’s door.
They were inseparable for the next month. Virgil had been a singer in a
barbershop quartet and you could hear him at any given time during the
day singing one of his songs to Rosie: My Wild Irish, Rose Sweet Rosie
O'Grady, The Yellow Rose of Texas—the list was endless of songs about
Rose, Rosie, or Rosalie. He usually dressed in a suit with a necktie
and carried a rose for Rosie.
One morning Virgil called the doctor. Rosie was
ill. She was placed in the hospital with pneumonia. Rosie was 87 years
old and it looked pretty bad. Virgil did not leave her side. He
ordered food from the cafeteria and sat beside her holding her hand.
Someone from the home brought him clean clothes, but Virgil would not
leave Rosie. When her family came, he told them after Rosie was better,
they were to be married. He said Rosie had agreed. One month later
Rosie and Virgil said their I do's with her family in attendance. A
reception followed at the home. For the next three months, Virgil and
Rosie went everywhere together. They had lunch in the park, strolled
leisurely by the river stopping to feed the ducks, attended Church, and
the movies. Virgil went with Rosie to the hairdressers, waiting
patiently so he could tell her how beautiful she looked. They were
never more than an arm’s length away from each other. Virgil still sang
to her several times a day.
This taste of paradise was not to last. One
morning Rosie was waiting for Virgil to come out of the bathroom when
she heard him fall. Hurrying in she found him on the floor. Using the
intercom she soon had help and an ambulance on the way. Alas, it was
too late to save him. A massive heart attack the doctor said. The
sweet tenor voice would sing no more.
Four months later Rosie is still grieving for
Virgil, but she thanks God daily for bringing Virgil into her life. If
you ask her she will tell you she thought her life was over until she
met Virgil. The ray of sunshine he brought her will continue to warm
her until the day she sees him again, and hears his songs.
Her love story gave hope to a lot of the ladies in the home. Maybe one
day another Prince Charming will move into the assisted living home and
make one of them as happy as Virgil made Rosie.
©Sept
2006
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