Got Gelato?

Those of you who were with us on this journey last summer will remember hearing about magical summer evenings on our "front porch", enjoying a gelato. Those of you who were not with us..we don't have a front porch. We live in a tall building with a plaza below street level that serves as our "front porch". There is a great italian deli located there, and they serve gelato....it is heavenly stuff! Last summer, Lou and I spent many evenings on our front porch. He loved it. But each time we were there, he would say "this is so nice. Why don't we do this more often?". Each time we went, and we went often (I have the extra ten lbs to prove it), was the "first" time for Lou. It's hard to believe, but it's true. Last summer, Lou could walk down the steps to get there. This summer, we have the wheelchair. The only problem with the wheelchair is that it is not easy to get to that particular location with a wheelchair, and, it is not easy to maneuver...Lou is not a small man. At any rate, after dinner, I decided we must have gelato, it was a perfect summer evening. Lou actually agreed. He has not been out in quite some time, but I knew the idea of gelato would work! After much huffing and puffing, I got him there. It was not quite as magical as last year. Lou does not talk as well, or as much. He has a hard time managing spoons, cones, and things that melt. He slumps in the wheelchair and looks sadly. Sigh. But then, the glimmers come...."what do you think we should do with the rest of our lives?", he says. Hmmmm....that's a loaded question, isn't it? He tells me he really feels lucky...amazing, isn't it? And, "when do you think I should retire", he says....remember, he has not been in the office since late last year...he says he "thinks" he could travel with me. This, after I barely got him down to the plaza of our building. But the best remark he made was that he wants to do something to help others he said. "What do you think it would be", I asked. He doesnt know. He wants it to be "significant." I could not get him to verbalize what is in his mind....but something is there. Guess we'll have to have more gelato to find out what it is....another ten pounds this summer? Well, I guess that would be a good thing, wouldn't it.