A few days ago, I met Marcella.
She lives in a home with several other people her age.
The day I met her, she was sitting in a courtyard.
She was wrapped in two blankets. Wisps of grey hair trickled out from under her hat.
I went to her and sat on the ground at her feet.
The sun beat down on us, keeping us warm from the cool breeze.
Her face was covered in wrinkles, each one telling a story, permanently marking her with emotion.
Laugh lines, signs of heartbreak.
I held her hand. She held mine in return.
When she smiled, her half-toothless grin was unveiled.
She did not have much to say.
Most of our communication was done without words.
A touch here, a smile there.
I quickly became lost in the untold story hidden in her eyes.
I am learning that Love is greater than words, more powerful than a language barrier.
My friend came over to us. I said, “This is Marcella. Ella es bonita. She is beautiful.”
Marcella blinked back the tears, allowing only one to escape down her cheek.
I looked back at her. Smiling, we sat in silence for a couple minutes.
Breaking the silence, she said, “Te abrazo. I hug you.”
Rising to my knees, I leaned in for a hug.
She rested her head on my shoulder as we both relaxed and melted into the embrace.
Looking back into her eyes, I said, “Quiero decirte, Dios te ama. I want to tell you, God loves you.”
She stared back at me. Eyes focused. A sense of peace covered her.
Closing her eyes, she directed her face towards of the sun, taking in the fullness of its warmth.
Within moments, she had drifted off to sleep, while the peace remained etched on her face.
I saw her later that day.
We exchanged smiles, not just on our faces, but also in our hearts.
