I bought my current home in 2004.
From the first day, I noticed a couple walking down my new street, sometimes more than once per day.
There was a very tall, wiry white man, and a very short, wiry Chinese woman.
He was always well ahead of her and she was always half jogging trying to keep up, but she never could catch him.
This made sense as his gait was twice the length of hers.
I never approached them as there was never a need.
22 years have passed with these two walking fixtures in my neighborhood.
Recently, in April, 2024, I noticed one day she was walking alone, very slowly. I had never seen either of them alone.
Over the next two months I noticed her walking alone many more times.
Today, Friday, June 28, 2024, I saw her walking alone again.
I pulled up to her and opened my passenger car window,
and said: “I am so sorry for your loss.”
She said: “Thanks so much. I miss him more than anyone can know or understand.”
Then she continued on her way.
