THE KING FINDS HIS QUEEN…. DON’T EVER GIVE UP ON LOVE.

A guest post by: Eric Barr We all know people who don't let circumstances get in their way. Ever! My great uncle Abe is one of these unstoppable people. Abe's nickname is the King, and it fits. Ramrod straight, firm handshake, fit and strong, Abe is also charming, intelligent, funny and without pretense. His piercing light blue eyes can control and caress, even now at 100 years old. Ironically, Abe wasn't always known as the King. In fact, he was closer to a pauper earlier in life. Abe was the youngest of 9 children of a tired, poor, rural Rhode Island family. As a teenager, he was exiled to New York City to live with Sadie, his oldest sister, and her family. Sadie's hardscrabble, immigrant husband Hyman, the owner of a horse stable, believed it was his responsibility to toughen up the scrawny, timid country boy. Hyman worked poor Abe at the stable, and also paid a local tough to bully Abe on a daily basis. Many people would resent their circumstances and helplessly accept the role of victim, but not Abe. Abe fought back, beat up the bully, and become a powerful, independent young man. The lessons he learned from Hyman ultimately helped him become a successful businessman and owner of a lumber yard. Abe often visited his family on weekends in Rhode Island. On one occasion, he visited Hyman's family in Massachusetts where he was smitten by Hyman's niece, a beautiful young woman by the name of Frances. Abe fell instantly in love. Unfortunately for Abe, this was a long distance relationship and he was poor. Ultimately, he was unable to hold on to his first love and he took it hard when Frances dumped him. Heartbroken, Abe could have chosen either to wallow in depression or to move forward with his life. Abe chose the latter, and within 6 months he was engaged to Ada. Although Abe and Ada were happily married for 60 years, he never forgot his Frances. Abe's adventure continued after Ada's death. One morning after a brisk workout, 90 year-old Abe met an old friend, Mannette, on the streets of Boca Raton. Mannette is Frances' sister and she reintroduced the former couple. Ironically, Frances lived only a few blocks from Abe. Frances, twice widowed and still beautiful and vivacious, remembered Abe VERY well. Just like they were as young kids, together the sparks flew. The two ninety-year olds become an inseparable, hand-holding, mushy, giggly couple. I have learned through Abe to play full out, and that happiness comes when you least expect it. It may even come at age 90, sweaty and disheveled after an exhausting workout. You just never know.