LETTERS: COUPLES GROW OLDER AND MORE ALIKE

To the editor:

Most recently as I meditated about being married to the same person for 30 years, something occurred to me which I find absolutely amazing. When two people live together this many years, their minds become one, even if they have both developed a serious memory loss. In fact, this is when it becomes the most important. I find examples of the following conversation almost a daily experience:

"Do you remember -- you know, that person who came by. What was his name?"

"Yes, I remember him. Let's see. I think his name was -- it begins with a B, I think it was. No, that wasn't it."

"Well, anyway, he was wearing that -- you know, and we wondered if he was going to ... and he did."

"I remember, but I think he already had and we were wondering if he was going to ... or something."

"That's right. Man, what was that guy's name?"

Then later in the day, at the some moment, we both say, "I remember. His name was ... " and we both shout out the name. Which is followed by, "I think we should go out and celebrate by having a cup of ... what we had the other night."

"So do I. What was that called? Was it -- no, perhaps it was ... ."

Would you not agree that oneness of mind is a beautiful thing?

RON FARROW

Cape Girardeau