Best to tell this story at night, around a fire, with kids…
The Yellow Ribbon
She was born on the thirty first of October. He was born a few minutes later.
Her parents – ECM developers. His parents – BPM.
Their families lived side by side.
He can remember seeing her for the first time, smiling, in a white baby dress, with a big yellow ribbon around her neck.
Crawling over he asked: “googly goo googgg” (what’s that ribbon around your neck?)
“bloo blabli boo”, she replied (none of your business!) and crawled away.
They went through primary school together, sitting next to each other in class, walking home together, doing homework together.
They were inseparable, like two peas in a pod.
Discovering the world together… but every time he would try to ask her about the yellow ribbon – she would change the subject. After a while he gave up asking.
In high school, their friendship grew into romance. He had grown into a handsome young man. She had blossomed into the prettiest and kindness of girls. A match made in heaven.
University was the first time that they were apart.
She went to learn Business Analysis in a university in the east.
He went to learn Enterprise Management in a university in the west.
After four long years they returned. Their love for each other had grown.
He bent down on his knee and asked her to marry him. She gladly accepted.
On the day of the wedding, she looked beautiful. A long white dress with a yellow ribbon around her neck.
“As we will soon be wed” he said, “would you like to tell your future husband the secret of the ribbon?”
Her face fell. “Are you marrying me just because of the ribbon?”, she asked with tears in her eyes.
“Of course not, my dear” he replied. “I love you with all my heart”.
And he never asked her about the ribbon again…
The years went by. The couple had children. The children had grandchildren. The grandchildren had great-grandchildren.
At the ripe old age of 100, she lay in bed, ready to accept the inevitable. Her loved ones by her side. She spoke to them with love and affection, thanking them for the life they shared.
She then asked to be alone with her husband.
They looked at each other. Love and sadness in their eyes. No words were needed. They had been together for the last century.
“My dearest” he said. “Before you leave us.. I have but one small question that has puzzled me all our life together”.
“Ah..The ribbon” she replied with a smile. “Yes, you can remove it now..”
With trembling old hands, he removed the ribbon.
… and her head… rolled… off.
Happy Halloween
Adam Deane 
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