Daryl took the Polaroid from Glenn one day and took a picture of Carol while she was sewing up a hole in the knee of one of Daryl's pants. He wanted to remember how quiet and peaceful she looked while the gruesome madness continued outside the prison fences. He wanted to remember the little things she did in caring for them all. He wanted to remember what she taught him about love.
When she saw the camera, she smiled at him. It amused her to see his sentimentality. She playfully flirted, batting her eyelashes dramatically, making his cheeks flush and his heart speed up a little. He was always amazed at her ability to see through his bravado to the tenderness in his heart. She was the first one to ever really see him, bearing witness to the goodness and decency within him, uniquely praising these as strengths rather than labeling them weaknesses, dubbing him a man of honor and worth. Even on that rare occurrence when she disagreed with him, she never tore him down or told him he was wrong. Simply allowing him be who he was, she ignored what she didn't like, but actively showed her appreciation for his many helpful efforts with the simple gift of her smile and a sincere 'thank you.' Soon, every act of his generosity became a testament of her faith in him, an echo of his desire to feel worthy of her praise. And likewise, he sought to return what she had given him, often reminding her how clever and pragmatic she was in solving problems, and secretly wishing he could tell her how beautiful she was when she smiled, how she took his breath away. Her eyes sparkled when she looked at him as if they were shining just for him. Silently, they persuaded him to open his heart. And he wanted to try. Because of her—for her. Patiently, she loved him.
And he loved her.
He always carries the picture in his shirt pocket because he wants to keep her close to his heart. Now that they are separated, he takes the photo out every day to remember her kindnesses, her smile, her radiance. It gives him strength to keep going because he knows he is a good man who is needed and valued. Carol showed him his worth. And he will never forget.
Every day, he awakens with hope that today will be the day he finds her. If he just keeps going. If he keeps trying. Through all the pain, if he simply remembers, then she is never truly gone. Carol taught him that too.
This ritual is his unspoken vow: one day, she will know how much she is loved.