Till Death Do Us Part

A very dear friend of mine is slowly succumbing to the ravages of a disease that has stripped her of most of her physical ability. While cognitively she is as aware as ever her body is letting her down. She can only walk, well shuffle really, when she is held up as her balance is not stable. Her voice has diminished to a whisper and the threat of choking has made eating and swallowing a fearful activity. Through all this her husband has been her advocate, nurse, and best friend.

We visited them when I was off last week and it makes me weep to think of the profound love that flows between them. He never lets her out of his sight and he seems to anticipate her need when she barely signals to him. Best of all he can still make her laugh and so, although her voice comes out as a whisper, he can tell a corny joke and her chuckle is rich and deep. She has always been his best audience and this continues.

Her family and circle of friends see that time is precious. She has a large support network of people that love her but her husband’s love for her surpasses all.

When couples take their marriage vows they generally say words, if not the traditional, “To have and to hold, from this day forward for better and worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow till death us do part”, then words to that effect. Few of us, on our wedding day, think as to how those words might be tested. I know this couple, like all of us hoped for a long and rich life where they would be together to old age. Life has handed them a different plan but they are keeping their vows, especially the “in sickness” part. I love them both for who they are and I love them more for how they are coping with this dreadful disease. They are models to me of grace and dignity and steadfast love.

Do you have people in your life who have modelled devotion and care?