True Love

To be in your eighties and married for sixty plus years consitutues many milestones of shared memories. In this day it has become even rarer to witness couples that share this amazing love . A love that crosses decades and encompasses a multitude of life experiences which binds two hearts together , is truly a blessing. Not only is it a blessing for the two hearts that have in essence become one , it is also a blessing for those that have the honour of watching this love in action.

I was working on the Oncology unit  where we had an elderly gentleman as our patient. This fellow had been ill prior to his cancer diagnosis and as a result he and his wife had not lived together for a few years. The care he required was greater than she could provide, so like many elderly couples these days they were separated not by choice but by one partners increased need for nursing care.She visited regularly and supported him with an undying love.

Love! What really is love? I watched love one day. It unfolded like this.

Our patients' wife came in for her daily visit and as she shuffled down the hallway with her walker she stopped at the nursing station to ask a question prior to her visit . She pointed out to us that she had not slept with her husband for a few years due to the separation required for his care. She then explained that she knew his time was short.Her request was simple. "Do you think I could get into bed with him and lie beside him?",she asked. The nurses honoured her request and assisted her by lowering the siderails and helping her into her husband's hospital bed .

Her wish was granted and their love was honoured that day. A love that old age and a walker and a cancer diagnosis could not dampen.A love that stood the test of time even when there was so little  earthly time left to spare.

True love ,truly loves.