True Love

My daughter caught me staring into space this morning and I told her I was just thinking, and I was. I was thinking about True Love.  Many of you probably don't know that Connie and Dave have known each other since they were eight years old.  They were married at 20 and had a dry wedding.  This year they celebrate 50 years of marriage. Yes, it's rare.  They are rare.

This morning my Mom called Dad early, we're talking 7am, and reminded him to bring the nail tools back because he was trimming her nails for her yesterday and he missed a few spots. This isn't the first little thing that he has done, it's one of many.  She now calls him "her husband" and he has seen her every day she has been there riding the waves of pain, sorrow, sadness and few rare moments of joy.

There was a day recently my niece was visiting and saw the interaction of Mom and Dad.  Dad was saying goodbye and he was crying.  My niece started to cry not because of Con/Mom's condition, but because of the love they have and share.  They are a team.  They are committed to caring for each other until the end and have respected each other for all of these years.

Sure they have little miffs, but who doesn't.  There has never been mistreatment.  To give you a little more insight into this beautiful world of theirs without getting too personal, let me tell you this: every night Mom would say "I'll make the coffee".  In the morning, Dad would get up early to let out the dog, feed him and bring Mom her coffee in bed.  Then, she would get up and make his lunch.  Since Dad was still working a bit up until Dec. 30 he was still in need of his lunch.

When I was on a trip with my parents two years ago we saw a dog running along the beach.  It was a chocolate lab. :) Mom had been yearning for a dog and always joked that she would get one when Dad "kicked the bucket". It was Mother's Day weekend and on that Sunday, my Dad gave my Mom a card that said she could get a dog. They always sign their cards to each other "#1 Buddy".  Dad drew a paw print on that one, too.Jack has been her new baby, her companion and has given her the greatest joy and he will continue to do so.  The first few days in the hospital she was already asking for him.  What a blessing that Dad caved in and  gave her this joy, this love.

So, that's just a small morning anecdote about their love.  I hope you are blessed in life to experience just a day of what they have.