LASTING LOVE - from Youth to Old Age

I think it's always touching to see an old couple who obviously care deeply for each other. My own mum and step-dad were very special to me and I loved the way they interacted with each other. And only yesterday I saw a couple who had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful success.

In a time when divorce is all too easy, we should ask what these folk did to hold onto such an amazing lifetime commitment. Of course there are always exceptions when abusive behaviour or betrayal happens, but how does the average couple guard against this?

The old axiom, "the family that prays together, stays together," is a step in the right direction. Because the fact that the closer each gets to God in our daily lives, the closer we come to our beloved partner. And there are so many ways we can stay true to our wedding promises to love and cherish each other. Sometimes it's just too easy to hurt the one you love, and that's where saying sorry and forgiveness plays a huge part in cementing the matrimonial bonds. The following story points out this truth:

 It was a busy morning when an elderly gentleman arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was n a hurry as he had another appointment at 9:am. I saw him looking at his watch and decided since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

It had healed and the sutures were removed and his thumb redressed. While taking care of him, I asked him did he have another doctor's appointment because he was in such a hurry. The gentleman said no, but he needed to go to a nursing home to have breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me she had been there awhile because she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew him and had not recognized him for five years. I was surprised and asked, "And you still go every morning even though she doesn't now who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

True love is neither simply physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

* I give my thanks to my second cousin, Kerry Minto, for this lovely example of true, long lasting love.