Love Never Ends

Part 2: Love is Patient

A man is bed stricken in a hospital, and his condition seems to get worse each day. He shares the hospital room with my sick father, and as days go by, my family starts making small talk with the man's wife. Unlike our family members, who usually take turns to care for our beloved father, this woman appears to be in the hospital room 24/7. Occasionally, someone comes to relieve her, but a couple of hours later she is back in the room, taking charge of the care of her husband. She doesn't seem to complain, though, and, amazingly, she doesn't look tired or frustrated. Actually she carries herself in a dignified manner. After a few days, she began to share with us about their life. They had married young and raised a family. They both had jobs, so money was not a problem. Life was good. After their kids grew and started families of their own, they both decided to retire as soon as possible in order to travel and enjoy this stage of their lives. Plans were made for a trip, a sort of a second honeymoon. It was exciting to make plans together, choose different places to visit. Unfortunately, fate sometimes strikes when one less expects it. Her husband began to feel sick shortly before their trip, and what at first seemed like mild symptoms soon led to a rapid deterioration of his health. Things never got any better; instead, it had been an uphill battle ever since. He has been in and out of hospitals for more than two years. Friends are sympathetic and visit sometimes, and some family members are obliged to be there and help, but as the months become years, visits are less frequent, but the care he needs is more demanding. However, one person remains by his side, tireless, faithful; his wife. The one he chose to marry; the one who chose him to be the father of their kids. They had shared so much for many years: holidays, birthday parties, the graduations and weddings of their children; and now this. Their world had been reduced to a hospital room. The many months she has been there have given her a sort of expertise in the care he needs, somehow becoming a sort of nurse. Every few minutes, she uses a manual pump to suction phlegm from his throat to help him breathe more easily. She fixes his pillows and tucks the blankets to make sure he is as comfortable as he can be under the circumstances. As I see her patience and loving care for someone who is not even able to communicate with her any longer, I cannot help but wonder ... is this love? What else can it be? His body is everything but attractive, having been ravaged by months of hospitalization and medication. She does not cry, nor does she look desperate or angry. Most people would be devastated, some may have even run away, but not her. She lovingly cares for him and she patiently waits for his recovery, or for whatever outcome. Her faithful commitment to remain beside the man she chose to marry, even under such strenuous circumstances, is a vivid example that LOVE IS PATIENT.