You Don’t Have To Settle For Second Best!

The wedding vows we take have undergone significant editions through the years. The traditional ones still hold true to the values enshrined in them. One part reads – ‘in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, forsaking all, I pledge my love to you till death us do part.’

It might sound like a fairy tale to many people today, but isn’t fairy tales something that young lovers wish for? Life has its twists and turns and is never an easy road. But that is not to say that life is not without rewards.

Here is a testimony to prove what the title says:

When Covid hit and vaccination was the major road-marker, many people reluctantly took it. However, as the time went on people with preexisting medical conditions developed complication and went to their grave. Two years down the tract, even more people are dying, some very prematurely. No speculation, just observation – you decide for yourself.

We are a mature couple, just passed retirement age, relatively strong and fit. In the past year my husband’s health took a nosedive. He would fall all the time for no apparent reason. He is a tall man and physically strong. But he couldn’t figure out these falls and the memory was compromised. Thankfully he didn’t break any bones.

Next came the flu, which he couldn’t shake off. He doesn’t drink or smoke but his lung function was severely compromised. Then the breathing and heart issues followed. Soon, from having a husband, I was having a patient to nurse. Hospital visits and stays became more frequent. But his condition only grew worse and the ambulance became a familiar sight in the street. Sometimes it looked like we would not see another day.

The children and grandchildren held meetings and a help roster was made. The will was made and we all prepared for the inevitable. The quality of life diminished for us as a couple as the home looked more like a chemist dispensary.

The Christmas celebrations we enjoyed were replaced with memories of past Christmases. The new year came and we didn’t know what the new year was going to bring. Soon it was 24 hours care and surveillance and my passion for cooking a variety of delicious meals was replaced with healthy meal kits. Well, we sat together, ate slowly, checked that all meds were taken at the right time and rest time was peaceful and quiet. This meant all visitors and especially grandchildren had to be quiet when Pappa was resting or napping. No more fun pounding on the piano with him.

We had to decline many social gatherings and life revolved around the medical places, food store and home. I needed someone to help when I had to attend church as by then Hubby was too sick to sit for so long. We got a few scares when he stopped breathing and I had to do CPR. But he made it to see the light of another day. We both were tired and sometimes while eating dessert, we would just sit together and enjoy each other’s company. Often, no words were needed.

We had a full and exciting life and did the things we wanted to do. With all our children married and settled, it was just the two of us. Family and friends are very dear to our hearts and we are blessed to have many. When the falls were too many to remember and the breathing episodes were escalating, we prayed for God’s will to be done.

He was tired, frail and in pain. That morning, before the toilet routine, he said to me, “My whole body is in so much pain. I think I’m going home.” We lay together in bed pensively, each offering a silent prayer to God. We did the toilet routine and he was so weak. I said, “Breath Norm, breath.” He softly said, “I’m trying.” He took a small breath and that was his last!

In sickness and in health, in riches and poorness, we lived our lives together till death parted us. He is not by my side anymore and I have to get used to it. That’s the hardest thing, in my opinion. Your soulmate becomes part of your soul and when they die, a part of you dies too. But, I cling to that glorious day when we will meet again in heaven. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!

Take the test: Read the love chapter and put in your name wherever you see ‘love’ and words pertaining to it – 1 Corinthians 13:1-7  https://biblehub.com/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm

M. Moses + LPR

Courtesy: Unsplash Image