In today's culture, divorce rates are sky-high. Dating seems to becoming more and more a thing to simply fill in the gaps for a short while, until it's no longer convenient or new and exciting. The words "I Love You" are overused and undervalued.
I believe our culture has accustomed us to believe that love comes and goes with our emotions. That it's subjective. I'd begun to lose hope throughout the years of the possibility of someday finding that Happily Ever After, Till Death do us Part, kind of love.
However, my hope was reset when i was working at the nursing home: There is a lady in her upper 80s who recently moved in to our nursing home. She is a very pleasant woman and is with it mentally, but her body is failing her. She fatigues very easily. (I will call her Mae) The nurse told us that Mae's husband wanted her to lay down. My coworker and I went to find her so that we could help her lay down. Her husband was visiting with her. (I will call him Eddy) Eddy gets around on a motorized scooter. He still lives at their home, but comes in every day to visit his Mae. Mae, in her wheelchair, was facing Eddy in his scooter. Eddy had Mae's hand in his and was speaking softly to her when we approached them.
He looked up from Mae when we asked him if he'd like us to lay her down. "I think that'd be a great idea."--was his response. I put my hands on Mae's wheelchair to bring her towards her room. Eddy looked up at my coworker and I and said, "you girls take good care of my Mae. I just love her so much." We assured him we would take good care of her. My coworker asked Eddy if he'd like to kiss Mae goodbye. He said, "well I almost forgot the most important part!" he drove his scooter nearer to the side of Mae's wheelchair. They both leaned in and he gave her a sweet, long kiss. Mae smiled and said "see you next time dear." Eddy told her he'd be back the next day and began to drive away. Mae called after him in her weak voice, "Goodbye Babe!" Eddy stopped his scooter, looked at his wife, and said, "I love you Mae."
This example of life-long love gave me so much peace and hope! I think this could be a great example for our world to see. Our culture may be advertising a temporary, superficial love, but that isn't the only option. I know life wasn't always easy for Eddy and Mae, but their "happily ever after, till death do us part" love carried them through. This is the type of love that is worth giving away your heart for and being vulnerable for.
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