INSPIRASUNS

A few months ago, I wrote about a couple that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for the last few years. They are members of a wonderful 65-and-over golf group that I work with in planning their events. Twice a year, this group gets together and, yes, enjoys golf, however they enjoy much more than that. Many have been part of this group for well over 20 years. They have become very close friends. They care for each other, and when the time comes that they can no longer golf, well, many continue to come to the events just to be with dear friends.

A few months ago, I shared that John and Karen have been together for a very long time. I don’t know the exact number of years, but I’m pretty certain it’s more than 60. Karen has dementia. Yes, it is a horrible and sad disease. However, it has not made John stop helping Karen live a full life. Even though Karen now lives in a memory care facility, John takes her out regularly for lunch and dinners, and recently for overnight stays in their favorite RV park. A park that is not very far from where we live.

Last night we had the pleasure of getting together with John and Karen to see their lovely RV and have dinner. I wasn’t sure if she would remember me, and I’m not sure she actually did, but that was ok. She was in such a good place. She talked more than I had ever heard her speak, and she was so pleasant. She shared that they loved their little home and how nice the community was; they were all so helpful to them. I saw deep inside how Karen was before stricken with this disease.

We got a tour of their place and headed for pizza at a local and notable pizza place. We laughed, shared stories, and learned more about their lives together. I watched as John would smile at Karen and remind her of places they lived and special times they had, and she would acknowledge and agree each time. You could see deep inside, she recalled those times.

We enjoyed our pizza, all agreeing, including Karen, that it was good. Ya, there wasn’t any left 🙂 . After a few more stories and laughs, it was time to end this enjoyable evening. It was bittersweet in many ways. I was so glad to see Karen again, and to see her so “with it” you could say, and I was sad to leave, not quite sure if I would see her like this again.

John helped Karen out the door the same way he had throughout our visit, holding her hand to guide every step. The deep and visible love between the two of them, well, it was inspiring. A love so deep that even dementia couldn’t break it. That, my friends, is the love that Father intends for His children, the same love that He has for His children.

I thank the Lord for the gift of this special couple, and I pray that their days, for however many they have together, will continue to be blessed with the unending love they share.

Have a good day, friends 🙂 .

1 Corinthians 13:13
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.