“My beautiful wife…”

My neighbor called me today, tears choking his voice. "My beautiful wife…" he said to me, "…is being taken back to The Hospital. She’s not doing well." He proceeded to tell me that she was no longer stable, and her white cell count was virtually zero. She was no longer fully aware of what was happening around her.

When I first met his wife (almost 15 years ago), she was still very active – an avid gardener, raising her collies with great love and care, and volunteering countless hours to the local fire department auxillary. Always ready with interesting conversation, her eyes would sparkle above smooth, high cheekbones, and her smile would slip out constantly. She served her country with honor (as did her husband) for many years, chronicling people and events as a journalist, and loved to tell stories of her time in the military.

The past several years have been hard on her – she has waged a long and often painful battle with cancer. This last time has been particularly harsh for her endure, leaving her slight frame showing the ravaging signs of multiple surgeries.

And yet, he still calls her, "my beautiful wife".

Love is seeing another for who they truly are in spirit.

God bless my neighbors, please.

Canary