It’s often the young and beautiful who embody love stories, be it on the big screen, in the pages of a romance novel, or online, where we are all fascinated by the latest celebrity romances.
But an elderly couple has become the inspiration for a woman to show the true meaning of love and romance.
Emily Hime shared the last months of her grandmother’s life, a heartbreaking time but also a moment when she felt ‘blessed to witness something beautiful’ – the unconditional love between her grandparents.
Emily told Love What Matters that her family had always teased her grandfather, telling him he wouldn’t survive without grandma because she did everything for him. However, in the last months of his life, the roles reversed.
“Through all of this, I realized that the most romantic love story isn’t Romeo and Juliet… It’s Grandma and Grandpa growing old together.
It’s Grandpa standing by Grandma through the toughest time of her life. It’s him teaching her how to prepare meals, do the laundry, and cook for her as she underwent 6 rounds of chemotherapy.
It’s Grandpa holding her hand, attending every doctor’s appointment, and not leaving the house unless someone took his place because he didn’t want her sitting alone, even for a few minutes.”
Emily stated that hospital staff constantly commented on his devotion to her and how everyone loved to see them together. He stayed by his wife’s side every day while she was in the hospital and then during palliative care. He held her hand whenever he could and kissed her on the forehead, making the most of every moment they had left together, Emily recalled.
The caring granddaughter noticed that her grandfather’s eyes filled with tears every time he thought his wife might be uncomfortable or suffering.
Her grandmother also endured several strokes, and her body weakened, but he told her every day how beautiful she was.
“Goodnight, my darling.”
“They had that kind of eternal love, the love we all aspire to. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary next month, and yet, 60 years still wouldn’t have been enough,” wrote Emily.
“‘Oh, you are so precious, goodnight, my darling,’ were the last words he spoke to her.”
Emily stated that her grandparents met at a cycling club in England at the age of 20, but during this time, they participated in “the most important race together.”
“They won the greatest race of all, a life full of love together. And what a blessing it has been to witness this beautiful love story and to capture one of their precious last moments together.”
A special message of love, written by one of our Hospice families, on Valentine’s Day.
Posted by Chatham-Kent Hospice on Monday, February 14, 2022
I’m glad that Emily shared this beautiful story that truly illustrates the meaning of love. Thank you for sharing.
