Beautiful Encounters (myspace)

Last week I saw a couple that made me stop and think. I was sitting in a waiting room, waiting to have some blood taken, and I noticed a couple several seats over from me waiting. Neither could have been much older than me. I could tell they hadn't been married very long, their rings still had that bright, unscratched glint to them, and she played with hers as she sat with her eyes closed, resting. He had a backpack, and had her tote bag as well, full of things to make her comfortable. It was obvious she was going through chemo from the warm hat covering her bald head and the tiredness in her eyes. Yet, he was concerned about making her comfortable. About her needs. When her name was called, he fell asleep in the chair, a look of peace on his face. It was clear he hadn't been sleeping well. Yet he would not rest when she was by his side, he wanted to be awake, to make her smile.
As I sat there, I couldn't help but smile. It was clear life had dealt them a tough hand, but he had chosen to stay by her side no matter what the outcome would be. I couldn't help but wonder what that must be like, to love someone that completely that even if they only had a few months left, you would never leave their side. Never protect yourself from the pain and agony that might be waiting just around the corner, but instead, simply fall more and more in love with each passing moment.