It was back in the day of simpler times. She was young -- very young in fact. He was older -- not that much, but enough that they were able to be married and begin married life -- together. Blessed with twelve children, the road of their life had many twists and turns, but, whatever came, they met it -- together.
Dating their grandson, he and I took a trip. A trip back to the state of Michigan to meet his grandma and grandpa Dubbeld. By this time, Grandpa had undergone surgery for cancer in his throat and he talked through a little machine -- but they had weathered this storm -- together. Learning to understand him was difficult for me -- but Grandma could. The smiles they shared back and forth -- the easy going chuckles -- these were some of the very first evidences I saw of a deep and lasting love.
Grandma had a specialty from her many house in the kitchen -- homemade bread. Grandpa AND the family benefited from this dough mixed with love. We enjoyed it -- TOGETHER.
The read the Bible every day -- taking turns reading -- together. They loved to play Scrabble -- together. In the early retirement years, they took many "breakfast dates" right to the Golden Arches -- together.
The years went by, and every time we visited them we saw their deep commitment to the Lord and to each other. They changed, they got older, but the glimmer in their eyes for one another never faded. They were always -- together.
Grandma liked any kind of flower, but Grandpa had a favorite. Grandpa especially liked yellow roses. They had some in their nicely kept yard at the house beside the railroad tracks. He enjoyed them immensely as they sat on their porch -- simply being together -- watching the trains go by.
Then the "golden years" began to fade, and nursing home days came calling. Now they were both in the same nursing home -- same room -- together. Grandma became bedridden, but Grandpa's love was deep. He would get out of his bed, into his wheelchair, sit beside her bed and hold her hand all day if possible -- they were together.
From the nursing home bed, Grandma secretly called in one of her daughters. She had a request -- not for herself, but for the man she still loved so deeply. See, it was the time of year for yellow roses. Would her daughter please go to their yard and bring some in -- for Grandpa?
Her "love of a lifetime" was still her lifetime love!
Her selfless act of love from the bed of a nursing home inspires my heart today. They both knew the secret of a love that lasts. True love is commitment -- pass it on!
Take it with You
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it alway protects, always trusts, always hopes, always persevered. Love never fails. . ." I Corinthians 13; 4-8a