Several months have passed since Chick entered the
rehab, aka nursing home. Louise
continues to visit him diligently and dutifully, though Chick’s condition
continues to deteriorate and there are more bad days then good.
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Today, Chick was asleep for most of her visit, but that does not detour Louise from gently caressing his forehead and cupping his chin to
look into his face. Her furrowed brow
and tight lipped grimace, soften as Chick opens his eyes from time to
time. Louise eagerly tries to talk
with Chick but the moments are quickly gone with his silent return to sleep and
her face falls once again. Seldom looking
away from his face, Louise continues to wait for an opportunity to communicate
with her love.
In the months since Chick has been away, many celebrations
and occasions have been made new with the haunted memories of what once
was. Thanksgiving and Christmas came and
went without Chick at the table and the couple celebrated sixty-six years of
marriage. In the quiet of the empty house, Louise is
often brought back to memories of when the house was full of people and
happiness. When house guests were plenty
and the kitchen was always warm. Today,
the kitchen is littered with unopened mail and the sink holds one lone glass
and plate from Louise’s breakfast.
As Louise continues to wait for an opportunity to connect
with Chick, the clock ticks on and her visiting time comes to an end. “He doesn't look so good” she mutters seemingly
to herself as she straightens his blankets and fixes his hair, most likely
talking to the God she feels doesn't hear her right now. She often calls out in the night, asking what
she has done to deserve this, why does He want her to suffer. The night is filled with a thick
silence. “I will be back tomorrow, Chick” she says to
the still body that was once her restless, active husband. Chick does not move. Louise bends over and gives him a kiss good-bye
and as she stands to go, her face crumbles and her eyes well with tears. With
each step away, she stops and turns back in hopes that Chick has awaken and all
is well again. The departure is painful and it shows on her
face. “Chick is on his way out,” she
remarks and slowly, tearfully and torn she returns to the empty house that was
once their home.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4
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