Doesn't contemporary thought devalue an elderly, dependent spouse? Aren't we being told to ration her health care because she's going to cost society more and more as she contributes less and less? Isn't she more of a burden than anything else?
Yeah, well tell that kind of nonsense to this loving husband, for whom the romance never stopped. Not when things got difficult, not when they got much worse and stayed that way, not when he finally had to face losing her. He loved her. He loves her still. And he valued every moment of her life, even when she no longer recognized him.
That's romance.
A very interesting story came to my attention through my Facebook page. This man I'll call "Bill" shared about lifelong health issues that had caused him enormous suffering. When I expressed my sympathies, he wrote this, which I share with permission:
...when you've gone through some of the struggles I have with self esteem and physical insecurities due to a condition like mine, especially during the teen years and early twenties, you learn to appreciate many of the things others may take for granted. The soft gentle touch of your wife's hand resting on yours while you're driving, the warmth of her embrace when you get home on a cold winter's day, her cute little giggle over something silly you said...things like this that may seem mundane to some people, but even these little things have such special meaning for me and they are the greatest miracles in my life.
It's funny that the two most romantic stories I've heard in a long time involve so much suffering. But, then, look at the cross. Sacrifice is where true love begins. And, as with everything else in our lives, the key to everything is always, always love.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains an extraordinary and comprehensive section on human sexuality. It makes for great reading.
Remember, sexy is holy. May God bless your love for each other!
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