Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/26/04 7:18:04 AM Eastern Standard Time,

pghand@... writes:

<< Henning around. Just some chicks leaving the nest for a while, in

search

of nothing special. And finding it. Special. >>

I need to do this!!!!!

Hugs,

Sue

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/26/04 7:18:04 AM Eastern Standard Time,

pghand@... writes:

<< Henning around. Just some chicks leaving the nest for a while, in

search

of nothing special. And finding it. Special. >>

I need to do this!!!!!

Hugs,

Sue

[Guest guest]

Forever in Their Eyes

By B. Gibbs

Early one morning, I witnessed romance at one of the least-expected

places

in the world - a long-term care facility. At the time, my father shared a

room

with three other gentlemen. While it wasn't an ideal situation, it was the

best

the administrator could do at the time.

A few days before this particular visit, an elderly couple was admitted

to

the facility. Since there wasn't a double room available, they were forced

to

separate the couple. The gentleman, Mr. West (name has been changed) was

placed

in the bed beside Daddy. His wife, Mrs. West, shared a room with several

other

ladies down the hall.

When I went to see Daddy that morning, I met Mr. West. Three employees

were working with him. He hadn't eaten a bite of food since he was admitted

several days earlier. I could tell by the expression on the nurses' faces

that

they were worried about him. While one nurse was trying to get him to open

his

mouth with spoonfuls of gelatin, another nurse was trying to coax him to

drink a

health shake from a straw. The third nurse was standing nearby with a cup

of

water. Mr. West refused to open his mouth for any of them.

" Let's try this, " one of the nurses said. She pulled out a lollipop,

tore

off the paper and offered it to Mr. West. His lips were clamped together

tightly. He refused to listen to reason. Finally, he uttered something

about

his sweetheart, who was resting down the hall.

" Go get Mrs. West, " the nurse instructed her helper, while handing her

the

lollipop. " Maybe Mr. West will eat for her. "

In a few minutes a kind-looking lady was wheeled into the room. She

held

the lollipop in her hand. Her smile was contagious and Mr. West smiled

brightly. I felt as though I was intruding on a private moment, but I

couldn't

take my eyes off the couple. The love between them was obvious, as Mrs.

West

patted Mr. West's hand and then caressed his forehead.

With a soft voice, Mrs. West convinced Mr. West to eat. To everyone's

surprise Mr. West opened his mouth and began to enjoy the lollipop and his

wife's company. While the nurses fed him, he stared at his sweetheart with

a

smile on his face. Mrs. West began humming a tune to him. The expression

on

his once solemn face became even brighter.

Tears filled my eyes. The nurse then pulled the curtain around the

couple

to give them some quality time alone to visit. I discovered that romance

doesn't only exist when we're young and in love. Romance lasts a lifetime

and

grows stronger with age. Before long I heard snores of contentment coming

from

the bed beside me.

Today, Mr. and Mrs. West reside together in a place where there are no

limitations, nursing homes or wheelchairs. There are no tears in their eyes

or

rooms dividing them. I am convinced that the West marriage went well beyond

" till death us do part " and will last throughout eternity. Not only did I

witness a memorable romance that day, I saw a glimpse of forever in a loving

couple's tired and worn-out eyes.