Two days before she died – the end approaching following her long, long battle with cancer – I was reading to her from our favorite author who wrote a fictional, whimsical series of romance novels we’d come across early in our marriage, some 50 years before.
She was asleep, I think, so I gently lifted her hand and placed it over mine.
It was W. Somerset Maugham who bemoaned, of humanity in general that “life slipped through their fingers unlived.”
We lived life, my wife and me.
A life unlived is like a house unfurnished, but our house was certainly furnished. Four children and 10 grandchildren occupied much of the furnishings, the Thanksgiving table ever expanding; the presents beneath the Christmas tree spilling far beyond the lowest branches; birthdays and any day of no special occasion at all were invariably characterized by chaos, the kind of chaos that engenders laughter, raucous chaotic laughter bouncing off the walls.
A life unlived is a life without taking time for reflection. And now that she’s gone, that’s what I have time for. Among her flowers, alone at my desk, I seem to have far more time than ever before to consider how very blessed I’ve been.
It’s my most important hour of the day.
David. You and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers. Having battled cancer for the last 13 years I know my pain but I also saw my husband and children see me suffer and I saw their pain. Life sometimes i believe is so unfair but it’s what God wants and when he wants it , and of course The almighty Father knows best . Stay strong and stay positive , your beautiful wife is at peace and watching down on all of you . Blessed evening my dear friend 🙏🙏🙏🙏💔💔💔💔
A beautiful tribute, thanks for sharing!
David many of us share your pain through experience but are not able to express it as beautifully and soulfully as you do. Memories are indeed what carry us through the toughest months and years afterward.
And Maria Costa you have said expressed a truth many refuse to acknowledge, that being that God wills it for His reasons not necessarily ours. We can only trust in Him.
Peace to you both.
Amen, to all of you and thank-you, David for showing us that if we allow ourselves to feel that unbearable pain and give it to the only One that is able to carry it, He will be our strength to go on. You do not know me, but I know of you because of the Sub. Times. I was at the same cancer clinic as you and your dear wife a few years ago and was so blessed to watch your care for her-you were both great witnesses for your faith. Thanks to this paper for allowing your readers to share through your pages.