Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Till death do us part....

How would you feel if for the past 50 years, the person with whom you’ve been married to were to die of cancer or any other disease? It is certainly a difficult question for me to answer. After visiting my grandfather’s sister-in-law last weekend, this question kept nagging at me, since her husband had just passed away 4 months ago of cancer. She didn’t look too well, at all, which is understandable, but it indicated to me at how intertwined their lives had become. They were doctors and had practiced medicine at their own clinic. It’s almost like a symbiosis of two beings wherein once one dies, the other soon follows. Now living as a widower with her children, I can’t help, but wonder at how much she must miss him. She has a picture of him in the living room with a glass vase of a dozen roses. It also seemed that she didn’t move any of her husband’s stuff out. This whole experience made me think about what it would feel like to suddenly be alone! I know that you must face reality, but when faced with that situation, all rationality seems to go out the door and emotions kick in.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that's a really scary prospect...I'm used to being alone but it took me a while to get used to it after 18months living with someone so I dread to think how awful and difficult it is in this situation.

Debra@Peaceabull said...

I know what you mean. My grandparents were married for over 50 years. My grandfather died in November and my grabdmother passed away just a few months later. She actally died 2 days before their wedding anniversary. My aunt swore it was because Grandma didn't want to spend an anniversary without Grandpa.

Bill said...

Lives do become intertwined. I know I was really worried about my Mom after my Dad passed, fortunately she met someone and they've been happy for quite a while now.... I don't know how folks are able to get on after a loss like that... I'm inspired though, everytime I see those that do!