Last week Chris and I watched a DVD that someone had given to me in Brisbane in April. It’s called What is Love?
60 Minutes covered the inspiring story of the life of Bill and Glad Forward who served as missionaries in Belgaum, India many years ago. This year, they celebrate their 50th anniversary. It made me cry! It tells the story of Bill and Glad, how they met more than 50 years ago, and the daily battle with Glad’s advance stages of Alzheimer’s. In the video, Bill tells of how he has to do everything for his wife, from the time she gets up until when they go to bed – from brushing her teeth to dressing and feeding her. “I don’t count it a burden whatsoever,” he says. “I count it a great privilege to care for this one I have loved all these years.”
He claims he’s not a hero, just a ‘promise keeper.’ Both Chris and I were deeply moved by his joy and devotion, so evident as he stroked her face and called her ‘his princess.’
So if you’re up for it, watch this inspiring video about their love story.
I was probably especially moved by the movie because I have been scanning lots of old photos of my own parents’ life together. They are approaching their 70th wedding anniversary in July and I’m making a power point for the family to see. Seventy years together! It’s hard to imagine. What an inspiration they are to me! Dad is caring so tenderly for Mum, fulfilling the vows he made nearly 70 years ago.
Mum and Dad on their 60th wedding anniversary
I also thought of Dad’s brother who is also caring so lovingly for his wife. Auntie Jennifer has multiple sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair. Uncle Murray wrote a beautiful letter to Challenge Weekly and shared something of their journey, as a Christian response to euthanasia. It’s worth reading! I can’t find it on the web at the moment but I’ll paste it here for those of you who may want to read it. Hopefully you can zoom in and read it!
These wonderful examples make me think of my own marriage vows. I promised to love, cherish, honour and obey Chris in sickness and in health, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer…and watching Mum and Dad, and Uncle Murray and Auntie Jennifer, and Bill and Glad Forward I realise that ‘sickness’ and ‘worse’ is never going to be easy.
How wonderful to know that love ‘endures all things’. (1 Corinthians 13)
Rosie ~ 25 June 2013