"I LOVE YOU"

Seventy year old “Larry” was admitted to hospice after a one week diagnosis of lung cancer. Once the cancer was discovered, it had advanced to the point that there was no treatment for him. Larry took things in stride and accepted his fate without complaint or fears.

Larry and his wife, “Christine” were retired from the medical field and both had a good understanding of Larry’s diagnosis. Larry and Christine were married sixteen years. Christine had been divorced and had raised her three children alone. Christine’s children loved Larry as they all knew how happy he made their mother.

Larry struggled with speaking as for over eighteen months he had constant hiccups. The doctors tried so many treatments; all without success. When Larry spoke, he was direct and to the point. Larry’s biggest worry was how Christine would manage after he was gone. Each night the two of them would talk about tasks that he wanted to make sure she knew how to do. For example; the backyard sprinkler system or how to get the cars serviced etc.

Christine would constantly talk about how special Larry was to her. She would brag how he exposed her to museums, Native American Art, small town Americana. Many of their vacations were car trips all over the United States. She shared that Larry was, “The love of my life.” She was always telling him how much she loved him. One could feel the love between the two of them when you walked into their home.

Larry died suddenly yesterday after being on hospice for four months. Two days before Larry died, he turned to Christine and said, “I love you” for the first time. She was moved by his tender words, even though she never doubted she was loved by him. Her final words to Larry as he lay dying was, “I love you.” He weakly replied, “Me too.” And then he was gone. The last moment together so tender, so loving. It doesn’t get any better than that.


“I LOVE YOU”

　
They met later in life.
It was an instant connection.
After sixteen years together,
she knows how special he was.

She was demonstrative;
he, a practical man.
She would fuss all over him.
His priority was to take care of her.

She told him constantly, “I love you”.
His typical response always, “Me too.”
He showed his love by his actions;
she; by her tender words.

Two days before he died,
for the first time she heard,
“I love you,” coming from his lips.
Affectionate words from his gentle heart.

She sat by the bedside as he lay dying.
One final “I love you” to send him off.
His reply was what she has cherished all along;
what always made her heart flutter.

Two final words driven
by his deep love for her,
        “Me too.”