PURE HEART

I spoke with "Charlie" today to introduce myself and to describe our Social Work support for hospice patients and families. Charlie and "Katie" have been married almost sixty-four years. They have two children who live nearby and are very involved and supportive.

Moments after I said hello, Charlie's humor lovingly jumped into our conversation. Charlie had me laughing from the start. He has such a dry humor that one could not help but immediately laugh. He shared so many stories about he and his wife's life using humor all the while.

His humor helps him cope while he is trying to come to terms with his wife's terminal illness. His humor blends so beautifully with his pure love for his wife. One knows he has used that same dry humor his entire life. He was a joy to talk to as he so cared for his wife. She has dementia and he slowly is losing her day by day. Her confusion and forgetfulness makes him love her even more. He so cherishes their time together.

Love and humor works so well together. Charlie is the master of blending the two together in the most beautiful and wonderful way. I would love for our paths to cross again in the near future. I have a smile while I am typing this as just thinking of Charlie melts my heart. He is what life is all about.


PURE HEART

They've been married over sixty years.
It was true love from the start.
She's been sick for such a long time,
with his pure heart never far away.

She's been declining these recent months;
becoming fatigued and more frail.
He's hired a caregiver five days a week
helping him to manage it all.

Shortly after I said "Hello"
his dry humor triggered into gear.
He is realistic about her poor prognosis,
but he will never let it get him down.

With a lighthearted giggle he shared,
"I was in the Army during the Korean War.
You must always respect me though,
as I was a Corporal while I served."

His big heart mixed with humor
radiates his love and his joy for her.
She is so forgetful and often confused,
but he so loves her all the more.

"We met because of music.
We will say goodbye with music as well.
Each night we have our concerts
playing an hour of classical side by side."

When I asked him about final arrangements,
his humor was so naturally there.
"I told her she had to die on a Tuesday
          so we can get the Senior discount."

His heart is breaking;
that is something he cannot hide.
He uses dry humor to help him cope,
but it never will hide his beautiful;
          his remarkable
                   pure heart.