Friday, November 17, 2017
It's lightly snowing out. Sitting in the living room with the lights out and watching the large flakes softly falling past the street lamp outside reminds me of Christmas, and my wife.
My wife was a saint; a real life Cinderella really. She didn't talk much about her growing-up but over 4+ decades, I was able to piece together a pretty good picture of how she was treated during her youth; as a family slave more or less.
Did it hurt her? No, she grew up to be the most easy to get along with person I've ever known. She was the most joyful, fun, considerate, caring, patient, understanding, and loving person ever. We were happily married for over 40 years and never had a good fight, because her tolerance level was out of this world. That statement may be taken literally because she/we committed our lives to the Lord in 1981 after just 5 years of being together, and ever since then the fruits of Christ's spirit have shown brightly in her. That was right at Christmas time and we've enjoyed many wonderful Christmases since then with our 3 treasured children, our 4 adorable grandchildren, and all of our extended family and friends.
Last Christmas was different though. Last Christmas we were sitting, just the two of us, in the large reception area of the MaCaig Tower at the Foothills hospital in Calgary. It was evening, the lights were dimmed and the place was empty except for a lady playing beautifully on the grand piano by the fireplace in the lounging area. She was playing Have Yourself a Merry Christmas. We sat down. We could see the light fluffy flakes of snow gently falling past the outside lights; just like tonight. As we sat there silently trying to come to terms with the news we just received, a spirit of sadness overwhelmed us both and we started crying, together. The doctors have tried every traditional option but the cancer had started growing again.
Long story short, the beautiful lady that never drank, smoked, took drugs; never even had more than a few short-term prescriptions in her life, was suddenly faced with taking 43+ pills and numerous injections every day. But the pain and nausea still persisted 24/7. The drugs made her hallucinate at times, and daytime nightmares became common place. It was difficult to swallow. Eating was out of the question. She suffered.
But that's done; she's with her Lord now. The pain and suffering are gone forever.
Another month and a bit and I'll be facing Christmas, without her.
