In an ocean of people who are in hospital nursing their physical wounds in isolation, there are times when I meet patients who are lucky enough to have a robust support system, usually in the form of a loyal spouse or partner. Today for instance, I was reviewing a female patient in her early 80s. She came in with cough and feeling low in energy. When I approached her cubicle, she was sitting on the side of her bed, a man who I assume was her husband was also present, accompanying her. She was a little hard of hearing so whenever I said something too softly, her husband would repeat it back to her in a louder, slower voice. "SHE SAID DO YOU HAVE ANY TUMMY PAIN?" I had to really control myself from giggling, because the dynamics were too cute.
"Do you live together?" I said, pointing at him.
"Yes," she said, "We have been living together for 57 years now."
They both looked at each other, telepathically saying to one another "Has it really been that long?".
"Wow! That is the dream, isn't it?" I responded, "What is your secret?"
She paused a moment and looked at him. With a large smirk on her face, she turned to me and said, "Its important to have a sense of humour, thats for sure!"
She was well enough to go home today. And as she walked out of the room, her husband held the door for her. "Steady now. Walk slowly, I got you." Just then, my heart leapt out of my chest, fell on the floor and grew 10 times bigger. Honestly, that is the dream - growing old together.
Sure right now, in our youth, A and I are able to go running side by side. But what a true blessing it would be to experience life together through the decades. From the honeymoon days to inshaAllah starting a family one day. Through moving houses and countries, through health and illnesses. Through changing jobs and physical appearances. Even up to the days when our legs would be to weak to hold up our own weight. What an honour it would be to become each others' walking aid. I realise that this is a blessing not gifted to many. Life is full of unexpected tragedies and sometimes, loss. But a girl do can dream, hope and pray.
Probably I am being a bit sentimental because A is coming home tomorrow, inshaAllah. I have butterflies in my stomach, I am so giddy and excited. It feels like being a teenager again. I wonder whether this type of youthful energy would still be around after say, 50 years of marriage? Being apart for long periods of time has been difficult but seeing those two love birds in hospital today gave me great hope. I am sure they had their own share of hardships and tests, but they persevered. Despite what they went through, they must have woken up everyday in those 57 years, perhaps to the familiar sounds of each others' snoring, and chose to love one another. Through hardship and ease. And to me, that is true #relationshipgoals.
*Details have been altered to preserve patient confidentiality
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