«Oftentimes, it’s the young and the beautiful who embody love stories, whether on the big screen, in the pages of a romantic novel, or online, where we’re all fascinated by the latest celebrity romances.
But an elderly couple has become a source of inspiration for one woman to showcase the true meaning of love and romance.
Emily Hime shared the last months of her grandmother’s life, a heartbreaking period but also a time when she felt «blessed to witness something beautiful»: the unconditional love between her grandparents.
Emily told Love What Matters that her family had always teased her grandfather, telling him he would never survive without her grandmother because she did everything for him. However, in the last months of his life, the roles were reversed.
«Through all of this, I realized that the most romantic love story is not that of Romeo and Juliet… It’s the story of grandma and grandpa growing old together.»
«It’s grandpa who stood by grandma during the toughest period of her life. He’s the one who teaches her to prepare meals, do laundry, and cook while she undergoes six rounds of chemotherapy.»
«It’s grandpa who held her hand, attended every doctor’s appointment, and didn’t leave the house unless someone took his place because he didn’t want her to sit alone, not even for a few minutes.»
Emily said that hospital staff constantly commented on his devotion to her and how everyone loved seeing them together.
«He stayed by his wife’s side every day while she was in the hospital and then during palliative care. He held her hand whenever he could and kissed her forehead, cherishing every moment they had together,» Emily recalled.
The loving granddaughter noticed that her grandfather’s eyes filled with tears every time he thought his wife might be uncomfortable or in pain.
Her grandmother also suffered several strokes, and her body weakened, but he told her every day how beautiful she was.
«‘Goodnight my love,'»
«They had that kind of eternal love, the love we all aspire to. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary next month, and yet, 60 years would still not have been enough,» Emily wrote.
«‘Oh, you’re so precious, goodnight, darling,’ were the last words he addressed to her.»
Emily said her grandparents met at a cycling club in England when they were 20, but during that time, they participated together in «the most important race.»
«They won the biggest race of all, a life filled with love together. And what a blessing it has been to witness this beautiful love story and capture one of their precious final moments together.»
«I’m so glad Emily shared this beautiful story that truly shows us the meaning of love. Thank you for sharing,» as mentioned in Chatham-Kent Hospice’s Valentine’s Day post.
