forever and always

and she said
I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether happy or sad or whatever
We'll still love each other, forever and always

i have encountered many old patients in my course of work.
some of them come alone, most of them with their children.
occasionally they're with their equally frail other half.

seeing these old couples, really gives me this unexplainable surge of emotions.

i watch them holding each other's wrinkled hands,
guiding the other carefully out of the door.

i remember the uncle who brushed his daughter aside.
he insisted on pushing his wheelchair-bound wife personally into the room.
he then took a seat nearby because his legs are not that strong either.

i recall the white haired aunty reassuring her husband that it was going to be painless.
holding his hand tight as he watched the needle with fear.

and just today, i witnessed how a smile brightened an old man's face,
when i led his wife out after her ECG.
seriously, the moment he saw her he smiled super happily. and toothlessly.

from my own paternal grandparents, i also learnt lessons.

no matter how much ahma niam at ahgong, sometimes for no good reasons,
ahgong also took it good naturedly, never raising his voice.
even when he was frustrated, he chose to keep quiet instead of saying hurtful words.

when ahgong was sick, ahma took care of him unconditionally.
his mess, his food, his medication, everything she took care of.
even when she was emotionally and physically tired,
she tolerated and took care of him the best she could.

the heartbreaking fact is when one of them has to leave first.
the pain and loss she felt is incomparable.
when what was a whole became only half..

when we're young and naive teens, we search and crave for love.
without understanding what it really is.

elderly couples are the living testimonial that love is not about romance or flowers or gifts.
all those are just superficial.
it cannot be bought, only felt through sincere actions.
the kind of love which will last for decades.
living with the same person, watching him/her grow old.
tolerating each other's negatives and appreciating the positives.
it teaches patience, forbearance and forgiveness.

for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.

forever and always.