......Priceless!

He knew he was dying. Every bone and muscle and tissue in his body hurt. He hurt when he walked and when he sat still. He struggled through each and every minute, laboring to breathe, the oxygen tank and canula his ever present companions. He hadn't been able to sleep for many days, the increasing pain keeping his exhausted body from resting. He knew he was not long for this world. He knew it was just a matter of days before he would leave his young wife and their two sons. But oh, how he wanted to stay.! He remembered he had come this close---even closer, several times before, but this time, it was different. He knew this time, it really would be good-bye.
But, tomorrow was a special day. No, it wasn't the day the hospice nurse came-- that was Thursday. And it wasn't the day the doctor would try to hospitalize him again. (That time was soon coming) And it wasn't the day they would up his morphine, although that would perhaps allow him to get the rest his weakened body now craved. No, tomorrow was not the day for those things.
He knew he must make plans. He knew this time--this one last time, it had to be really special. He would have to call in some favors. He made the first call to friends, telling them he needed their help if he were to pull this off. He had to rest between calls, lying back in his chair, gasping and sucking the oxygen into his dying, air starved lungs. The second call was to a restaurant. He asked for a table in the back, in a darkened corner, someplace where an oxygen tank would be out of the way and not too noticeable. They assured him everything would be ready for tomorrow. He leaned back in the recliner and smiled. Yes, tomorrow would be a special day.
The next morning, he sent her on an errand so he could share his plans with his sons, gaining their conspiracy and eliciting from them a promise of silence. Together they began to put the plan in place. He smiled as she looked almost relieved when the boys told her they had both been invited to a friend's house for dinner that night. They were supposed to go early to jump on the trampoline and play video games. Smiling slyly, the boys kissed their parents good by and off they went for an evening of fun and friends. After they left, she asked if he needed anything---he didn't. She plopped down on the couch, laid her head back and closed her eyes. Sadly he thought how much his illness had aged her. It was difficult to see her so young and so worried, so tired. She caught him watching her and immediatley jumped up with an offer to get him something. He said what he really wanted was to go for a ride. She looked surprised but could tell it was something he had his heart set on. She busied herself making all the preparations it now took to take him places. To be honest, he really didn't feel like going anywhere, but earlier he had taken extra medications so that he could carry out this plan. She helped him to the car, stowed the chair and the oxygen tank. (He wished his insurance had paid for one of those little portables). She asked where he wanted to go and he said, "Just drive". They drove around for awhile and he asked her to pull into the local steakhouse. She looked confused and worried. He smiled and said he had been planning this for two days and he really wanted to take her out to dinner to celebrate. She helped him into the restaurant where he gave his name and the waitress escorted them to their table. It took everything he had to make it to their table, back in the darkened corner with enough room to stash the oxygen tank where no one could see, just as he had requested. His bride smiled and began to cry when she saw the roses and the candles. She was surprised, touched, and confused. How had he done this?
His pain was almost unbearable as they ordered their food. His hands shaking, he willed himself to make it through the meal. After all, it was a celebration. The food came and with tears in his eyes, he asked for her understanding. In spite of extra medications, the pain was just too much and would she be upset if they took the meal to go and ate at home? They quickly had the waitress box up the food. She helped get them to the car, roses, food and all. By the time they reached the house, he was unable to help her get him out of the car. They were fortunate that a neighbor, who often helped them, was available. Together the two of them got him into the house and helped him into the recliner. His wife sat with him and held his hand. He could not get enough air to tell her that he loved her and how sorry he was he had not been able to give her this special night. But she didn't need to hear the words. After seventeen years of marriage, she understood the sentiments conveyed by his eyes and tears. And they wept together.
Ten days later, he would be gone, leaving her to raise two boys. The next ten days would be very difficult, days they would try so desperately to forget. But after twelve years, the pain and anguish, the desperation and the heartbreak would all be less memorable. Oh, but that night, that special night would never be forgotten. Although he did not feel like it, although it took everything he had and more besides, although it did not quite go as he'd planned, she would never forget their seventeenth wedding anniversary. The steak dinner--$22.00, the roses--$35.00, sacrificial love---priceless!


Neva

I try to make a spiritual analogy to everyday things in my life. I don't think I need to with this one--I will leave it up to each of you--
peace
n