He's seen her tears and heard her sobs. He watched her lay in bed, unable to get up. He saw her close the door on the world, wanting to hide inside of herself, but forcing her way through each day anyway. And he held her. Everyday. He held her until the pain went away, until she could breathe again, live again. But he never forgot. He couldn't forget what it was like to watch his vibrant wife wither away, barely able to care for the children, completely unable to care for herself.
Summer came and the energy came back and her lungs breathed deeply taking in the fresh air of newly cut grass and fragrant flowers. The sun shone brightly waking her up to joy. But he didn't forget. He watched her closely, her every move, for any sign of that dark mood that easily overtakes her spirit.
Autumn came, and he knew. He knew that her spirits would become as fragile as the leaves that shriveled on the trees and blew to the ground at the first strong wind. So he watched closely; he watched for the signs of despair. When he saw a book on the kitchen counter with the word "sadness" in the title, he immediately confronted her, asking her why she was reading that book, thinking that she was dwelling on despair, clinging to sadness, unaware that it was a fictional story that had nothing to do with her emotions. Relief filled his eyes with her explanation.
But she knows. She knows that wherever the seasons may take her, whether it's to the heights of joy or the depths of despair, he will always look out for her, always love her and always hold her until she can stand on her own once again. He is her stronghold sent from God and entwined through marriage, to care for her and to carry her when she becomes too weak to stand on her own.
There is a word missing from your Labels. It is "Love"
ReplyDeleteI had tears in my eyes when I read your post, Anne. I'm praying for you every day and will offer my Masses for you this week. I'm glad that you have such a loving husband at your side. Jesus is with you, too, my friend, and knows your suffering. May He and our Blessed Mother hold you close to their hearts and may they be your strength when you feel that you have no strength of your own left. A lot of people are praying for you and I placed you on the prayer list at 2 Shrines a few weeks ago. St. Dymphna and St. Anthony are powerful intercessors and I will hound them to obtain relief for you.
ReplyDeleteMary, you are incredibly sweet! Thank you so very much for all of your prayers. I know that with prayer all will be well.
ReplyDeleteMe too, offering many prayers, Anne! Lifting your soul up to suspend you from the darkness. God Bless you and Mother Mary wrap you up in her mantle.
ReplyDeleteAnne
ReplyDeleteA very emotional post. Know that you are in my prayers.
God Bless you and your family.
These words bring tears to sting my cheeks. They strike me so deeply because I have lived them. My husband is surely a gift of protection from God, without him, I shudder to think the darkness that may have entered my life last year.
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