♥ I Know What Love Looks Like ♥

If you've never seen the beginning of Pixar's Up (or the entire movie, for that matter), then please, do me a favor.  Stop reading this and go watch it.  Don't worry, I'll wait... ::waiting::... ::waits some more::... Okay, did you do it? Are you done? Did you cry? It's okay if you did.  I always do.  We empathize with Carl and Ellie.  They love each other so much and it's so evident in their actions. And we ache for them.  We share their heartache.  And when Ellie dies and leaves Carl alone, we're sad. We're sad WITH him.



I saw this played out yesterday.  And even now, tears stream down my face as I recall it to my mind.  You see, my grandparents were basically Carl and Ellie.  They knew each other since they were teenagers.  They got married when they were young.  And they were together more than 60 years... How many of us will actually be able to say that? (Sidenote: If I got married tomorrow and was married for 60 years, I'd be 93... 93! I think it's safe to assume, I won't see 60 years of marriage, but you never know. Dangit now you know how old I am ::sigh::)

For the last couple of years, as it became more and more apparent that Grandpa was not himself and probably never would be again, I never once heard my Grandma complain.  She took care of him in every way that she could.  She spoke patiently and lovingly to him.  She cleaned up after him.  She changed his clothes, helped him go to the bathroom, wiped his face when he made a mess of eating.  And over the last few months, with the help of my aunt and uncle, she continued to care for him, even when he could no longer walk or do anything at all for himself.  When the family was no longer able to care for him, and he had to go live in a home, she went and visited him every day and sat beside his bed.  She read scripture to him, played him music that he enjoyed and just made sure he knew she was right there with him.

And yesterday, I watched as she told him it was okay for him to go.  Even though, I know she didn't want him to. You see, it was evident that she loved him more than she loved herself.  Selfishly, we don't want to let people go, but sometimes, it's in their best interest.  So, she gave him permission to let go of this life and move on into eternity.  I know her heart was (and is) aching.  I know she has so many adjustments ahead of her and life will be completely different.  But I am so moved by the love she had for my grandpa; and his for her.

If you asked him about her, even up to the end, he would tell you "I wouldn't trade her for a million bucks." Were my grandparents perfect? No. (Neither am I, by the way), but one thing you can't deny is that they loved each other so much.

I hope that one day, I can experience love like that. Until then, I will look to them and the great love they had for each other.  It's a reflection of the unconditional love Christ has for us.

♥Rebekah