I work as a C.N.A. (Certified Nurses Assistant) I have worked with the
Elderly, middle aged, and some unforgettable children. I absolutely LOVE my job
and wouldn't want to be doing anything else right now. Especially after
today.
Right now I work at an assisted living center and have
been working there close to 8 months now. I can't express to any of you out
there how much I love each one of my residents. Each resident is like a child
to me; I feed them, Clean up after them, dress them, have patience with them,
argue with them, and most importantly, I love them with all of my heart. And
trust me. My job requires A LOT of love.
Each of my residents has their own story. They once lived
their own lives without assistance, pain, or confusion. One of my favorite things
about my job is getting to know about each of the residents' lives. Not just
how they like their shower or what time they like to go to bed; I love getting
to know who they were before they became in need of my assistance. Some were
professional painters, some have a twin, and some were doctors, chemistry
teachers, or army veterans. Some never married, some have 12 children, and some
have incredible love stories. And that is what I want to talk about today. A
love story of two inspiring residents.
Chuck and Mary.
Many many years ago in
Argentina, Chuck M. was serving a church mission for the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints. A two year commitment. Mary M. (a Native to Argentina)
was also serving a church mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints in Argentina. But Mary wasn't called on this mission; she was strictly a
volunteer in her community. Chuck and Mary were both serving in the same area
when they met.
"Mary was such an inspiring great missionary, she
reached out to people that I thought were unreachable." Said Chuck with a
Love in his eyes I only hope to see in my future husband someday.
Since Chuck was on his mission, although never a
struggle (due to Chuck's shy personality) girls were off limits (and that
included Mary). When Chuck was transferred to different areas he and Mary only
kept in contact through letters. They wrote each other as very best friends
supporting each other through what I am sure seemed like a great distance.
After the two years was up, Chuck was on his way home.
His first stop was Panama where he had to stay, work, and save up enough money
to get home. Chuck soon found out that his mother had passed away and that his
father had moved and had nowhere for Chuck to come home to in America, so
Chuck's boss suggested that he stayed and worked in Panama. So he did, all the
while receiving letters from his Best friend, Mary. One day he received one of
these special letters. And little did he know it would change his life
forever.
In this letter Mary expressed her love for Chuck, not
only in a romantic way but most importantly as his loyal and most treasured
best friend. She told him that she had prayed long and hard about them getting
married and received a most sacred answer: that she was to marry Chuck for time
and all eternity. She asked him to pray long and hard about it as well. He did.
Chuck told me that he didn't receive an answer as profound as Mary had. But he
trusted Mary's Judgment and prayers and accepted her proposal. But this
marriage was going to take dedication. First of all, He had to get Mary to
Panama. And this was not an easy nor was it a cheap task. After months of
working and saving his money, he finally saved enough money to get Mary to
Panama. They got married fast and only had days to get to know each other.
There love grew for each other day by day. If Chuck didn't have a for sure
answer about marrying Mary at first, he sure did now. They eventually came to
America and started their inspiring lives. Mary started a Crochet/Knitting
business called Crochenit. She and Chuck traveled teaching 3rd world countries
how to crochet and spreading all sorts of goodness.
Right now Chuck and Mary are still in love but the
circumstances are quite different. Chuck is taking the last breaths that he
will ever take in this life and he is about to leave Mary to finish her journey
here on earth while he finishes his journey and returns home to our beloved
Heavenly Father. Mary is lovingly holding Chucks hand for as long as she can. She
has an eternal love in her eyes that we hope, by the time we are 90+ years old
we still have in our eyes sitting next to our eternal companion.
Today, this love did not
just stop at Chuck and Mary. It was COMPLETELY contagious as endless family members
gathered around Chuck’s hospital bed not just for a quick visit, but for hours.
They stayed through the night and all day long and to this minute are still
there. They eat takeout, sleep on the floors in the closet and on the couches,
and NEVER complained about being bored. They have loved and cherished every
minute they can spend with this amazing couple.
Because my curiosity always
gets the best of me I asked one of the family members: “Why stay? Isn’t this
hard to watch?” and he gave me the most perfect reply: “Yes. It is incredibly
hard to watch. But Chuck would without a doubt be in the same place for us. And
Family is the most important thing in this life. These are the moments that
truly make us realize that.”
I will
always remember this reply, as long as I live.
That moment, that
statement, has shifted my perspective and changed my life, for the better.
Forever.
My only hope is that it
will Change yours. Whoever you are. Family is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THIS
LIFE. So if your family needs you for anything, even if it is simply your
presence in a time of great trial, Go and be with them. Give them a hug, tell
them how much you love them. Families are forever and that is all that matters.
