I’ve returned from visiting my daughter who has been lovingly caring for her mother, my wife, for many, many months now. It was a visit I had to make but knew it would be difficult.

My wife has severe dementia, severe to the point that there is no conscious control remaining in her body. All movements, what few there are, are reflexive responses. Her eyes blink but do not see, her throat swallows but mouth does not chew, her lungs breathe but there are no sounds except for occasional grunts, her hands are warm but do not move.

She must be spoon fed three times daily for sustenance. Her limbs must be manually moved for the exercise needed to keep them flexible. The only thing keeping my wife alive is our daughter’s complete devotion to her mother’s loving care.

I have never heard my daughter complain, never heard a single negative word from her mouth in all the time she has been caring for her mother.

Not a single word.

rather, she greets her mother each day with love and encouragement. Every single day. Every single moment.

My daughter humbles me. She has shown me the true measure of love.

She is a saint, as is her mother whose devoted love for me was never ending.

I am blessed to live in such company.

tio stib