Fr. Don's Daily Reflection - March 11, 2024
Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”
Jeff comes to the care-facility where Bren, his wife of 40 years, is resident. Four years ago, she suffered a stroke which left her unable to use her limbs or to talk or feed herself, etc. Jeff works part time and is with Bren every day for 6 to 7 hours. Most days he brings her the Eucharist. Amid what would tempt many of us to frustration, he shows a fervor and liveliness, an enthusiasm that amazes. This lives with the reality of what he wrote in October 2019: “It is a long and unexpected journey Bren and I are on.”
If you visit them, you are drawn into Jeff’s certainty that Bren understands what is being said. Regularly he reads a Scripture-based reflection to her. (Or the lives of the saints -- to these two!) He prays with her, in every way treats her as another party to any conversation. Her eyes go back and forth, and responses are rare.
One time while we were visiting, Jeff gently coaxed Bren to smile while he gave her a little peck on the cheek; she gave a slight but perceptible smile. There are other hopeful signs. Recently he said slowly to Bren: “I don’t think our love is growing old.” In a split second she replied in her old normal voice, “That’s for sure” and smiled, even seemed to chuckle.
Jeff recounts arriving at Bren’s room recently and casually saying: “Bren, say something”, only to hear, “I love you, Jeff.” Such a response is very rare but very welcome! Jeff comments after this moment: “Not much since, but it was uplifting and hopeful.”
Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”
