They first met at a friend's wedding where they were both members of the bridal entourage. They were the cord sponsors. At that time, he was involved with someone else. He even brought her as his date on that wedding! But fate would interfere and interfere it did.
Little did they know that the cord entrusted to them to bind their friend in marriage would later on bind them for life. For better and for worse. In sickness and in health.
Now, fifty years later, they walked hand in hand towards the priest who would be officiating their renewal of wedding vows. He was as dashing as the day he first said the words "I do" and she was blushing just like a pretty young bride. But there is a shadow of sadness in her eyes. Visible only to those who know and understand what she is going through. For if you will look closely at the tall, handsome and dignified man beside her, his eyes will betray what his appearance will not tell you. He smiles, but his smile never reaches his eyes. Because he does not remember anything. He holds her hand, but does not know who she is. He looks at the crowd but does not know what the celebration is all about.
The groom of fifty years has lost his memory.
But the bride remembers everything. Her memory is as sharp as the day she first met him. She fondly recalls how they started calling each other "Bok", a Filipino slang used by friends to refer to each other as brothers or buddies. That was how they started. He has won her heart through friendship. It is perhaps one of the best ways to blossom into love. For true friends are hard to find.
As i sat and listened to her recall their brief but colorful courtship, my eyes start to water but i had to hold back the tears for it might stop her from her momentary reverie. I could see how at that moment, the reality of her husband's condition does not exist. She was in a different time and place. A time that did not permit the reality of today.
She told me her father was not in favor of their relationship. But even that did not stop true love from getting its way. Against all odds they did what young lovers did. They eloped and got married in a civil ceremony. In faraway Quezon province. Without the lace, frills and cake. There were no doves to release and wedding presents to open. But it didn't matter. They have each other. No other kind of gift was more precious. It was all that mattered.
Their marriage was as candid and true as their courtship and friendship. Like most young couples,there were years of struggle but they were made insignificant by their dedication and commitment to each other. Their home was filled with music. He is a dancer and a very good one at that. In fact, his signature dance is Boogie. There was great pride and fondness in her eyes as she recalled that part and how during the early years of his memory loss, listening to his favorite songs would bring him back.
But not long enough. It never stays.
And so she learned to savor each moment with her husband even more. Knowing that even a tiny flicker of recognition means a lot. If only to see that he knows who she is, the wife who vowed to love him until death do they part.
While he will never again remember their love story, she remembers everything. She guards those memories like a crown jewel and keeps them safe in the deepest recesses of her heart. Most especially the part that truly matters.
" For better or for worse. In sickness and in health. Till death do us part".
As the priest starts to bless them, the guests start to cheer and applaud. He looks around, unsure. Trying to comprehend what was happening. She stands beside him holding his hand. Her other hand holding a handkerchief, ready to stop her tears from falling. You know she is happy. But you also know that there is so much more that she is feeling.
I don't have the words to describe it and will not even attempt to. For i know it would fall short and will never measure to the greatness of this woman's love. Only God will ever know the depth of her affection for the man beside her.
Alzheimer may have taken her husband's memory. But it only took half of it. His other half, his better half has it. She holds it tightly as she makes another vow to love and to cherish him all the days of their lives. The cord that bound them has proven stronger than anything.
Little did they know that the cord entrusted to them to bind their friend in marriage would later on bind them for life. For better and for worse. In sickness and in health.
Now, fifty years later, they walked hand in hand towards the priest who would be officiating their renewal of wedding vows. He was as dashing as the day he first said the words "I do" and she was blushing just like a pretty young bride. But there is a shadow of sadness in her eyes. Visible only to those who know and understand what she is going through. For if you will look closely at the tall, handsome and dignified man beside her, his eyes will betray what his appearance will not tell you. He smiles, but his smile never reaches his eyes. Because he does not remember anything. He holds her hand, but does not know who she is. He looks at the crowd but does not know what the celebration is all about.
The groom of fifty years has lost his memory.
But the bride remembers everything. Her memory is as sharp as the day she first met him. She fondly recalls how they started calling each other "Bok", a Filipino slang used by friends to refer to each other as brothers or buddies. That was how they started. He has won her heart through friendship. It is perhaps one of the best ways to blossom into love. For true friends are hard to find.
As i sat and listened to her recall their brief but colorful courtship, my eyes start to water but i had to hold back the tears for it might stop her from her momentary reverie. I could see how at that moment, the reality of her husband's condition does not exist. She was in a different time and place. A time that did not permit the reality of today.
She told me her father was not in favor of their relationship. But even that did not stop true love from getting its way. Against all odds they did what young lovers did. They eloped and got married in a civil ceremony. In faraway Quezon province. Without the lace, frills and cake. There were no doves to release and wedding presents to open. But it didn't matter. They have each other. No other kind of gift was more precious. It was all that mattered.
Their marriage was as candid and true as their courtship and friendship. Like most young couples,there were years of struggle but they were made insignificant by their dedication and commitment to each other. Their home was filled with music. He is a dancer and a very good one at that. In fact, his signature dance is Boogie. There was great pride and fondness in her eyes as she recalled that part and how during the early years of his memory loss, listening to his favorite songs would bring him back.
But not long enough. It never stays.
And so she learned to savor each moment with her husband even more. Knowing that even a tiny flicker of recognition means a lot. If only to see that he knows who she is, the wife who vowed to love him until death do they part.
While he will never again remember their love story, she remembers everything. She guards those memories like a crown jewel and keeps them safe in the deepest recesses of her heart. Most especially the part that truly matters.
" For better or for worse. In sickness and in health. Till death do us part".
As the priest starts to bless them, the guests start to cheer and applaud. He looks around, unsure. Trying to comprehend what was happening. She stands beside him holding his hand. Her other hand holding a handkerchief, ready to stop her tears from falling. You know she is happy. But you also know that there is so much more that she is feeling.
I don't have the words to describe it and will not even attempt to. For i know it would fall short and will never measure to the greatness of this woman's love. Only God will ever know the depth of her affection for the man beside her.
Alzheimer may have taken her husband's memory. But it only took half of it. His other half, his better half has it. She holds it tightly as she makes another vow to love and to cherish him all the days of their lives. The cord that bound them has proven stronger than anything.