My dad and I go to the rehab center twice a day to feed my mother lunch and dinner. We're becoming more familiar with both the staff and the patients, and they're all a wonderful bunch of people.
Today the speech therapist stopped by to tell us what kinds of exercises she's doing with my mother. In a way, Mom is having to learn to speak again. When she does talk, her speech is slow and mumbled. The speech therapist is teaching her how to say certain important phrases: "I'm hungry." "I'm tired." "I need to use the bathroom." Etc.
So today, as I fed my mother some puréed food, Mom turned her head, looked directly at Dad, and said indistinctly, "I love you."
You can imagine my father's reaction. The power of language.
Oh, that is wonderful! Brings tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing, Patrice.
ReplyDeleteThe joy you must have knowing your parents love each other that deeply and that you are a product of that love.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful legacy your parent’s marriage leaves on all who know them.
ReplyDeleteOk, that brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what your dad felt. My husband, who had a stroke in October, has lost his ability to speak. Every once in a while he will also look at me a say very distinctly, I Love You. It makes my heart sing.
ReplyDeleteJust….wow.
ReplyDeletePrecious.
ReplyDelete