The Sweet Couple

Today, I met this middle aged woman during my weekly tcm sessions. She left a deep impression on me as she is a stroke patient who's on her way to recovery. I learnt that she couldnt walk and was wheelchair bound during her first visit to the clinic and now she is able to walk on her own. Impressive! It was due to her diet of  4 deep fried chicken wings daily that caused her to suffer from a stroke. She's a petite woman, so that's a surprise to me. Oops.. forming stereotypes again. After collecting her medicine from the dispensary, she didnt leave immediately. She sat down and waited. Ten minutes passed. Continued to wait. Another ten minutes passed. The patient behind me got curious and nudged her. How come your husband is not around? She asked. I expected a reply from her, yet no voice came out. She was gesturing, indicating that her husband was on his way here. I learnt that she lost her ability to speak after the stroke and her husband is always around her during her visits to the clinic. She finally stood up after she saw this lorry driving into the carpark. Yes, it is her husband, who rushes down and talks to her. They appear delighted to see each other. Can sense the love in their eyes. Such a sight is rare these days... It's nice and a little heartwarming to know that there are elderly couples still very much in love. Nowadays couples are together with each other because of commitment and they are at each others' throats, this includes my parents.  My mom laments that dad is ill treating her, not being romantic blah blah. The deepest blow is when she says she would not have chosen him if given a second chance. I think such stuff shouldnt be said during quarrels, esp during heated arguments. They might have been said on impulse, but once said, the damage is done. I do not wish to follow in my parents' footsteps. I want to grow old with my partner hand in hand, strolling in parks, gazing at each other lovingly, stroking at each others' wrinkled faces, poking fun at each others' sagging skin. Such thoughts make me smile :)