Monday, April 10, 2006

NO TURNING BACK

I watched a very touching movie on the Hallmark channel the other night.

The name of the movie was "Though none go with me" and it starred Cheryl Ladd.

She was recounting her life to her grand daughter one afternoon. At one point in the story of her life she told her grand daughter about her husband, Will.

After 50 years together, he began to drift into Alzheimer's disease.

One early morning  Will got up and wrote this letter to his wife.

( taken from the movie... Though none go with me).

Please don't be sad when I no longer recognize you.

Just know that I love you.

My heart will always remember even when my mind doesn't.

I want you to know that this will be the end of my life...Not yours.

I want you to go on and find happiness and know that every time you smile...I'm glad!

Love forever.

These words can also apply to any one who has suffered the loss of a loved one in any way.

These words came to me at the right time.  I have felt guilty that I am well and Peggy has Alzheimer's. I am been angry that Peggy has been taken from my life. I have felt frustrated that I had no power to stop her from leaving.

The words that Will wrote gave me great comfort because I can see Peggy writing the same words to her husband and daughters. Also to me and her other sisters and brother.

I can see any loved one who has passed away writing the same words to those they love. Loved ones who are left behind to deal with the empty places that are left by their going.

I have a little calendar on my desk that has sayings for every day.

Today the saying was.....I will not forget you. I will remember!

How chilling and comforting to read those words as I sat to type this entry.

It was as if Peggy is here with me telling me that it is OK to be happy and go on with my life and not be sad for her.

In the movie, the woman looked at her grand daughter with tears in her eyes and said;

I spent 50 years with your grand father but Oh what I would give for one more hour.

We can all say those words to the ones we loved and have left our physical lives.

Peggy and I touched one another's lives and we made a difference to each other but oh what I would give..........

For one more hour.

"Though no one goes with me still I will follow.

No turning back, no turning back".

I Love You Today, Peggy!

Mary Louise

 

 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow!  sounds like a great movie!  even when i can't remember, my heart still remembers.  
very comforting.
love,
Wendy

Anonymous said...

Very touching and sobering....I dont know what I would do if I were in your situation, I have 3 sisters and 3 brothers.........I could not even imagine............Stormie