When in Sickness and in health

In the morning, while going to work today, I saw an elderly Couple, probably over 80 years of age, holding hands in hands, and going toward the hospital. I was moved by watching the couple which reminded me of the Christian Wedding vow, “……… when in sickness and in health……..” What’s love if it doesn't go through a testing time of sickness of a partner? I often wonder about this disparity in understanding basic human values. In some parts of the world, where love is conditioned on so many factors and the threat of separation, blackmail, and other evils of social media. I wish love was simple and pure just the way my blessed eyes witnessed it.  As the couple walked away, I closed my eyes and prayed for their long lives.

Long ago, when they were young,

He met her at the metro station,

Waiting for the train,

Destiny had already planned

Their union oblivious to

Both of them

Both got into the same cabin,

As the train picked its speed,

They saw each other,

Right in front of them,

He was mesmerized by her beauty,

And she fell for his smile,

That’s how they might have met,

My mind weaved a story,

As imaginative as their meeting might be,

It made my heart full,

Years of courtship were divine,

As they were content being with

Each other, not many years later,

Standing were they at the Altar,

Taking wedding vows,

“…… when in sickness and

in health….” They chose each other,

Even today, many years after that vow

Their footstep supports each other,

What’s love if it doesn't go through

A period of test and trial?

May lord bless this couple,

And make them live longer.

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Swati Sarangi

19.04.2023