just went to a funeral last night. the lady who passed away was a close family friend (who lived near kathi and kristi-so we went to say hi on the way) she battled with Alzeimer's disease for over 20 years. I cried-naturally. but you have to know her. the doctors wanted to pull the plug on her very early on when she started not being able to speak, move or feed herself. but she soldiered on. she made it known that she was still very much alive. when the nerves in her hands were still functioning, she'd grab my hands even when she couldn't speak, just to acknowledge me. then, she'd make sounds in answer to our questions and would blink her eyes more when we spoke to her. when she was flat out on her back, she would respond to our entrance into her room with excitement-her heartbeat went up. :) I also got a chance to pray with her (by myself) last year and while I was praying with her about life and overcoming hardships, she cried. Tears fell from her eyes and her heartbeat went up even though she could not respond aurally or physically anymore. she was ALIVE. this is one of the reasons why I would never champion euthanasia. there is more to a person than just motor functions-she had a LIFE beyond what you could imagine, touching so many people, and when she finally passed away, she looked so peaceful.

I also bring you the story of a man- her husband.

back in 1993 (he's 90 years old now) when he had a bypass surgery, she was afraid to lose him and told him to never leave her. he promised her that he'll look after her til she drew her last breath. so when she was at the hospital and the doctors said she was dying, he asked her if she wanted to come home and she responded by blinking. so when she got home, he asked her to open her eyes and look around- which she did. then he told her, while crying, that it was okay to go home. so half an hour later with all her family members surrounding her, she passed away peacefully. he told us this story last night at the funeral service and when he cried, my heart couldn't take it. but I really salute them. they shared a love that was beyond what some of us would even do. to stay beside a person who can no longer respond physically, reading the bible to her and talking to her day and night, is such a grand feat and one truly done out of the love in his heart.

I just had to share this love story (like out of the movies huh?) which was so real and such a blessing. something every relationship should have-selflessness. and yes, my eyes are red from all the crying. haha. God Bless.