If I knew then what I know now.....

Though patients with long term ailments may lose their physical strength, their spirits and wills are still very much alive and do not need to be protected, they need love and laughter and understanding. And those of us who are ill must never forget to return this love as best we can. I hope this poem can help others understand that along with the weaknesses, we all have strengths. No matter our trials, we all may know we are loved but need to hear it frequently none the less.
Silence can be an unintentional yet cruel side effect manifesting itself not in the patient but in the ones they hold dearest to their hearts.


Love Beyond words

She slowly slips away from me
Her strength is almost gone
Yet there is no relief in sight
Her M.S. marches on.

This disease though not a killer
Indirectly does the work
It causes death from other things
As through the body it does work

Her strength of hands and feet went first
She could not keep her grip
Then as she walked through out the day
She'd often stumble and slip.

Her eyesight was effected next
A symptom that comes and goes
And that is just the very start
Of all her aches and woes.

But an unexpected and cruel effect
Is one you can not see
It is the subtle and evil pain
That has attacked not her but me.

At first I stopped our dancing
When the music wasn't there
Then slowly I talked less and less
My feelings I'd not share

Our smiles were then less often seen
Kind words too came farther apart
I seemed so wrapped up in her pain
I did not share with her my heart

I did not share my verbal love
Our caring touch was all but lost
Yes her disease had taken her health
But so much more I lost

My love for her has never changed
For her I'd give my life
She is my strength, my very best friend
She's my eternal wife

There is nothing I can do
To make her body heal
But our love I will revitalize
By speaking out just how I feel

And though her health will still decline
Our love will not do so
The eternal love that we still have
We will openly cause to grow

If a loved one has an ailment
That may cause an uncertain end
Laugh and joke and speak to them
For most of all they need a friend

Don't let the symptoms of their trials
Spill over on to you
Share your love each and every day
That love will get you through

Yes though the ailment may linger on
Always let your love be heard
Don't create the awful side effect
Of a love that is beyond word.