The Great Depression: Kindness Repaid 40 Years Later
In the early 1970s declining health required my Grandparents to move into a nursing home. My Grandfather was feeble—the result of battling the then incurable and excruciatingly painful disease of Shingles. Even now I wince recalling the plaintive screams of horrific pain that defied relief. His bride of 60 years was slipping into the deep abyss of Alzheimer’s—her stoicism and faith coming to the fore. Shortly after their move, my Dad and I went for a visit. It was traumatic for him, but his love and sense of duty called him to put aside the pain it clearly caused him. Being their demonstrated their success in raising a kind, thoughtful son. There is nothing so heartbreaking as watching those you love suffer and being powerless to help, except to love them even more. As we chatted, an aide was quietly cleaning their room. She too was an older lady who was courteous not to intrude on our intensely personal and poignant visit. As she finished, my Dad clearly needed a break to...