The Definition of Commitment

Til Death do us part.

In our wedding vows, most, if not all, of us said something to that effect. We made a promise to stand side by side, come what may. In sickness and in health. For richer or poorer. Til death do us part.

I do.

That simple two-word, three-lettered response is a promise, a covenant made in the presence of God and men. It is a serious matter. One that should not be taken lightly.

But this is not a rant about divorce. I want to look at the other side. I want to show you the most beautiful picture of what commitment looks like. I will fail to do this story justice, but I am going to try.

In sickness and in health

My friend's grandmother is ill. Very ill. She may well be at the end of her earthly journey, one that has spanned many years and multiple generations.  As is often the case, the end is not pretty. It's difficult. It's sad. It would almost seem unfair, except for one thing: She is not alone.

65 years ago, a young lady wed a man whom her mother looked at and said, "You can do better." I'm not sure she could have. After 65 years of the stuff of life, he remains at her side. And he has had to give up most everything to do so.

I do.

When her husband said I do, he meant it. When the dementia came, and she could no longer be at home, he did not abandon her. Every morning he rises, gets dressed, and goes to be with her. From the time she rises, til the time she goes to bed, he is there. By her side. She may not even know he is there, but it doesn't matter. He made a promise. He gave his word. He gave her his world.

And now, at 90 years old, he sits at her bedside. When she went to the hospital, he went with her. He left once, to shower and change, then went back. He was gone maybe 45 minutes, and I bet he worried the entire time. What if something happened? What if he wasn't there? She needed him, and he was going to be there. He said I do, and that's all there is to it.

Commitment.

Day and night, he remains with her. It's not easy--it can't be easy--but he does it. And he will continue to be there until she no longer is. That's commitment.

What would the world look like if we all did the same?