None of us knew this would be the last time Mom and Dad were together.
Mom had been sick for years and Dad her sole caretaker for the last two. He was still working his full-time job out of his home office when he started feeling abnormally tired in the spring of 2014.
Mom hadn’t been out of the house for months…..except for an emergency room visit the month before. But she mustered up enough energy to go to the hospital to see Dad. He was in the intensive care unit. The visit from Mom was a surprise to Dad and the oxygen mask couldn’t hide the big smile on his face when he saw Mom.
They reached for each other and held each other’s hands. They told each other “I love you” and stared at each other. Squeezed and patted each others’ hands.
Those of us in the room felt the sacredness of the moment. I think they knew this was the last time.
The last time they’d hold hands. The last “I love you”. The last time they’d see each other.
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Connected.” and One Love.
You can read more of Mom’s and Dad’s story here.
mariegriffith.me 
This made me tear up as thoughts of my grandparents came to my mind. Thank you for reminding me of what strong, beautiful love looks like, even in those moments where our hearts are breaking.
Thank you, Karen. Their love was 51 years strong.
Well said; brought back memories of my parents in 1987.
I had a good cry writing this. The cherished memories and I miss them so.
Experienced this…very poignant and special….
Powerful…
Thank you. I will always cherish that moment.
…in sickness and in health, to cherish and to hold, so long as you both shall live. Love endures!
Yes it does.
Beautiful photo and post. 🙂
Thank you Judy.
Powerful, poignant and beautiful post!
Thank you Marquessa.
While it may have been difficult for you Marie, the connection between your parents could not be undone even with the pending passing on of your dad. You were priviledged to witness that. – very special.
I will cherish it always.
Theirs is such a beautiful and touching story. What a privilege for a daughter to see their parents loving each other through the years until their very last moments.
I am very sorry for your father’s loss.
Thank you. Mom followed and passed in January. My sisters and I were very blessed indeed to have such wonderful parents.
So sad… thanks for sharing, it puts my situation in perspective! 😉
Thank you for commenting.
absolutely beautiful – a random stranger’s love to them both; thank you, Marie, for sharing this
Thank you.
Extremely powerful!!! Thank you for letting us live this moment with you.
Thank you Galen. I’m so thankful I was there.
The most touching image of a touch imaginable. Thank you or sharing this achingly poignant picture.
Thank you for “seeing” what I saw.
It’s a beautiful image – I couldn’t fail to ‘see’ 🙂
Wow! Beautiful and painful at the same time. Definitely had to hold back some tears. Brings back memories.
Yes it was a moment full of conflicting, almost warring emotions. But still cherished.