I am now equipped with a rather cumbersome boot on my right leg and I try to make my way using the crutches that I am clearly not an expert with, yet. I move slowly forward encumbered as I now find myself. I can just barely make my way through the glass sliding doors out into the lovely sunshine outside the doors. It is an ordinary day outside the main doors to the hospital, people coming and going, going about their business. Some look tired as they approach the main entrance. Employees, visitors, relatives, patients – all who go in have a purpose at the hospital and not all of them are pleased to be there. That is clear to see, to feel in their expressions. I try to provoke a smile from someone just about to enter, the smile was an effort.

The couple are sitting on a bench not far from the entrance. The news has not been good. In fact it must be of the worst type. They are holding hands. She leans forward to zip his jacket up just a bit higher. The wind is blowing harder now. He smiles at her and takes her hand in his. She wipes the tears off his cheek. He is the wheelchair occupant. Is it him that is ill? They love each other and have done so for many years. Man and wife? Lovers? Tough to guess. He looks away from her after kissing her hand. Her hand rests gently on his knee. She looks searchingly at his face. What is it that she is looking for? The love is unmistakable so what is it she needs? Is offering? Comfort? Pain? Sorrow? Is her intention to give him a comforting glance? It is beautiful and alive that which they are sharing and it hurts. They see no one else. They are oblivious to the world around them. They are alone there where they are. Their world that right now is full of love, indescribable pain, acceptance, respect and empathy – the one for the other.

They leave the bench. She is pushing him towards the entrance. As they approach I look at the man in the wheelchair. I see that his eyes are wet. The tears are not permitted to flow unabated at this time, but it is difficult now to keep them back. She is pushing him. It is not a burden. She is a tall woman with white hair. Observing her on the bench she looked fallen and hunched. Not in this moment. She is stoic. There is a certain pride in her approach. The future that awaits them shall not break them, her. The pain is though too much to bear.

They have moved past me now. In through the automatic doors. The wind is cold. The impression that they have left doesn’t immediately disappear. They have in fact stayed with me all day. I just can’t seem to slip them free. I am optimistic by nature. Have always been so. This couple had given up. Hope had very clearly evaporated. The place that had been held by what hope they had felt was now filled with a reluctant acceptance.

It was a difficult exchange to bear witness to – beautiful and touching. I am grateful to them for the privilege of experiencing them today.