Commitment

Let me introduce you to Harold and Irene*. I see them every Sunday and Friday’s when I am at my mom place. They sit together and sometimes Harold greets us and talks about the day’s events of just life in general. Often on Sunday afternoons you find them both napping quietly. No one bothers them and everyone just lets them be together.


You see Irene lives in the nursing home and Harold comes to spend the day with her. Irene can’t see any longer and is unable to talk. I’m not sure Irene is really aware of her surroundings, but it doesn’t matter to Harold, for him it is about being with his wife, for better or worse. He misses her being at home with him and misses the conversations they used to have. He is lonely at home these days and goes to bed each night alone. He sits with Irene just to be with her, to try and give her a sense of belonging even though they are apart more than together.

I watch Harold and it is then that you begin to see what is meant in the marriage vows: “until death due you part.”

I think any couple considering marriage should go and find a “Harold and Irene” and understand what a commitment is.

Ecc 9:9