I watched a couple who had been in a church I once served. He had undergone a stroke and couldn't speak. I saw such great love.

They sat and ate so quietly.
No word did they share.
They ate silently
In a restaurant crowd right there.
I sat across the room
And fought back salty tears.
I remembered times not long ago
not so many years.
Their talking would not cease
as they told their tales together.
One would start the story
And it was finished by the other.
And a person sat there listening
with no chance to say a word.
Then everyone would laugh
at the story that they heard.

Illness came to visit
as an enemy from hell.
He hears and sees and understands
But the words he cannot tell.
His body is strong
and you cannot tell he’s ill.
The caring love of his partner
Gives my heart a chill.

I spoke to them as they left.
Both of them smiled at me.
I watched them going out the door
as far as far as I could see.
Then, with my folded napkin,
I dabbed at a tear of two
To see God’s love in action
and knowing how it grew.

And I remembered the good times.