Have you ever been asked if you believe in forever? The optimists who are mesmerized with the thought of forever love said "yes," while the pessimists echoed "no." Our views may differ, but one thing for sure that most of us would agree; that LOVE exists.
A loving wife, Carla, devoted her time taking care of her husband, Karl. The latter had a stroke and was paralyzed. Carla took care of him for 20 years without complaining.
Love is sacrifice. You'll do anything and everything to make your loved one happy, satisfied and cared upon. According to the Bible in 1 Corinthians 13: 5, "Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking..."
According to their son, Barton Brooks, whenever his mom does something impressive, his dad would crack a joke, "How'd you do that? You're just a little girl from Kamas (Utah)!" That simple respond would always make her smile." A simple joy of appreciation is a silent celebration.
Love is a verb. It is should be demonstrated, an act of service. What a joy of giving a part of your time, resources and energy to others without asking something in return. Just like Carla, she focused her energy taking care of her husband and making ends meet. She became her partner's caretaker, from dusk till dawn working 24/7, no overtime pay, no vacation leaves, no holiday breaks, yet there is still willingness of giving her best to provide all that Karl needed.
After years of suffering, Karl died last year. Carla is devastated. His pain goes away, but hers just started. Her heart was wrecked; the permanent separation just changed all that she's used to do. It was against her desire.
Barton said in an article by Travel And Leisure, "My mother's entire life has been about other people...but especially since my dad's stroke. She was stuck as a caregiver who had lost her meaning, because her meaning was my dad."
He also posted on his blog, "But now that he's gone, she's been completely lost as to who she is without being his caretaker, and she just can't seem to find her old adventurous self."
To help her mother cope with the passing of his dad, Barton and his partner, Gregg Goodbrod, decided to take her on 20 European tours, one for each year of her life devoted on taking care of her Karl.
Their first destination is in Paris, France. They visited Moulin Rouge which is best known as the origin of the modern form of the can-can dance; the Louvre which house Mona Lisa and Sainte-Chapelle that treasures precious Christian relics, including Christ's crown of thorns, acquired by Saint Louis.
They also took time to see the masterpieces of great painters including Monet, Degas, Sisley, Gauguin, and Van Gogh at the Musée d'Orsay. The trip is not complete without Disneyland Paris, Carla's favorite place.
You can see the happiness in her eyes as she tours around Paris. Seeing beautiful places melts away loneliness. Being surrounded by people who loves you takes away the pain of grieving, turning mourning into celebration.
Forever is a feeling, an emotion that is irreplaceable in your heart, mind and soul. Absence is no match if love is true, the physical vanishes but the feeling is perpetual. The story of Karl and Carla is an epitome of forever love, the love that is separated by death but will continue to live for the rest of her life.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
