Place me like a seal over your heart,
    like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
    its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
    like a mighty flame.

Song of Songs 8:6

So yesterday turned out not the best timing for an anniversary celebration. Little did we know, back on August 18th 1979, that we would be spending anniversary number 44 in the hospital with my mother!

But you know what? We made all these promises about circumstances like “for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, in good times and bad…” and if yesterday wasn’t an actual slice of real married life then I don’t know what would be?

Our reservation for dinner at Pooles, however, has had to be temporarily shelved.

But the surgery went well. The orthopedic surgeon spoke with us and he was satisfied with the procedure. Of course, being almost 92, recovery will involve more time and care, but he fully anticipates mum being able able to put weight on the leg almost immediately and has ordered physical therapy right away.

We’re looking, probably, at two or three days in the hospital before mum is transferred to rehab. Then, depending on progress, back to her home hopefully before the end of the month.

As for today, mum is still very disoriented and the challenge is going to be to get her on her feet and begin the healing process.

One day at a time. One hour at a time.

The Apostle Paul said it well: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).