2 of 4

Wilbur nods.

How to move the inertia of paralysis, that is the problem. Enter the Hoyer lift, a machine that makes a workable marriage of chrome and nylon, strength joined to flexibility. Via the Hoyer, a featherweight like Thelma can move mountains.

"One of these days," says Wilbur, "I'm going to get up and give you a ride in that machine." He reaches for a rope handle attached to the opposite side of the bed and rolls onto his side. On the sheet Thelma spreads a nylon mesh sling and rolls Wilbur back on it. Twice she travels the double-bed width to straighten the sling, peering through the glaucoma that tunnels her vision, then rolling the huge horseshoe base of the Hoyer under the bed. Over Wilbur's head, two double chains swing from the A-shaped boom, faintly tinkling.

Wilbur's eyes follow Thelma the way iron filings follow a magnet. She treks around the bed again, hooking the chains into four eyelets on the sling, two at his shoulders, two at his hips. As Thelma pumps the hydraulic lever on the hoist, her husband's shoulders rise from the bed like a slow updraft.

Nowadays Wilbur and Thelma need each other the way air needs wind and wind needs air. She is his movement. He is her reason for moving.

"You okay?"

Wilbur is rocking six inches over the bed, his eyes fastened on Thelma. "You haven't dumped me yet."

"No, sir, after 33 years I'm not about to dump you."

There's never been a time when I've said, "I'm going to give up right here." It doesn't take much to say, "I quit." It takes a lot more to say, "I'll try." It's a privilege, really, to see into things that can make you desperate. You get a whole different perspective on life.

Some days are so hard, but it's neither one of our faults. My gimpy leg acts up. Nearly everything I pick up, I drop. Or we go through a stack of Depends. If I get overly tired and crabby, I'll say, "Wilbur, I'm grumbling, but not at you." Lots of times when I have a day like that, I'll be in the kitchen washing dishes with the radio on. I'll hear a beautiful hymn and stop dead in my tracks and listen. The tears roll and I say, "Thank you, God! That's a whole day's blessing."

Good music can absolutely heal my inner feelings. Sometimes Wilbur will say, "Thelma, go play the piano." After music, I love nature. In the spring, even the green weeds look good. And the purple finches, you can't discourage them. Cold or hot or humid, the birds sing.

next page... |  2 of 4

	What did you think of this story?
	Please to give us your feedback.

Home  |  People of Faith  |  Stories of Hope  |  Today's Culture
Build Your Faith  |  Laughing Matters  |  Archives  |  Contact Us

				Try 3 Issues of Christianity Today Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless. Give Christianity Today as a gift Order a gift subscription!