What Would You Do for Love?
by This writing was inspired by the movie and book by Nicholas Sparks– The Notebook, and asks what you would do if the one you loved was sick. It asks questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no.
I watched The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks the other night. It has become one of my favorite movies. As I sat with tears in my eyes, I wondered what it would be like to have the man/woman of your dreams, the person you truely loved take care of you when you could no longer take care of yourself. Then I wondered what I would do for love. I’m a very sympathetic and empathetic person myself, and my love for a person is tested every day. That’s another story at a different time. I’ve known from the very beginning that my ‘man’ couldn’t handle certain health issues, if I ever had one, and I pray for good health every day. He couldn’t even help me take a staple out of my finger the other night!
So that brings me to my topic. Would you always be there for the one you love? I don’t mean for a child or parent, because that goes without saying. I mean for the person you gave your life to. Would you go to get prescriptions before your first cup of coffee? Would you give up weekends with family, a chance for a vacation, or a dinner at your favorite restaurant, for love? How about seeing your favorite movie, or a night out with your friends? Would you stand by their hospital bed in the wee hours of the morning holding their hand, hugging them while they cried in fear? Would you be able to hide the tears as you stood beside the gurney in the emergency room while it seemed like their life was slipping away? Could you dress them when they couldn’t do it themselves, set their dentures beside their bed, all clean and ready for when they awoke?
Could you listen to their anger, mostly at you for no reason other then you’re the only one there? What if you saw smiles, but they were always for someone else, not you? If the rare laughter was always for someone else while you only got frowns and dirty looks, would you still love them? Would you remain by their side, be there for them because you promised you would? If you promised to love in sickness and health, did you mean it, and could you really do it? Did you really think it would never happen, and you wouldn’t really have to do it?
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Post CommentJoshua Miguel
On September 29, 2008 at 3:53 am
I really enjoy reading this article. tnx for sharing.
DM Parker
On September 29, 2008 at 7:08 am
I do it now. What is love if it does not involve some sacrifice? Too many people see their significant other as another utility or appliance that can be replace if it stops working. Your spouse is an extension of yourself, part of your own person two made one. We have to take care of ourselves.
quiet voice
On September 29, 2008 at 4:07 pm
….Hi, This article is very deep, and requires a lot of thinking. Sometimes emotions have a way of taking charge
over everything, and you give in. Thanks for writing such an interesting piece. Take care.
Maggie
On September 29, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Because I am a child of God, a born again Christian, I believe in the Word of God, the Bible. The Bible tells me, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). I’m sure I would find it hard to deal with what seems like hatred toward me from the man that promised to love me until death do us part and I’d have to pray a lot for that strength each and every day. But I would stick by my man because I believe in that promise. But my man and your man are two different people. I can’t imagine what it’s like in your shoes Mary. God bless you!
Gerlaine
On September 30, 2008 at 8:34 am
My man is already a bit of a meanie. I would hate for him to get sick. Real love, I realize does stand by no matter what anyone says. They find ways to work out the hard times and make peace with the storms. I have been swaying in some storms myself, because my guy was sorely hurt as a child and still does not know how to handle it. I can’t believe how strong my love has been, even though it hurts.
Mary E
On September 30, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I am doing it now. Those things you said about the way caregivers are treated by the one cared for are so true. The man I married isn’t in there any more. His personality was stollen from us.
He has been my patient now for longer than he was a husband.
There are only memories of the way things were. Even his appearance has changed. The younger grand children don’t even
know the gentle giant that was their grandfather. It is sad to see this happen. When it does it takes two lives not just o9ne.
Mary J. D.
On September 30, 2008 at 8:40 pm
To Mary E.
I understand what you say. You answered the question though. You are continuing to do it on a daily basis. My heart is with you. I know how hard it is. Thanks for commenting.
Mary D.
Susan B. Anna
On October 2, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Hi MJ, I truly hope I can, and commend you for doing so now. This piece lets you open your mind to the what if’s and what not’s, and I can only imagine the pain you are now enduring as you continue to stay strong for the one you love. My mom-in-law was caring for both of her parents now for almost two years, we recently lost one, and the other is slowly fading, but I see the torment, sadness and love she feels for them and know how hard it can be. May God be with you always, you are truly a great person.
Heart Stone
On October 3, 2008 at 4:51 am
What would I do for love? Heck… a deep question– but meaningful. There are many forms of love though but the one who I admired most is the one who offered himself to die for someone, to somebody or to everybody and to answer the question if what would I do for love? Huh ?? too deep.
Very meaningful article.
Julie
On October 4, 2008 at 4:06 pm
We live in a very “me” centered society, where everyone says “What do you (I) want?” instead of “What can you (I) do for others?” When people are constantly thinking about their own rewards and happiness, they are less likely to sacrifice a part of themselves for someone else – look at the high rate of divorce, adultery, co-habitation, even promiscuous sex. We are a society of instant gratification. When we look outside of our own ego, and see how much our actions can help others, we can begin show human compassion. When we think of the sacrifices that have been made for us, including He who made the Ultimate Sacrifice, then we know that caring for those in need, those to whom we have made a vow, is the right thing to do. We are no longer only thinking of ourself and our reward.
Autumnrose
On October 13, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Wow, this was very deep and made me think a while… It reminded me of when my lover (I hate the word boyfriend- it just sounds so shallow!) had his wisdom teeth out last year at the end of the summer and the surgery went badly; he so swollen and bruised he was nearly unrecognizable. I came over to his house from around 9 in the morning til 11 at night for about a week, taking care of him, bringing him soup and medicine, fetching him ice packs, etc. I just wanted to do everything I could for him. I even felt bad when I had the same surgery 6 months later and had hardly any swelling. So the answer is a resounding yes.
Beautifully written!
Peter Cimino
On October 15, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I LOVE this piece! It really truly makes you wonder about the TRUE definition of love and what your limitations are. I guess we all have our own definition. But, I would surely do this. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t. Extremely well written.
R J Grant
On November 2, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Am I not my brothers keeper?
Some people were taught responsibility and accepted it. Others reject it all their lives. You either have character or you don’t.
With character love is made complete. Without it love cannot exist in the first place.
R J Grant
maria k
On November 13, 2008 at 5:14 pm
i would definetly be there for the one i TRULY LOVE. its worth every minute and every second of it. i enjoyed what you wrote. LOVE is everythig LOVE IS SACRAFICE
hfj
On December 10, 2008 at 9:16 am
I also think the movie The Notebook was a classic. Your marriage vows say for better or worse, or until death do you part. I will always be there for my wife till the end, and i hope she would do the same. Good article.
Alicia Wind
On January 3, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Aww– i was reading the article and I already read this before and I knew I left a comment–yeah! Gotcha—Heart Stone…and guess what–
I miss my Heart Stone…!! penname…
Kendra
On September 23, 2010 at 1:41 am
I would take care of the one I love for the rest of my life if only it meant I could be with him. My love currently does not know how he feels about me, but I would be there for him no matter what for as long as possible. He already hurts me emotionally on a daily basis, but I love him and want to do anything I can for him. If I had to bathe him, clothe him, feed him, do everything for him, and work several jobs to support both of us, I would. I must admit, the worst pain in the world is loving someone who doesn’t love you. This is an amazing article, very deep, and made me really think about what I would do for the one I love. I can only hope others can find someone they truly love with all their hearts because it really is an amazing feeling being with the one you love.