When my son Lee asked me to write a love story for our newsletter for Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share this story of my father-in-law Bill, Lee’s grandfather. Bill is 87, and his story is a testament to enduring love.
Life on the Rural Property
My father-in-law and mother-in-law lived on a rural property just outside of Perth, Western Australia, for many years. My husband Phil and I lived on the coast, only about an hour’s drive away. The in-laws would often come over and stay on weekends, enjoying fishing and barbecues with us.
The Onset of Marjorie’s Illness
Eventually, they stopped coming over, and every time we visited them, Marjorie was always feeling unwell. She said she was suffering from vertigo and had to lie down. This went on for about 10 months until we realized she was showing early signs of dementia. Bill was trying to conceal it from the family. Marjorie started to wander off from the property, making it hard to keep their secret.
Moving to a New Lifestyle Village
We suggested they sell their property and move closer to us into a new lifestyle village that offered security. The aged care facility next door would provide the services they might eventually need. Marjorie managed to live in the lifestyle village with Bill for only a few months before needing more care. Bill became worn out and stressed, unable to cope with Marjorie wandering outside the home.
Valentine’s Day Tale: A Love That Endures
We arranged for Marjorie to move into a secure ward, with Bill visiting her every day since he lived next door. I worked as a carer in the same facility, allowing me to see her daily and keep an eye on her.
It has been over five years since Marjorie moved into the facility, and Bill visits her every day. He wanders over, and Marjorie sees him through the facility window. They kiss through the glass before he goes inside. Bill brings her chocolates every day if he remembers. Despite Bill’s growing forgetfulness, sometimes visiting Marjorie up to four times a day, she always remembers him. When he visits, she smiles, kisses him, and they hold hands and walk together.
