Indefinitely yours
Marion's story
Samuel and I met under rather strange circumstances, two years after he began medical school. He was on his way to pick up his little sister when he fell and hit the pavement. He woke up, surrounded by a lot of people. I was one of them and couldn’t help but approach him. He had received quite a blow to the side of his head. “Excuse me. I’m a medical student, coming through please” I told the crowd as I pushed my way in. I have always liked taking care of people, hence why I study medicine. Samuel had a nasty fall and looked like he would need to go to the hospital. I believe my mind was on the automatic mode that day, and I just went through each step so that I could make him feel safe.“Hello, my name is Marion. I will take care of you until the ambulance gets here. Do you have a blurry vision? I asked. “No, I’m absolutely fine, it was just a silly fall, I don’t need an ambulance. I have to go now” he said nervously. “You can’t go. You have a concussion, and you’re bleeding from a nasty cut on your forehead which will probably mean about 10 stitches. Trust me, I know, I’m in my last year of medical school” I replied sternly. “Yes I know, I heard it the first time you mentioned it. Look, I promise to come with you to the hospital and get this checked but first I have to pick up my little sister from school. She will frantically worry, and she’s only eight”. He said. I slowly helped him up, and we walked to my car. “I will help you pick up your sister and then take you to the hospital. How does that sound?” I asked while holding his arm. “You’re very kind, thank you,” he replied. We got to my car, which was only about five minutes away, and I gently helped him in. “Ok, I will put this compress on your head, it will help relieve the pain. I always carry medical supplies with me” I told him. “Ah, yes, I remember. You’re a medical student, and so am I by the way” he said while slowly trying to turn his head towards me. “Oh my gosh, that’s such a coincidence”, I said surprised. “Well, I would like to believe that it was just a silly accident due to my clumsiness, but if you insist, I will gravitate towards coincidence,” he said with a smile.
Samuel was the most beautiful man. Tall, medium build, with olive skin and golden hair. His eyes were dark green, and I remember he had the most melancholic look about him. I was immediately enchanted with his gentle demeanour and witty sense of humour. He had been studying medicine for two years and wanted to become a cardiologist. “I'm impressed. A cardiologist. What made you want to choose that? I asked while approaching his sister's school. “That's a long story. Maybe one day I will tell you all about it” he said.
Eloise was the most precious little girl. She ran up to Samuel and was worried sick when he told her about the accident. “Samuel, you have to get to the hospital and get that checked. Common, you’re a doctor, you should know better. Isn’t that right?”, asked Eloise while looking in my direction. “ Of course” I replied. Samuel looked at both of us and shook his head in accordance “Ok. We will go now. How can I say no to my little Florence Nightingale?”, he said as he squeezed her cheeks.
We got to the hospital, and it didn't take long for Samuel to be seen by the nurses. I stayed with Eloise in the waiting room. I bought a snack for her, and we sat there and talked. “You're very pretty, like a sunflower. I bet my brother finds you really attractive. Do you think he's hot?” asked Eloise. She was a lovely down to earth little girl. She had the most beautiful eyes and was very direct and genuine. “Well, let's say your brother is very handsome, and maybe even dare to say that he's a little bit my type. Let's keep it a secret though shall we, just between the two of us? I said. “No trouble there. I always keep secrets and never tell. You can trust me” she said as she winked her right eye. “He seems to love you very much,” I told her. “He does. Samuel is like my dad. Our mother died when she was giving birth to me, and my brother has always taken good care of us” she said. For a moment, I paused so that I could grasp what she was telling me. I could have never imagined someone having to take on that amount of responsibility at such a young age. It felt quite overwhelming to know the kind of man he was. “He takes care of my grandmother too. She’s still in good health, well better than what she was. For a while, her health had deteriorated, but she's a fighter. Now we play together, and she always helps me with my homework”, she said. “I'm so glad to hear that. Maybe one day I will get to meet her. She sounds like a lovely lady”, I replied. “She's amazing,” she remarked.
Samuel walked out to meet us. He looked much better, and they had put in a few stitches. “Hello, girls. You will be glad to know that I only have a mild concussion. It actually looks worse than what it is. They gave me something for the pain, and now I'm good to go. They did say I shouldn't drive for a few days, so I guess that means I may need a replacement driver. Any suggestions?” he asked, looking at me. “Marion can you be his driver?” asked Eloise with the most endearing eyes. “I will have to think about it. Ok I've thought about it for one minute, and the answer is yes”, I said with a smile. Samuel had made a big impression on me that day. There was something about him that made me want to get to know him more. I wasn't going to ignore what I was feeling. Life is too short.
For the following weeks, Samuel and I spent a lot of time together. We would have picnics in the park where we would talk about everything. Then spend time at his house with Eloise and his grandmother Felicity. I felt so at ease in his presence, like I could really be myself. We had so many things in common and laughed so much together. Samuel would talk a lot about his mum, and I admired the love he had for her. He told me how she had passed away, giving birth to Eloise when he was only twelve years old. It broke my heart to think of how much he had to do in order to keep it together. He went through very difficult times and fought so hard to care for his sister and grandmother. One day we were both sitting on a park bench, and he really opened up to me. “ I remember the day my mother passed away. She was so happy to be having a little girl. We were both looking forward to having a new member in our family. I had always wanted a little sister. She would always tell me that I was her favourite boy in the world, and that meant everything to me. I know that her love kept me going in the hardest moments, especially when dad left us. Then one day, everything changed. I lost her in the space of a day, and there was nothing I could do. I felt helpless; all I could think about was that I had to be strong for Eloise. I promised my mother I would never let her down. I hope I did a good job. I feel that I have. ”, he told me with tears in his eyes.
I held Samuel in my arms for as long as he allowed me to that day. At that moment, I fell completely in love with him, and I knew he would be the man I would marry. Two years later, we married in the most beautiful cottage down by the sea. Eloise and grandma Felicity were our bridesmaids, and we invited only a small group of people. We wanted something simple and intimate. It was perfect, and we were so happy.
The years that followed were wonderful. Samuel finished medical school and then went on to study further in order to become a cardiologist. We bought a big house together. Eloise and grandma Felicity came to live with us. Life was perfect, and I was happy to be spending my life next to a man I adored. We decided to try for a baby and were overjoyed when I got pregnant on the first try. I couldn't believe it; I felt like I was living a fairytale. It was all too good to be true. I soon discovered that life could sometimes stop you in its tracks and drive you towards places of profound pain. Without warning, it hits you out of the blue, and changes everything.
In the space of three years, I had lost four of my babies. My first pregnancy never got to be full term as I suffered a miscarriage at 12 weeks gestation. My second pregnancy didn't reach 10 weeks before I had another miscarriage. The last one was twins which I lost at sixteen and a half weeks. I was absolutely devastated, and had to be in the hospital for nearly ten days as my body had become so weak. I remember staring out of the window in disbelief, my pregnancy hormones still raging. I was numb with pain, and my soul had been left shattered. The tiredness and emotional turmoil had set in. Samuel and I were deeply saddened. All I ever wanted was to be a mother, and no matter how much I tried, I had no control over these events. I blamed myself as I couldn’t blame anyone else. I felt so guilty that my body wasn’t good or strong enough to carry a baby. I thought I was a complete failure. Up until that moment, I had been so strong, but this had destroyed my heart and taken me to the depths of depression. Samuel was my rock through it all. He never left my side, and although his heart was broken too, he became strong for both of us. It took me two years before I could feel myself again. I had to let go of the past and heal my wounds. I promised myself that I would never lose hope.
That same year I became pregnant with a little girl. I was 28 and had her at 29. We named her Abby Rose, and she was perfect. We were overjoyed that life had finally given us the chance to become parents. Eloise fell in love with her the moment she saw her and looked after her like a sister. We were a family, and nothing else was more important than that. Samuel adored Abby, and Grandma Felicity was head over heels. We were the happiest we could be for the next fifteen years. Our life was perfect. Our family was safe and well. We had big Christmas parties and Easter holidays were full of fun little adventures. We travelled and visited the most beautiful shores in the world. Together we were content, and each one of us looked out for each other. Then one evening, everything changed once again. I can vividly remember the day I visited the doctor. Abby had just turned 15 and celebrated her party the night before. She had invited David and was so thrilled to see him. He was her best friend from school.
Samuel came with me. I had been having excruciating back pain for quite some time and thought best to have it checked. The diagnosis wasn't good. I held my husband's hand as if it were the last time. He felt my fear and took me in his arms. “Whatever the doctors say to you today, don't worry because I will never leave your side, no matter what. You will always be the love of my life, and we will get through this,” he said. I looked into his eyes and told him that I loved him more than ever.
The diagnosis was that I had a degenerative disease called Muscular Dystrophy, and this would deeply affect my quality of life. Eventually, I would end up in a wheelchair, not being able to walk. I felt at that moment that my life would be cut short. I had a feeling that I would leave this earth at a young age; I was now 44 and already in a delicate state. Maybe I was wrong, but that day I promised myself that I would love with every inch of my heart and be the best wife and mother. I would live my life as if there were no tomorrow, and make those around me happy. I promised myself that no matter what this disease would not break my spirit. I had fought ardent battles before, and this time I was choosing love. I was choosing to love life. To love me. No matter the circumstances or the frailty of my body, my strength would fight through every single obstacle.
Samuel became my heart and soul; he helped me in every way he could. Abby, Eloise and Grandma Felicity were all the people I needed in order to be happy. Life may take away, yet give so much in return. My daughter held me that day for hours. I felt so safe in her arms. “Are you afraid of what's to come?” I asked her. “No. I will take care of you. Always and forever”. she replied. “Thank you bumblebee,” I said while she held me close to her heart.
