A Husband’s Love & Devotion

By Blessed Encounters Ministry

Bob, a newer member of the St. Max community, talks lovingly about Pat, his wife of 58 years. She has been in a nursing home with memory care since February.

"She is a good wife and she's a good mother. Still is."

Pat, who once took care of her children and husband, is now in a wheelchair, has difficulty communicating, needs to be fed, and relies on others for her basic needs. Bob still sees the woman he loves, who has given him a wonderful married life and who has been with him for nearly 60 years. Even in her weakness, she is still a good wife and mother and deserves good care, dignity, and respect.

Bob spends every single day at the nursing home with Pat, tirelessly attending to her and being with her from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. He says the hardest part of the day is leaving her at night. He tried to care for her at home, but it was too difficult and he couldn't do it alone. It's a beautiful love story of self-giving love, an imitation of Jesus crucified, but in daily life.

Even though Pat cannot take care of others, she still has value and worth, because she was created by God and is loved by God. Bob suffers heartache, loneliness, uncertainty, worry, long days, and adult grandkids who don't visit Grandma. But he has a strong faith that God has a purpose in this suffering, and he trusts in that purpose. He is strengthened by daily Mass, Rosary and prayer, and daily surrender to God.

Bob is a wonderful witness that life is precious from conception to natural death. Bob still sees Pat not as a burden, but as a good wife and mother and his lifelong partner. Together, they live the example of the sanctity of life and marriage, even as one of them struggles in health.

St. Max Blessed Encounter ministers have supported Bob and Pat on this journey. Please pray for Bob and Pat, that God gives them strength and peace.

To learn more about this ministry, visit https://www.saint-max.org/ouministries/blessed-encounters.