Comfort and Wisdom

“The old man was sleeping peacefully in the bed, and in the hospital room all was quiet except for the occasional clicking of the machine that would dispense medicine for his pain.  Asleep in the chair by his side was his wife of fifty-two years.  The man in the blue suit walked quietly to the bed and leaned over to kiss the cheek of the old man, and then he stroked back the gray hair from the old man’s closed eyes.  A tear rolled down his cheek as he looked upon the old man who was his father. 

He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned and saw his dear mother beside him.  He turned and they embraced in silence for several minutes.  He pulled away from her and saw that her eyes also glistened with tears.  He gently touched her cheek and then kissed her forehead and embraced her once more.  He gave comfort unto the one who had given him comfort so many times in the days of his life.  She had been there to help him with every cut, every bruise, and every broken heart.  She was the one he always called for when he was hurt or sick, and she always came quickly unto him.  Now she needed his strength and his comfort. 

They both sat by the bed of the dying man and both shared silent memories of this fine and loving man.  Whenever he needed advice about repairing his bike or about how to build a fort, he would turn unto his father.  His father had guided him in many decisions in his life for his father was his wellspring of truth and wisdom.  There was great wisdom within the old heart that was now failing the father that he so dearly loved. 

His mother had also given him sound advice, but in so many ways his mother was the heart of the family and his father was the head.  She was love and comfort in times of hurt and in times of sadness and sorrow, and the old man, his dear father, was wisdom and an understanding ear when a boy needed the steady and strong hand of a man.  Comfort and wisdom freely given unto their son to shape and mold him into a man of comfort and wisdom.  Silently the wife and the son loved, and silently they held onto the wellspring that had flowed so freely unto both their lives.”