Julia's lovely Valentine

In the last 3 days I've had 3 older couples in, all trying to navigate their end with grace and love. All in their 80's, each have one of the couple who is deteriorating more rapidly, yet it's not clear who will go first. Julia was in today. At 83, she has always been the least "doctoring" of the two. While her husband, Jack, 85, checked his blood pressure daily and followed doctor's recommendations to a "T", she stayed away, allowing her blood pressure to be uncontrolled, not taking medication, and being a feisty woman who refused to age. But now her husband is fading. He is losing weight, tests are disclosing no diagnosis, and the only label that fits is "the dwindles". It is the genetic card, the strength of being a woman that is in her favor. She is vigorous and of good humor. Now she is taking her medication, but I suspect that it is so that she can keep her health together enough to take care of Jack in his final days. Today, dressed in a classic suit and not a hair out of place, she shared the beautiful Valentine that she received from Jack, and the deep meaning it had for her. 54 years of marriage has not dimmed the love between this couple. And now she is ready to return his Valentine, by being there through whatever it takes in Jack's final days, weeks, or years.