What is Love in Sickness and Health?

Expressing love comes easily when your mate is immaculately attired, with perfume or cologne on, a set of brushed pearly white brushed teeth and minty fresh breath. What occurs with love and romance when a mate is battling a critical or chronic illness?

On January 18^th, 2011, Diane Sawyer, an ABC television news anchor of World News, is airing a one hour taped special, speaking with Captain Mark Kelly. Captain Mark Kelly's wife is Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Gabrielle Giffords was a targeted victim of a horrendous mass shooting incident in Tucson, Arizona on January 8^th, 2011. She suffered a critical brain injury and is fighting for her recovery at University Medical Center in Tucson. The, "Daily News," newspaper and, ABC television news, among others, has been keeping the public updated on her progress. Six victims died and thirteen injured, with Gabrielle Gifford being the most serious.

Captain Mark Kelly is a NASA astronaut and was scheduled to be the commander of the next space shuttle to the space station in April, but rushed to his wife's side as soon as he heard. Captain Mark Kelly has been steadfast and loyal, remaining by Gabrielle Giffords bedside, being his wife's support and offering an endless well of love. Their marriage, which came later in life, has been reported to be a gift of love for both of them. Now Mark Kelly and Gabrielle Giffords true test of marital love is being forced on them with Gabrielle's critical trauma.

Captain Mark Kelly has reported Gabrielle Giffords is showing her own signs of love and caring, even offering him a neck rub and playing with his wedding band, both activities she performed to show him her gift of love. She's in an Intensive Care Unit, with a critical brain injury and is still showing her love and affection towards her husband. Captain Mark Kelly, even with all the physical and mental stress he has to be enduring, has updated the public about his wife's health and recovery daily, and now has chosen to give a lengthy interview with Diane Sawyer.

True love can be challenged and tested when you have to travel over that, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters." Giving 110% when your mate can offer minimum or nothing in return, can be a valid test of love. How many people can stand up and say I truly loved my mate or family member when it was the most difficult experience in their life?

I can report I truly loved when I devoted my time taking care of my mother while she battled cancer. I truly loved when I took care of my ill children in the middle of the night when I was also suffering from a serious, chronic illness. I recently spoke to a friend who is caring for an ill parent, and while we spoke I felt the love she had for her parent, as she shared her story. I spoke to another friend whose daughter is battling a serious disease, and she shared her love and her daughter's husband's love as they supported their daughter and wife respectively.

As Captain Mark Kelly and Gabrielle Giffords travel over their own, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," at this moment in time, may their love story continue to endure, through sickness and health.

I pray you never have to be in their situation, but I hope you share a love with someone who would gladly jump in that fire for you, and walk without resentment over that, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."

You can find further information on Diane Sawyer and her interview with Captain Mark Kelly about his wife Gabrielle Giffords at the following link.

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/DianeSawyer/

You can also view the video and lyrics to, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," by Simon and Garfunkel at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjNgn4r6SOA