From his hospital bed this morning (one-day stay for a minor procedure), Dad asked me to please help him with flowers and a cake for Mom’s birthday. She is turning 75 this weekend.

Once at the store, I had to send multiple pictures of options to him before he was satisfied. A few times during the tedious process, I was tempted to explain to him he really just needed to focus on his health and, if we didn’t get all of this accomplished, Mom wouldn’t know the difference anyway.

Thankfully, I thought better of that. And I was especially grateful I did after I got Dad home from the hospital…after I watched him so very happily show Mom her flowers and cake…several times…and watched as each time (only minutes apart) was effectively the first time for her.

She thought everything was so beautiful…over and over again. She was so pleased. She felt so loved. And she was so right. Especially about that last part. And especially by him.

Today, I watched a man love a woman; I watched a 77-year-old man love a woman he has loved since he was a 14-year-old boy. Been crazy about actually. And the only love I know in this world that rivals his love for her is hers for him.

Today, I watched a man who cannot change a cruel circumstance, one he would give everything right up to his life to change, take full advantage of that circumstance.

Today, I watched Dad use Mom’s dementia to give her more than one surprise birthday ‘party’; and I watched in awe the loveliest of loves magically commandeer a whole lot of sorrow and suffering in order to multiply a special woman’s joy.

Today, I was reminded nothing has to be wasted. I was reminded things like faith, perspective, attitude, devotion, and love are far more important to true joy and peace than any circumstance could ever be.

I do know there is real ugliness in this world. I cannot deny that.

But oh my, in this same world, there is such stunning, breathtaking beauty all around.

May we pay attention.

And may we be good to one another.