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Terry was already at the end of the fourth stage of Parkinson’s disease.  With her jaw locked,
teeth  out, and tongue partially paralyzed to the side of her mouth, it was becoming more and
more of a challenge to decipher her simple requests ("more ginger ale please").  And though
she tried real hard to hide her frustration you could certainly see it in her face, hear it in her
voice, and read it in her eyes.  In time, those requests became fewer and farther between.

She had been dozing in and out of consciousness for the last couple of days.  Last night she
stirred and, by default, I looked over to check on her.  I thought she was hallucinating again
because after her eyes opened she lifted her head, looked straight down the dark hallway and
lit it up with a toothless smile.  This time though, her eyes seemed to sparkle as she raised her
hand to her mouth, gently kissed her crooked fingers and blew.  It was a little unnerving, but I
followed the kiss and watched as it met her husband, Jim, who was smiling back at her.  But
when he saw that I had noticed him, he quickly disappeared back into his room and closed the
door.   I looked back at Terry who had drifted easily back into her sleep.  I continued my vigilant
watch.  It was a while before her mouth erased that smile.  Her dreams, if she had them, must
be pleasant.  I’m sure Jim was the last picture of reality she had in her mind.

This was a moment of true love accidentally shared.  I felt like the proverbial fly on the wall.

This episode has been permanently branded on my mind…and in my heart.  She was only in my
life for about 10 days, but she touched me so deeply.  After I learned she had passed, one tear
lingered in my eye and then, as quietly as Terry left us, that single tear effortlessly slipped out,
passing down my cheek and was gone.