At first, I chuckled when I finally noticed after two years just how short Marylee was compared to her husband John. The evidence was clear as their arms wrapped around each other to slow dance as the chorus of performers serenaded couples with the sentimental favorite, "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You."
Then I simply smiled because, after a stroke, every dance is a celebration, no matter who leads or who follows, who stands or who sits, who laughs and who cries. It's such a beautiful scene to witness.
It takes a lot of love, commitment, sheer determination, compromise and a healthy dose of stubbornness for a couple to survive the challenges of a stroke. Sadly, not all marriages or relationships make it.
It's not easy, but Marylee and John have learned a lot and taught each other much more since John's stroke eight years ago, and continue to do so every day. So had the other couples here at Stroke Camp—that John and Marylee founded—couples that partnered well despite what may be the survivor's weakness or slowness or how they learn to sway to the music again. All that mattered was that two hearts were intertwined, that they could enjoy the beauty of a dance among new and old friends, a simple pleasure most of us take for granted, but a rare treasure for those fight their way back from a stroke.
Yes, I could have watched them dance all night all because I couldn't help falling in love with life again.
(Find out more about Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp at www.strokecamp.org)
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