God will give you the strength to face
the lonely days ahead of you,
He will soothe the hurt when you are
feeling blue.
He'll send an Angel to watch over you
when the lights go out and the night is
still,
When the memories tear at the very
fiber of your being, He'll separate the
imaginary from the real.
He knows how you struggled;
keeping up the front for Gerald's sake_
How you worked and were cheerful
till it ached.
How you stayed by his bedside till you
were ready to drop_
But kept right on going, never even
considering that you should stop.
No one has ever been more true to
their marriage vows,
But it would have been beneath your
dignity to have taken any bows.
God knows that through the years and
years of strife,
That you were by nature or design,
the "Super Wife".
You may have thought that everyone's
concern was for Gerald and never for you_
But in spite of what you may have thought
or what we would say, it wasn't true.
We worried and prayed that God would
give you the strength to endure_
Until one day for Gerald, the doctors
would find a miracle cure.
You intimidated us with your
"Complete Control" manner_
We felt so inept, since you wore it
like a banner.
How could "we" mere mortals, have
attempted to voice, advise or suggest
our concern for you, even in fun_
It would have been like Wilbur Wright
attempting to fly "Air Force One".
We gave you mental Awards for Woman
of the "Years"_
Your bravado at times nearly brought
us to tears.
So now Miss Super Stuff will you take
a rest_
You've accomplished your mission and
have fulfilled your "Quest".
I love you and cherish our friendship
more than words can ever say_
Every time I've ever needed support,
be it moral or physical, you've always
been there to save the day.
Sometimes even the strongest have
feet of clay_
So remember, I'll always be here for
you be it night or day.
by
Mary S. Hymel
Copyright © 1989-2001
Written for Gwen Bergeron
as a tribute to her 17 years as
Caregiver for her husband Gerald
1972-1989
