If not Love?

"I did not find it that exciting," he said, as he walked the other direction. These words seemed to linger in my heart and in my mind as I went on with the rest of my day. Not out of anger or of self-doubt, but out of sheer astonishment.
Referencing an event earlier in the day, one that I hope gives you a glimpse of what it gave me, a good friend of mine made this comment. It was in relation to our visit earlier that day to St. Benedict's Nursing Home in Niles, Illinois. Within the grounds of St. Benedict's live eighty-three men and women, priests and nuns, all of whom God loves immeasurably and completely. They come from different backgrounds, careers, and stories. Some come hurt, and others out of age, each with his or her own identity. As you visit each of these children of God, you see in them the eyes of Christ peering back at you from years of hardship and suffering, and in this we see the paradox of the cross.
While visiting with the different residents I came across Susan, who, though she could not tell me her own name, was able to ask to be taken to her husband. For me this was something beautiful and to be cherished, and in fact I had been told earlier in the day that there was such a couple living at the end of the south wing. We eventually reached the doorway leading into Susan's room and there on their bed was her husband fast asleep. When we entered he slowly rolled over and a smile came across Chester's - that was his name - face as he looked upon his wife. After a bit of small conversation and introductions (Chester as it turns out can communicate much more clearly than Susan), I found out that the two have been married for sixty-five years, and that Chester found his wife more beautiful at ninety-two than he did the day they married. As I was about to depart the two seemed to motioned at one another, and Chester quietly asked me to bring Susan over to his bedside. There the two lovers embraced one another's hands and with the words, "still warm after all these years," Chester laid back down to sleep.
I look forward to spending more time with this couple, and to hearing more of their story. But, as to why I bring it up in the light of my friend's remark, "I did not find it that exciting," well it has to do my astonishment. You see, I want to know, what there is to be excited about, if not Love? True Love! Gift of Self for the Glory of God!