Love is a Many-Splendored Thing

Yes, that’s a song, and it is a song that comes to mind in February. It’s that time of the year where love is in the air. Heck, love may be everywhere. Love comes in many different forms: Love for your partner, love for your kids, love for your pets, love for your friends. The main component is caring. Have you ever met a couple and you think, “Wow, they seem to have a special love for each other!”

Let’s talk about one of those love stories and how it’s evolved over the years.

Mary and Peter went on a blind date to a Peter, Paul and Mary concert. How cute is that? They fell in love and married in Battle Creek, Michigan on Sept. 17, 1966.

Mary went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing as well as a masters and Ph.D. from Arizona State University (ASU). She worked as a clinical nurse for many years but then went on to serve as the associate dean of undergraduate nursing at her alma mater, ASU. In 2000, Mary created a ceremony for ASU nursing students called Lighting the Lamp: An Affirmation. This ceremony was a tribute to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Peter earned a Ph.D. in psychology and taught at ASU for 40 years. He specialized in studying memory loss. Mary and Peter have two wonderful adult children, Matt and Megan. They raised the kids in the Phoenix area. Matt has given Mary and Peter two grandchildren and Megan has given them three. Ten years ago, Mary and Peter visited Prescott, fell in love with the community, bought a home and began to transition to the north. Then, the unimaginable happened: Mary began to show signs of memory loss. After several tests, she was diagnosed with dementia and white matter disease.

Fast forward to 2021. Mary is now a resident at the Margaret T. Morris Assisted Living Center.

Peter and Mary are still each other’s biggest fans. When Peter walks in the door, Mary rushes in to give him a generous hug. Even though she suffers from severe memory loss, she has not forgotten her love for Peter. You will find them tucked away in a cozy nook looking at pictures or other memorabilia that Peter has brought for the day’s visit. Mary enjoys showing her photos that are in her memory cabinet outside her bedroom door. The neighborhood-style setting within Margaret T. Morris has been beneficial in helping Mary to settle in and make it her home.

You might see the couple enjoying the fresh air and sunshine of the one-acre Strolling Garden. This seems to be the place that rejuvenates Mary. She can be observed reaching down and picking a flower or commenting about the beautiful leaves that have fallen along the path. Nature has such a wonderful way of bringing good feelings. It’s also good for our health and mood.

Mary is not the only one who brightens when they are together. Peter beams when he tells their story and shares about all of Mary’s accomplishments throughout her life. With his strong arm around her shoulder, he includes her in every conversation. Peter shared that he’s ever so grateful for the love he feels that Mary receives from everyone at Margaret T. Morris Center.

So, is love a many-splendored thing? Well, of course it is! When a couple can fall in love, move across the United States, have rewarding careers, raise amazing children and continue their love story despite devastating illness, it is most definitely a many-splendored thing.

Happy Valentine’s Day to Mary and Peter and thank you both for sharing your love with all of us! QCBN

By Candace Lea

Candace Lea, MBA, is the community liaison and marketing person for Adult Care Services. She has worked in the human service and healthcare field for more than 30 years. She also is a local yoga teacher. To learn more about these programs, visit adultcareservices.org.