Love Is Neverending

I think that sometimes we take for granted all the wonderful people, things and experiences that life offers us on a daily basis. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget how truly blessed each of us really is. This story makes me remember that.

By JON MARK BEILUE

Nearly 3 months after a radiant Shea Lowe walked the aisle at her wedding where a beaming Brian Lair waited, hands crossed in front of him, she leaned by his side near his bed Wednesday afternoon.

"Baby, do you want some ice cream?" she asked. "Just give me a thumbs-up if you want some?"

Just more than 100 days ago, they were at First United Methodist Church in Gruver with more than 400 people filling the pews, with eight bridal attendants in purple, with piano and violin music filling the church. On Wednesday, there were a handful in and around quiet Room 115 of BSA Hospice.

There was a big wedding picture of poster size on the wall and some smaller ones surrounding it. Christmas stockings with their names hung nearby as did a few Christmas cards. On a chair, almost hidden, was a small Christmas tree with bubble lights that a neighbor had given them.

Brian, eyes closed, was mostly unresponsive. He hears and understands, but as far as talking, he musters the strength to speak every so often, and then usually just to his wife. And it's nearly always the same words: "I love you and you're beautiful."

Their Sept. 4 wedding, which I chronicled then, was like thousands that first Saturday of September. But it was also like none of them. And that was the lure. That fall evening for those 27-year-olds, their ceremony was beauty and bravery, courage and concern. But most of all, a rare love and faith which few display.

Brian was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July 2008, seven months after the two began dating long distance and three weeks after Shea moved to Amarillo to teach at Woodlands Elementary. They were together through six surgeries, six weeks of radiation, seven months of chemotherapy and a biopsy.

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I consider myself so blessed to have the beautiful wife and wonderful daughter that I have, as well as the countless other people that make life great and I will do my best not to take those things for granted.