And yet …

There they are now, she and her husband. Her father has passed away quite unexpectedly at the age of 99. They have just said their final goodbyes to him at the crematorium. It was difficult for her.

Admittedly, they hadn’t visited him very often since he’d been in the care home. They’d visited him most frequently in hospital, where he’d been admitted at the ages of 78 and 83 following a stroke, had undergone hip surgery at 86, and had broken a leg and an arm at 92 following a fall. And, of course, they’d also popped in to see him briefly at all the rehabilitation clinics. After each incident, the senior consultant assured them that everything was now fine, well managed, and that he would surely reach a biblical age! And since he’d had his cataracts operated on and was wearing a hearing aid, he could watch television and do crossword puzzles without any trouble. And apart from having become a little forgetful, he was in excellent mental shape. And in this lovely company of people his own age, he certainly wouldn’t feel lonely. And the lovely staff, who were extremely friendly and helpful, contributed greatly to his well-being …

And yet, quite unexpectedly, he passed away one night. It was not until the following morning that they were tactfully informed by the care home chaplain. He asked them if there was anything he could do to support them.

They now stand there in silence, feeling completely helpless. And slowly it dawns on them that they had believed in something impossible.