Love to the End: A Journey of Faith, Love, and Letting Go

There are moments in life that change us forever.

Watching my husband during his final days in hospice was one of those moments.

Every rise and fall of his chest became precious as I quietly watched over him. I prayed without ceasing, believing God for a miracle while preparing my heart to trust His will. I listened carefully for every deep moan that signaled he was in pain, always ready to press the button that would bring him comfort.

Even in his weakness, my husband never lost his faith.

Whenever I gently asked, "Honey, how do you feel?"

His answer was always the same:

"GLORY!"

Though his voice had become little more than a whisper, that single word echoed loudly in my soul. He remained a gentleman throughout his life, and even more beautifully, a gentleman in death.

Our 39th wedding anniversary was only days away. Excitedly, I reminded him that April 21st was approaching.

With quiet honesty, he replied,

"Baby, I'm not going to make it to this one."

Refusing to surrender hope, I answered,

"Baby, don't say that. You will make it."

By the grace of God, he did.

That morning I joyfully told him,

"David, you made it! Thank you for holding on. It's April 21st—our 39th wedding anniversary!"

He slowly opened his eyes, looked at me for a moment, winked one eye, and blew me a kiss.

It was the greatest anniversary gift I could have received.

That simple moment became a testimony that faith can carry us over what seems impossible.

Then came the day I had prayed would never arrive.

On April 24, 2018, my sisters, Brenda and Darlene, had just arrived from the airport. As we sat around the room sharing memories, something stirred within me.

I rushed to his bedside just as he took one deep breath.

His chest rose higher than it had in days...

...and I knew.

I had watched him breathe for two weeks.

I knew the rhythm of the man I loved.

This was his final breath.

I leaned close and whispered into his ear,

"I love you, and I am so proud of you. You have entered the presence of the Lord."

Later, my sisters asked,

"How did you know?"

I simply answered,

"I had learned the rhythm of the man I loved."

Even in that sacred moment, he showed his loving heart.

I truly believe he waited until my sisters arrived so I would not have to walk that painful moment alone.

The days that followed were filled with tears, anger, confusion, and unimaginable loneliness.

After thirty-nine years of marriage, losing my husband felt like losing a part of myself.

We had become one flesh, and when he left this earth, it felt as though a part of me left with him.

Grief has a way of making you question who you are. I struggled to find my voice and rediscover my purpose. Adjusting to life without him became one of the hardest journeys I have ever faced.

There were days when I felt completely empty—as though the very marrow had been drained from my bones.

But God...

When I had no strength left, He carried me.

In His infinite mercy, He breathed life into my dry bones.

Little by little...

Hope returned.

Purpose returned.

My voice returned.

Out of my deepest pain, God birthed a new calling.

He led me to write My PoeTree with Love—a collection of poems rooted in faith, love, loss, healing, and hope.

Every poem is a reminder that God can take our brokenness and grow something beautiful from it.

Through my pain, I discovered my purpose.

Through my weakness, I found His strength.

Through my brokenness, I found His healing.

Through my grief, I found His peace.

Love doesn't end when a heartbeat stops.

True love lives on through memories, faith, and the legacy we leave behind.

My husband's life continues to inspire me, and his unwavering declaration of "GLORY!" still echoes in my heart today. Sometimes the greatest love story isn't about holding on...

It's about loving faithfully—to the very end.

With Love & Prayer,

Gail D. Engram

Author • Intercessor • Leader