Seldom is the final journey of love between two vulnerable seniors highlighted in our media feeds. After 67 years of marriage, COVID-19 created an untenable situation for my parents. Mom, recovering from a recent stroke, lived “independently” but separately from Dad, newly placed on hospice in the same facility. When lockdowns eliminated our participation in their care and illuminated systemic failures, we moved them to our home in Azle, TX.

Although I had been in regular and increasingly significant contact with my parents throughout their lives, nothing could have prepared me for the transformation that I was to witness, not only in their health and mental state, but also their relationship with each other and my relationship with them. Almost immediately, I began photographing what we all thought were their final days together.

Upon arrival, dad weighed 106# at 6’1” and mom struggled to stand from a seated position. It was touch and go for a few weeks, but slowly they both saw recovery as a possibility. Newly reunited, I discovered my parents devotion to one another. Rarely were they separated more than a few feet. They moved as one unit canvassing the driveway, hallway, and dock with their walkers, often spooning one another as they slept.

I witnessed dad at his essence. He sought the sunshine, and was observant to the wonders of his world. He was immensely at peace being in mom’s presence. Mom was more complicated. She struggled to accept the confines of Covid and the inevitability of their future. She often shared that she feared being a burden and dreamed of returning to their former lifestyle.

Following daddy’s sudden death, mom quickly faded in health and mental state. Simple tasks became impossible and lead to her death a brief two months later. They gifted me nearly a year to capture their story of love, fear, vulnerability, and intimacy with each other. Even in death, they chose to stay together.