By Cynthia M. Hamond
My mother isn't speaking to my father．She hasn't spoken to him in five years，and for that，my father is truly grateful．
I was crying last time she did speak to him．I saw the exchange though I could not hear the words．His whisperings，her whisperings．
The two of them silhouetted against the window light at the end of the long hall．My father leaning over my mother's，pressed forehead to forehead．The word“Surgery”on the doors behind them forming a caption for the picture they made．Hands clasped together as if believing they held each other's hearts．As longingly as the first time they had reached for each other，as desperately as two lovers being forced apart．
Being forced to part on this day of life and death．
They had made the decision together，to do or die．．．to do and die．These two who had lived for and in each other's dreams these past forty years．
My mother had a disease that was cutting the blood flow to her brain．It was deteriorating her life and it would take it in three years．Her life could be prolonged if the surgery was done now． Twelve brave hearts had gone before her but only three of them had walked away．
I watched their process of decision making，both prayerful in the face of death．My mother wanting to live，wanting to try，the churning and turning until there was peace．
How brave we knew she was；we three sisters gathered around her hospital bed feeling time pushing us toward her fate the next day．We were quick to smile，slow to leave，hoping our“Good nightswere not our good-byes．
Our father was left to keep his prayerful，living vigil．It was painful to leave him that night，too
painful to think of him alone．But he reminded us that he would not be alone，at least for that night，he had his Love．
And morning came．We gathered and prayed．We kissed our mother，hugged our father and then followed her gurney until we were told that only one of us could go any farther．
My father continued to walk alongside her as he always had．Two people who had stood together against all odds．My mother orphaned at a young age and moved place to place．My father the youngest of nine in a family hurt with poverty．
They had found their home in each other．
We children were loved in their home．Given by these two what they had not been given in their own childhood：safety，nurturing，moral guid- ance．
We knew that we were created from their love but that their love was an entity separate from us，a circle complete within itself．
I see the kiss，the parting．My mother wheeled through the door，alone．My father， his back to me，placed his hand on that door， prayed for love and strength and hoped to the woman on the other side．
He turned and walked slowly towards me． The sunrise lit his face and I glimpsed the depth of this man's love，the love of GREat self-sacrificing．A love so great that he was willing to bear the pain of being the one to walk alone．
And though surrounded by our love，my father walked alone for the two weeks we waited out her coma，the months of doubt and rehabil- itation．
In the end，my mother had lost her speech but she had won her fight to live．
She has not spoken to my father for five years，and for that，he is truly grateful．
无尽的恩爱
母亲不能和父亲说话了。过去的五年中，她从未开口与他说话，然而，父亲仍为此充满感激。
我含泪目睹了他们两人之间最后的一次交谈，依依惜别，喃喃低语，虽然我什么也没听见。
父亲俯在母亲所躺的病床边，彼此额头紧贴，紧握着对方的手仿佛紧握着对方的心，恰似他们当年那样渴望得到对方，又如同一对恋人被强行拆散时那样地绝望。二人的身影好像一幅剪影投射在长廊上，身后“手术室''三个字构成了这一画面的字幕。
在生死攸关之际被拆散。
接受手术或是等死？接受手术能免一死吗？这对四十年来朝朝相伴，暮暮相守，心心相印，你中有我、我中有你的伴侣，在这生死攸关之际，他们做出了关乎生死的决定。
母亲患的是脑血栓，这凶险的疾病有可能在三个月内夺走她的生命。现在立即手术有希望延长她的生命，可是，在她之前十二个人接受这种手术，仅有三人活了下来。
母亲要拚搏，渴望活下去。父亲踌躇不决，思前想后，翻来覆去，直到内心平静。我目睹了他们做决定的始末以及他们面对死亡的祈祷。
我们深知母亲是何等的勇敢。姐妹三人围着母亲的病床，感受着母亲明天的命运在分分秒秒逼近。我们面带微笑，不愿离去，祈求我们的晚安道别不会成为诀别。
父亲一人留下来通宵祷告守护。留下他一人我们很痛苦，想到他独自一人，无人相伴，我们的心都要碎了。但父亲提醒我们，他并不是孤独一人，至少今晚他仍拥有他的至爱。
第二天早晨，我们聚在一起祷告，与母亲吻别，与父亲拥抱，伴随着母亲的推床直至手术室外。
父亲一如既往地走在母亲的身旁，如同二人昔日承受所有的患难。母亲幼年时就成了孤儿，四处漂流；父亲兄弟姊妹九个，也曾饱受贫困之苦。
他们彼此在对方找到了家。在他们的家里，我们得到了爱；在他们的家里，他们给予了我们他们童年从未得到的———安全感，养育关怀和品德教育。
我们深知，我们是他们爱情的结晶，不过，即使没有我们，他二人的爱也已经是完美无瑕，毫无缺憾的了。
父母的亲吻，惜别至今仍历历在目。母亲被缓缓地推进手术室，没有父亲的陪伴。父亲手扶在手术室门外，背对着我，为着手术室里他心爱的女人祈求上帝的慈爱、力量和希望。
他转过身，缓慢地向我走过来，阳光照在父亲的脸上，我捕捉到的是一位男子汉博大高深的爱，奉献舍己的爱，这爱的伟大能够使这位男子汉独自走完余下的人生道路。
这两个星期，我们都盼望着母亲从昏迷中醒过来。虽然有我们的爱伴随，父亲还是得在没有母亲陪伴的情况下，孤身一人熬过这两周和接下来数月的忐忒不安和康复等待期。
最终，母亲战胜了死亡，虽然她再也不能开口说话。
母亲五年都不能开口和父亲说话，尽管如此，他仍然感激不尽。
