I am a single woman, and I have been single for a very long time. I spent my late teens, twenties, and early thirties involved with different men, but I have never actually been in love. I’ve never experienced it.
There have been times in my life when I’ve really wanted to meet someone, but then there’s now — where, in my heart of hearts, I know I will never fall in love. I’m not open to it, and it’s not about low self-esteem — it’s just this quiet, certain knowing that there isn’t a man alive who could really love me.
It would also be incredibly inappropriate and irresponsible for me to get involved with someone now. I know that probably sounds like I have some kind of nasty disease — like cancer or Alzheimer’s — but it’s nothing like that. In some ways, it’s worse.
The reason I mention this is because, having never been in love myself, at 42 years old, I had almost completely lost faith that it even exists. But today, I witnessed two examples of true love, and I wanted to share them with you here.
The first is about love enduring a shocking tragedy.
The parents of Jake and Callum Robinson, the two Australian men murdered in Mexico, spoke to the media today, and it was absolutely heartbreaking to watch. Their father, Martin, remained composed, but seeing their mother, Debra Robinson, speak was gut-wrenching.
Martin was the ultimate support for her — he put his arm around her as she spoke, and when they had finished, they held each other and walked away together. It was such a horrible thing they were doing, something they should never have had to face — and yet, you could see the deep love they have for one another.
I bet they are each other’s anchor through this, and it was just so clear.
Debra said something that I found to be incredibly powerful:
"Please live bigger. Shine brighter. And love harder in their memory." - Debra Robinson.
The second demonstration of true love I saw today was when I was at the hospital visiting Nanny. She had been in a private room because they had her in isolation for an illness I’m not even sure she had, but now she’s back in a bay with four people in total.
In the bed across from her was an older lady who was obviously very unwell, and her husband had come to see her. She was sitting up in a chair, and he had his arms completely around her, holding her as though he was protecting her from the world. He leaned in close, talking softly into her ear, and he was so gentle and loving with her.
She looked very incapacitated, but he stayed there, speaking to her, reassuring her, and holding her close. It was one of those moments where you catch your breath without realising it — watching this quiet, unspoken connection between two people who have clearly shared a lifetime together.
I looked at them and found myself wondering how many years they’ve been together, what challenges they’ve faced, and the life they’ve built between them. It was true love — steady, deep, and enduring.
And although I don’t want that for myself, I sometimes wonder what it must feel like to be loved like that.
While I was leaving the hospital tonight, I noticed the following displayed on the wall:
I’ve seen a lot of this kind of thing in different workplaces I’ve temped in over the years. I remember when I was at journalism college — near the reception desk, they had a photo wall based on this exact same idea, where all the staff put up pictures of their pets. Some of the students added theirs too.
When I was leaving tonight, I discovered the following on the ground floor:
The Department of Health is actually selling this artwork, which I think is wonderful. I really hope the artist finds some buyers through the hospital.
There’s a lot happening at Modbury Hospital at the moment. Nanny has one more day left there, and then she’ll be moving into permanent care. Her daughter said it’s a beautiful place, and I truly hope Nanny finds some happiness and peace there.
