Mufty and Bill

Bill and Mufty celebrated 65 years of marriage, August 2022. Being a couple as long as they have, might appear stressful, but weathering storms together, they believe each day of marriage gets better than the last. This couple’s attitude towards living is a blueprint for living together, living life fully looking forward to each day.
Bill and Mufty met at McGill University but waited before their first date. Bill needed six months to gain the courage to ask Mufty out. Bill’s invitation came, knowing the next day, he’d be travelling. If their date went sideways, he wouldn’t need to see her.
Their first date, at age 18 went well.
At McGill, Mufty studied Occupational Therapy. Bill’s challenge with dyslexia caused him to fail Chemistry and Physics his first and second year. Mufty helped him overcome his dyslexia.
Looking back at life together, Mufty says raising children is one of the hardest things she’s done.
Bill admits he lived life using a straightforward plan. But life doesn’t work that way. He thinks he created a gap in his relationship with one son, but believes the rift is mending; estrangement still exists. 
Bill and Mufty live life forward.
Bill says he loves Mufty more every day. Mufty believes living forward takes planning. Bill lives in the present. Mufty realizes she can’t do everything she used to, and the loss is palpable. Bill submits acceptance is the hardest part of aging.
Their decision to marry proved difficult. Mufty explains that they had difficulty painting a room together; how could they be married?
Bill proposed twice.
Mufty said no.  Then she said, “let’s quit.”
Bill stresses they’d do it all again. “It’s been a great trip.”
Both believers in MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying*) their papers are in place: provisions made to end their lives. Their appointed agent makes the decision. They chose an agent who’d honor their wishes. As much as they love life, they don’t want to extend suffering to keep it.
Mufty suggests, “the safest place in her whole world is in Bill’s arms.”
Today they’ve planned a picnic in the river valley, for which Bill needs to go buy bread.  
“Keep looking pretty,” Bill says.
“Thanks Bill.” Mufty says.
 
* For more detailed information on Canada’s MAID law March 17, 2021, consult the MAID webpage justice.gc.ca