American Idol

My guilty pleasure is that I watch American Idol - regularly. I love to hear beautiful music come from unexpected places, and people. When a mountainous voice comes out of the mouth of teeny, tiny, sixteen year old girl who looks like she should barely be able to muster a whisper -- I smile. When a nerd sings opera or a geek rocks out, I smile again.

One of this season's sagas is about a young man with a beautiful voice who was engaged to a vital, intelligent, active woman. She, tragically suffered serious brain injury in an accident and is wheelchair bound and has difficulty communicating.

The Idol contestant says, "I was about to make vows just two months from the accident – through thick and thin, 'til death do us part, for better or worse,' he said. What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most?"

He stands by her side; he sings for her.

I have tried to imagine myself and my sweetie in their roles in their situation. I discovered that I honestly have no idea what I would do. Would I stand by my man -- and for how long? Would I make sure my man was well cared for in a facility and visit as often as possible? Would I still be able to sing? If I were brain damaged, would I want my sweetie to stick by me; or would I want him to move on? Would his presence be too much of a painful reminder of what we were supposed to have? Or would his steadfastness give me courage?

What are your thoughts? Do you know what you would do if you were the man? or the brain damaged partner?