20年的守护 痴情老翁感动世界

For 20 years, Rocky Abalsamo sat beside his wife's grave, through every snowstorm and every birthday, to ensure the love of his life was never lonesome. At long last, the loving pair will finally reunite, resting in peace together.

Abalsamo died on Wednesday at the age of 97 and is set to be buried beside his wife, Julia “Julita” Echeverria Abalsamo

Abalsamo's devotion to Julia first received national attention in 2000, when the Boston Globe reported on the husband's ongoing vigil to his wife of 55 years. At that point, Abalsamo had been watching over his partner for seven years; Julia died in 1993 due to complications from heart surgery.

Devastated by Julia's passing, Abalsamo built a routine around her. Each morning he would walk to St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, Mass., open his lawn chair next to Julia's plot, greet his wife and then stay beside her, without breaks for food or water, until the cemetery closed for the evening. Before returning home, Abalsamo would sprinkle crumbs on Julia's gravesite so the animals would keep his wife company.

"She is part of me, so here I am whole," Abalsamo told the Boston Globe in 2000. "Being here makes me feel better. Not good, but better. I do it for Julita, and for myself."

The story attracted strangers, who quickly became friends. The curious, concerned and lovelorn would stop by to give the man blankets and extra clothes, and help decorate Julia's grave. In exchange, Abalsamo shared stories of his undying romance and helped advise others on matters of love.

Abalsamo maintained his daily visits until 2005, when a death in the family encouraged him to spend more time among his living loved ones. He still continued to visit Julia regularly until falling ill in July of last year.

Following Abalsamo's request, his family will bury him at the left side of Julia's plot, because this was his side when the couple walked together. Now, after 20 years of waiting, Abalsamo and his love are side by side for eternity.

【新闻快讯】

一名97岁的阿根廷老翁自1993年妻子去世后，20年来每日风雨无阻地到亡妻墓地守墓，令人感动不已。

阿巴沙姆(Rocky Abalsamo)1993年经历丧妻之痛，20年来，每日风雨无阻地到亡妻朱莉塔(Julita Abalsamo)的墓地“相伴”，守墓时几乎不吃不喝，坦言这能让自己的心情好一点。

他去年7月到过亡妻墓地后一病不起，最终于本月22日病逝，将与妻子合葬，永不分离。

阿巴沙姆年轻时在阿根廷一家咖啡店邂逅朱利塔，背对背而坐。他偷听到朱利塔与朋友讨论何谓灵魂、生命，未窥见她的外表就被其内涵深深吸引，决意要结识她。

二人在1937年9月16日初吻，阿巴沙姆每年都会庆祝这个日子。他们翌年4月结婚，其后生下一子一女，1971年随子女移居美国，翌年定居波士顿。

夫妇俩结婚55年，生活美满，可惜朱利塔1993年接受心脏手术，因并发症死亡。

阿巴沙姆伤心欲绝，决定每日守墓，由墓园开门一直坐到关门，下雨天就撑伞守墓。

这个感人故事曾被全球传媒报道，阿巴沙姆受访时说：“(妻子)是我的一部分，来这里我才感到自己是完整的。”