Bethune, you may know a little about this international friend, after all, his name is well-known in Chinese history. In 1939, the Canadian doctor died of sepsis due to overwork in Tang County, Hebei Province, China. But do you know what his last request was? The great doctor, who dedicated his life to medicine and humanitarianism, finally turned out to be a special request for his ex-wife. Below, let's uncover this love story across the ocean and see another side of this great man.
Bethune, this name is a household name in China. As a legend in the medical field, he is not only highly skilled, but also has won the respect of countless people for his selfless spirit and deep affection for the people. But today we're not just talking about his medical skills and feats, but also about his personal life — especially his emotional journey with his ex-wife, Penney.
Imagine a personable Canadian doctor who met a beautiful Irish girl in Edinburgh, England, in the autumn of 1923. He, 33 years old, she, 11 years younger than him, has different backgrounds, but fell in love because of a chance encounter. Yes, this was the first meeting between Bethune and Penney. At that time, Bethune was a man full of adventurous spirit, who liked to drink, was adventurous, and his life was full of all kinds of excitement and vitality. Penny, on the other hand, is an introverted, shy girl who likes to read quietly and enjoy a quiet life.
The two have very different personalities, but they are miraculously attracted to each other. Their love came quickly and violently, and soon they entered the palace of marriage. But life after marriage is not as sweet as it was when they first fell in love. Bethune's adventurous spirit was overwhelming for Penney. I remember one time, Bethune climbed a high slope in a violent storm, looked at the choppy English Channel below, and decided to jump into the sea to swim! This almost crazy behavior frightened Penney and made her deeply feel the difference between them.
Bethune's work attitude is also what makes Penny feel both proud and helpless. He was always busy with his work, treating every patient selflessly, and sometimes even getting up late at night to see the emergency room. This left Penny feeling lonely and neglected. Although she knew that Bethune was doing a great cause, the loneliness and incomprehension in her heart made her feelings more and more complicated.
Over time, cracks began to appear in the couple's marital relationship. The growing tension between Penny's needs and Bethune's career eventually led to their separation. Still, Bethune's concern for Penny did not completely disappear. Even after their divorce, Bethune continued to inquire about Penny's living situation from time to time and helped in any way he could. This complex emotional entanglement makes people sigh, can true love really transcend everything?
Bethune's life was a life full of legends. During his medical career, he not only left a deep footprint in Canada and the United States, but also demonstrated his extraordinary medical skills and noble humanitarian spirit on the battlefield of resistance against Japan in China. His work in China, especially his selfless dedication on the front lines of the war, won the admiration and love of countless Chinese. It can be said that he is a bridge and symbol of friendship between China and Canada.
Just as his life was about to come to an end, he tragically passed away of sepsis in a small village in Tang County, Hebei Province. At such a bleak moment, all he thought of was his ex-wife Penny. In his last letter to Nie Rongzhen, he made a request to ask the International Aid Committee to give his ex-wife Penny a living allowance. This request is not only a concern for a person who once loved deeply, but also a manifestation of responsibility and obligation. Even in the last moments of his life, Bethune still had love for the world in his heart.
This cross-cultural and cross-border love story is full of drama and complexity. Although the relationship between Bethune and Penny did not come together in the end, their story shows us the multifaceted and profound nature of love. In Bethune's heart, Penny was not only his ex-wife, but also an indispensable part of his life. Does this kind of emotion make people feel that even if the world is impermanent, true love can still transcend life and death and remain in the bottom of the heart?