91-year-old husband sings to wife with dementia and how one child’s jokes show love’s lasting strength

CBS News contributor David Begnaud’s latest “Dear David” segment features two heartwarming stories of resilience submitted by viewers: a Houston couple’s 66-year musical love story and a Louisiana girl’s mission to support her sister.

A love song through time

In Houston, Texas, Jérôme and Agnès Bourgeois found a timeless way to celebrate 66 years of marriage.

Every birthday, Jérôme serenades his wife, a tradition that takes on even more meaning with time.

“I’m going to try to sing ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ without breaking down,” he said.

Their love story began in 1959, when Agnès married Jérôme, who had only $90 to his name. She supported him throughout college as he progressed to become a music teacher, principal, and eventually school superintendent.

About 10 years ago, Agnes was diagnosed with vascular dementia. Since then, Jérôme has been his full-time caretaker.

“Since she has been the wind beneath my wings, I have become her provider and caregiver,” he said.

When vocal cord atrophy threatened to cause him to lose his ability to sing, Jerome, 91, said he felt lost.

“It made me feel a little alone, because I always had that voice as a partner,” he said.

Determined not to give up, he spent seven months in therapy at TIRR Memorial Hermann to regain his voice.

This perseverance paid off on their last anniversary. Jérôme sang again for Agnes, his voice triggering brief but joyful moments of recognition. As he finished his serenade, Agnes smiled and replied softly, “I love you, so it’s okay.”

A joke with a purpose

In Louisiana, 9-year-old Nora Vaughn transformed laughter into a mission of love. Her 14-year-old sister Susie was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder with no known cure, at age 3, prompting Nora to take action.

“I was raising money for Rett syndrome because I want her to be able to talk, walk steadily and use her hands,” Nora said.

Her mother, Erin, described the deep bond between the sisters.

“They’re two little idiots,” she said. “She really makes Susie laugh like no one else can and it’s such a comfort to her.”

She said together they face the daily challenges they face.

“It affects everything,” she said. “We feed her, we bathe her, we take her to the bathroom. She can walk a little, but you have to be close to her to make sure she doesn’t suddenly fall.”

At a school event, Nora even thanked Susie for letting her make her laugh, saying it also made her feel better.

To support her cause, Nora set up a joke stand in her yard, complete with a QR code for donations to the Rett Syndrome Research Trust. His repertoire of jokes, from “What do you call a magician dog? A Labra-cadabra-dor!” to “What did the mother volcano say to the baby volcano? I’ll wash you,” helped her raise nearly $1,000 for research.

David Bégnaud loves getting to the heart of every story and will continue to do so, spotlighting everyday heroes and proving that there is good news in the news with its exclusive “CBS Mornings” series, “Beg-Knows America.” Every Monday, prepare to experience moments that will make you smile or even shed a tear. Do you have a story about an ordinary person doing something extraordinary for someone else? Email David and his team at CherDavid@cbsnews.com