This post is mostly for my husband who likely will never read it. Not sure he knows I have a blog LOL
I think it was Allen Saunders originally who said “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” That has never been truer for our family than the past 2 years months. Life isn’t fair. I have no idea how many times I have said that in my life. Too many to count. But sometimes it is completely UNfair. We lost one of the most precious members of our family who was an amazing dad in May, two years ago. He is truly so missed.
If I haven’t completely lost track of time, a little over year ago we set out on a journey that we never, ever planned. No one does. It’s heartbreaking, stressful, frightening. It’s ALS. Bulbar Onset ALS. It’s been extremely aggressive and progressive and my husband has been unable to speak for a year now. His very thin having lost most of his muscle mass. His breathing gets more difficult all the time. We are now in Colorado with very good medical care and surrounded by 4 of our six and the others visit often.
So here we go – into the unexpected – together. That last word is the most important one in the sentence. This is not how we expected or planned your retirement to go. But the last 16 months we have spent every day together. I certainly am not complaining about that. I feel so fortunate to spend my time with the man I love so much. None of us know what the future holds – for any of us. So let us strive to be kind to ourselves and each other, appreciative of what we have and do like we have always done, lean on one another and support the tribe.
Thank you dear husband, for helping me keep the offspring alive (that first one was a challenge), fed, clothed, schooled and out of jail (as of this moment). NO one expected us to be able to get married as teenagers, raise six kids, live apart for most of each year and stay married and all the kids still be speaking to us. I hope you feel appreciated and loved every day because you are. I love you Like LOVE love.
