Daily there is much for which to be thankful and I give thanks even amidst the chaotic challenges day-to-day. This week marks a one-year anniversary, a milestone I give special thanks for because it was a year ago at this time that my husband Charles was hospitalized at St. Joseph Hospital with yet another brush with death. He has been through so much over the past 15 years with end-stage renal failure, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, dialysis, a kidney transplant, a failing transplanted kidney, and then last year runaway blood pressure (224/117) that ushered in a stroke.
I give thanks that he has overcome so much in the past year and is still alive and making the most and the best of every day.
Sadly, his mother, who is also on dialysis (for the past ten years), was taken to the ER last night and has been hospitalized with severe chest pain and shortness of breath. She's receiving oxygen and injections of morphine. Charles has been at her side all day.
It is a bittersweet conundrum that we 'celebrate' him having enjoyed another year of life after his close call in 2007 and yet he ends up -- in the hospital -- on the anniversary as he tends to his mother's urgent needs.
Through it all he has never waivered from being a loving, gentle spirit.
I have been blessed in countless way to have Charles in my life for the past 16 years.
I give thanks today. For me, it is Thanksgiving.
4 comments:
Your post warmed me with its honesty, courage, and love. Thank you.
Joseph McG
What a loving tribune to Charles and to your beautiful marriage!
It takes courage to live, love and give thanks sometimes...and there you show yourself lion-hearted, m'dear. Beautiful piece.
Are you okay with driving? Let us know if you need any getting around help.
A loving tribute and a good reminder for us all. We need to feel gratitude each day for the love in our lives. Thanks for sharing yours. ~Stephanie
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