My love and I met in graduate school, in Miami, Florida where we lived for 20 years.. There was an immediate connection. He was from Ireland and I was from Arizona.
His brother, a priest married us..My sister whispered that he was too bossy. His sister whispered that I was too bossy.. Guess that is what it takes for a love affair of 36 years.
We adopted two children
He was an athlete. He was a lover. He was a musician. He was a computer programmer He was a social worker. He was a champion tennis player. He was a great family man. He was the organizer of the Irish music band in Charlotte.He was a giver. He was a gardener. He was always concerned about my health as I drank wine and ate chocolate. He ate lettuce and drank water. ...just sayin....I am still here and he is not... One day he came home from a tennis tournament annoyed. He said that something was wrong with his foot and the opponents in tennis were hitting the ball right toward him, so he would not have to run for it.. He retired in February and was diagnosed in May. He died 22 months later of ALS.
This was the beginning of change to our home. His hospital bed went into my former office and I had to retire. My son and his wife were arrested for drugs giving us 3 young children to raise
His birthday was in November, He could not eat, but he surely loved the cake and the children. They used to do range of motion with his legs.
Five months later at Easter was the end...He had told me that he would be dying soon, but I did not believe it. Two days after this picture, he was dead. Our lives would never be the same. He was 70.
Just writing this grieves me so. 9 months after his diagnosis while he was paralyzed in the bed, my mother fell out of her wheelchair and broke her neck.
I am now five years out. It was still difficult to write this post. It is ALS month and I just felt I had to..I am glad I did I loved him so.
3 Comments
PETER KRONES · May 16, 2020 at 3:23 pm
Thank you sharing this, Diane. There is so much color in these memories. A love-stitched quilt!
Von · May 16, 2020 at 4:23 pm
A wise physician said the best medicine for humans is
LOVE
Someone asked what if it doesn’t work? He smiled
INCREASE THE DOSE
We both are thankful we had many years together with
OUR LOVED ONES.
Patricia Desreumaux · May 16, 2020 at 4:30 pm
A lovely writer like your mother, I’m glad you found the strength to tell this story and beautiful pictures to share with many that need support knowing we are not alone, we suffer quietly waiting to get the strength that you got to put it in words at least a little of what we have to live with. Love And admire you Diane ?
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