Summer of 1970, I was 15 years old and was swimming at a local swimming hole with a couple friends. This was about 8 miles from the town we lived in. I honestly don't remember how we got out there but here it was late in the afternoon an, as 15 year old boys will be, hadn't given any thought to how we were going to get home at the end of the day. One of the guys said he'd run up to the store and call his cousin who had just moved to the area from across the state line. He came back and said Bob, his cousin would come pick us up. Turns out his cousin showed up driving a `62 Impala SS 409, 4 speed convertible, white with a blue interior. Me being a car guy, this is about as cool as it gets. Rather than take us to town, he took us back to their grandfather's farm where they had just moved and I met his younger sister Bonnie, who would also be starting school in another month in my class. She was the prettiest girl I had ever seen. In October when I turned 16, got my license and my first car, a `64 Ford Galaxie XL, we started dating. We graduated in 1972 and married in January of 1974. Seven years ago she came down with a rare spinal cord disorder called Transverse Myelitis which left her paralyzed from the waist down. Over time she regained all her movement but not much feeling, and over time and with therapy she could walk with a walker short distances. We did this every day. In the warmer months we walked up the street and back and in the colder months I would take her to the shop so she could walk where it was warmer. On her best day she could do 1/4 mile round trip. The past couple years more problems have arisen and we have dealt with them as they came. Two months ago she came down with pneumonia and over those two months she had four hospital stays ranging from 2 days to 11 days each, 9 of them in ICU. Finally, Hospice was called in last Saturday. The doctor didn't think she would continue more than a day or two but she lasted another week. I spent every day by her side, 10-12 hours a day, and our daughter spent several days there as well, staying overnight 3 of those. Yesterday morning at 8:30am she passed away from complications of it all. I've spent the best days of my life with her and now I have spent the worst day of my life with her but at least my daughter and I were with her when she finally moved on. My only comfort right now is that all her pain is finally gone and she no longer suffers. Now it's my turn. Sorry for the long post, I tried to shorten it but just couldn't get everything in it.
I am sorry for your loss. God has a plan for each of us, and no matter how we try we can not change the plan. You and you daughter should take comfort in knowing you gave her the love and support she needed during her fight with this disease. God bless both of you.
Thanks for sharing Bill. Sorry to hear this. Great love story. Praying that God will comfort you and your daughter and all the wonderful and happy memories will fill your broken hearts.
Bill, I am very sorry for the loss of your wife. Thank you for sharing your story and grief with all of us. I would like to express my condolences to you and your daughter.
