I find as I grow older that I spend more time reflecting on life, opportunities realized or missed, friends, family and so on, at odd times it seems. Today I was contemplating several of these as I was driving to work to be a skeleton crew of one (yes Martha there is a Santa Claus, I gave all the employees off for a long weekend). My thoughts were on Christmas of years ago, drifting back to when the boys were young and the anticipation of those magic mornings, gifts opened, quickly eaten breakfasts, running from relative to relative more gifts, more food, finally flopping back home at days end. Great memories they are. Going back a little further to Christmas not as great, missing family and friends back home, losing friends there with me to often, my thoughts dwelling on them more and more. Each one a Hero. Then it hit me like a sledge hammer, Ive been living with a true hero for almost 45 years. The woman I have been with my entire adult life is my greatest hero of all. While I was out doing whatever salesmen deem important enough to tear them away from family constantly, she raised the boys into the men they are today. While I was moving us to a different state every decade or so, chasing whatever dream, she followed, making where we ended up a home. Finally, calling Arizona our home, the boys are now raising our grandchildren, all within an easy car ride. She has handled it all with a quiet grace, strength, resolve and faith that some mistakenly think of as lack of self worth or weakness. Last August my wife was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and after a small grimace at the news, I have not seen one negative thing from her. She endured the endless radiation treatments and chemo without a whimper or tear, not one discouraging word did I ever hear. That grace, strength, resolve and faith have been evident in every aspect of her being, when her hair first started to fall out, she got a buzz cut and a couple of wigs, one very close to her everyday style and one completely different, for fun and the shock value. When the radiation made it impossible for her to swallow everyday food she became obsessed with discovering new ingredients to put in milkshakes, good at it enough to put on 2 lbs while not eating solid food for 4 weeks. When the chemo caused nausea, she forced herself to eat small meals to maintain her strength. She distains the attention those that know constantly try to push on her. She insists that they treat her as they always have. Through all of this she has maintained that quiet grace, strength, resolve and faith. Her thoughts are always focused on me, the kids and the grandkids, never herself. She is without a doubt the toughest, sexiest little bald broad I know. I am in awe. She is my hero. Along with the presents this evening, Im going to show her this. Merry Christmas, my love.
Merry Christmas to my Hero
- Thread starter oneaday
- Start date
AZsteelman
April 2006 BoM
Man, I envy you....and I'm proud of you for writing this...you are one of the lucky ones. Thanks for sharing this, Ken. It made my day...no, it made my year. Bless you and your family this Christmas season.
Randy
Randy
Ken,
That was a Christmas gift for all of us to share. It was very touching and reminds us to be thankful for all we have. Merry Christmas to you and all of my BOTL/SOTL. May the holidays give us all time to reflect on the great gifts we have.
I too have one of those gifts in my Teri. I asked her to marry me on Saturday night and she said YES. So this year a a celebration of love for all of us.
Bill
That was a Christmas gift for all of us to share. It was very touching and reminds us to be thankful for all we have. Merry Christmas to you and all of my BOTL/SOTL. May the holidays give us all time to reflect on the great gifts we have.
I too have one of those gifts in my Teri. I asked her to marry me on Saturday night and she said YES. So this year a a celebration of love for all of us.
Bill
Thank you Ken for sharing. God bless ya'll
WhiteLightning
This is WhiteLightning!
Now that's a hero! Wish you all the best.
Volusianator
BoM Nov '07 & Jan '09
Ken you are truly blessed, as you've got what all of us want, a loving partner by your side. Thanks for sharing your story, I will be calling my better half downstairs later to read this as well.
Merry Christmas,
Wade
Merry Christmas,
Wade
