Friday, January 22, 2010

Sharon




Have you met my wife, Sharon?



She's still alive.



I know what you're thinking -- duh.

A year ago today, I took her life for granted. But, a year ago tomorrow, everything changed. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the first visit to the hospital. The day we found out it wasn't just fatigue and it wasn't an ulcer. It was the day the first doctor said cancer.



We hadn't heard of a rare form of stomach cancer called a GIST (Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumor), nor had we seen specialists and cried and prayed and asked the same question over and over and over again: why?

I thought, looking back, a year out, all I would see would be blackness. But things turned out a little differently. Sharon came through the cancer. She is cancer free. And that event kicked off a remarkable year for us. In many ways, 2009 was a very rough year for many families, including ours. But this kick in the teeth changed us, and perhaps it strengthened us for challenges that would come later. For all the struggle, our marriage is better than it has ever been -- and it's always been a good one.



I thank God every day that my wife is still by my side. Sharon is my muse, my best friend, my most honest critic, my sounding board, my greatest cheerleader, my strength, my companion and partner, my whole world. The thought of watching her slip away was more than I could handle, and I guess God knew that. Words are cheap, but if I could have taken the burden from her shoulders, I would have, and it would have been purely selfish -- it would have been easier for me. God gave me a second chance to love her better, to appreciate her more, and to show her that her life means more to me than my own.

I'm not a perfect husband. I don't say these things as often as I should, but Sharon, I think them constantly.



I love you.

18 comments:

Pam Emmons said...

Beautiful. That's all I can say.

Linda said...

This is a lovely tribute to your wife, and your marriage.

puna said...

What a sweet tribute to you wife. Your love is inspiring.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post.

Emmy said...

Beautiful!! What a wonderful tribute. So glad she is now cancer free. Can't even imagine what that was like.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Beautiful. I love the last picture of your hands enfolding each other.

My daughter had cancer last year too. We are not positive she is cancer free, and she still has post-op pain, but her life is good and we are all so appreciative of every moment.

Thanks for sharing your relief and delight here. Just lovely.

Lisa said...

Such a lovely commentary for a lovely lady.

Maria Berg said...

It did come tears from my eyes I am moved , very beautiful Hope that the love will last forever!!! MB

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

That was SO sweet. I am so thankful for you and Sharon!!

kayerj said...

great post--hope your out doing something nice with her.

Corey~living and loving said...

WOW...just WOW! perfectly written. ♥

koreen (aka: winn) said...

Just beautiful.

{krista} said...

Sharon... you are a lucky woman!

Heidi said...

That was beautiful! It's very nice to meet you Sharon. You are so beautiful!
So happy that you were able to come through the cancer and that it has strengthened your marriage.
Great pictures, Chris did you take them? How do you take a portrait of yourself and actually have it turn out?

Michelle said...

I can't believe that it has been a year since Sharon was diagnosed. I'm so happy for all of you that she is still healthy.

Did you take those pictures of the two of you??

cat said...

Oh Chris, now you've gone and made me cry. This is beautiful. Many happy year for you two.

Emily said...

Sounds like your wife is about as close to perfect as they come...lucky you. :) Wonderfully written.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post. Thank you for sharing it.