Today’s talk has been more difficult to compose than expected. My plan was to thank my wife and caregiver, Bobbi for everything she has done for me since my health started declining several years ago.
This is difficult because there are millions of caregivers in our world today with challenges ranging from inconvenience to life-threatening.
My desire is to thank Bobbi in the most descriptive terms available, but I do not want to be too dramatic. As amazing as she’s been we acknowledge there are many caregivers in far more challenging situations. Our prayers are with them.
Bobbi and I celebrated our 14th anniversary in June. I am positive when she agreed to the “for better or worse” portion of our vows she didn’t know she end up pushing me around in a wheelchair, helping me shower, putting on my compression hose, and calming my nerves when anxiety came calling – even when it meant leaving her hotel room at three in the morning!
Caregivers like Bobbi sacrifice many things to provide the necessary care for their patients. We’ve been home from Cleveland for over three weeks, but Bobbi has yet to play a round of golf. This even though a “babysitter” was available. She declined fearing she might tweak her back and not be able to care for me.
Being a retired nurse has proven to be a blessing and a curse at times. A blessing because Bobbi understands the medical terms leading to greater understanding. The curse comes when I want to fudge a little bit on the rules, but well you see the picture.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the help we have received from friends and family. Calls, texts, cards, flowers, books, wine, visits, and being available to help when called upon have been awesome.
When we returned from Cleveland there were hot meals lined up for over a week. Starting with our neighbor’s spaghetti pie and then followed up by Bobbi’s golfing buddies and other friends who outdid themselves with pasta, meatloaf, casseroles, scallops, and pork chops, not to mention desserts galore.
To say we’ve been spoiled is an understatement. There is that old phrase about “taking a village to raise a child” that seems appropriate here. Our village has been exceptional.
We have been richly blessed and I hit the jackpot with Bobbi! My prayer is that I never have to return the favor to her because I won’t measure up, but I do promise I’ll try. Thanks, Bobbi, I love you!
Steve.
