Describe a family member.

This beautiful Sunday morning, as I look out the back door at this corner of our yard, my thoughts are drawn to the beauty of change, the clouds in the sky, the mostly empty flower pots, and the raised garden box, which contains one last 2-inch long zucchini that I was hoping would beat the first freeze of the year. It did not. We will be pulling that plant out today.

My husband built the raised garden box, so gardening would be more comfortable for us as we age. Every spring he helps me plant vegetables, usually two tomato plants – cherry tomatoes and an early girl or big boy plant, a sweet pepper, a zucchini, a cantaloupe, and a couple of herb plants. I like onions, carrots, radishes, peas, and beans, too. Over the years, we have planted these in the box or the ground if the garden box is too full for all of the veggies and fruits we want to plant.

He is the type to keep the garden and all of the flowers watered, dead-headed, and/or weeded, as necessary, yet gives me the credit for our garden and flowers. Isn’t that sweet of him?!

He is a hard worker – definitely not lazy. He is kind to me, never mean. He has a disability, but does not let that stop him from doing all he can within his limitations. He gets a little discouraged sometimes because he can’t do all that he wants to do, but he rarely shows bitterness or frustration. He just keeps pushing through, sacrificing time and energy for me and our family.

He has MS, has had several back and neck surgeries, has nearly died twice from necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria) once in each leg, has had nine (yes nine!) knee replacements and removals due to MRSA infections (four surgeries in one knee and five in the other), not to mention bladder cancer and congestive heart failure. He has had other surgeries and has other health concerns, but you get the point.

It is amazing to me that he still functions at the level he does. Walking mostly with a walker now, he gets around pretty well. I think anyone else would be in a wheelchair or bed ridden by now.

When I was diagnosed with MS, thirteen years ago, ten years after my husband’s MS diagnosis, I was shocked and scared, but I had a wonderful example to follow. He learned to accept it and not let it stop him. I realized I could accept my diagnosis and learn to live with it, as well.

My favorite thing is when Joe walks out of the bathroom with my hairbrush in his hand, sits on the couch in the living room, and motions for me to sit on the floor in front of him so he can brush my hair while we talk. It is a very loving, kind gesture that I will never tire of and always feel gratitude for, especially after I have had a long day at work.

He shows me and our family unconditional love, kindness, generosity and sacrifice of time and energy, how to roll with the punches, and get back up every time he gets knocked down (or falls down). He loves the Lord and his family. I feel so blessed he is my husband and want to be like him when I grow up! 😉 ❤️