A simple moment...never take it for granted

[bigride]

As I write this, I am stretched out relaxing in my comfortable bed. My wife is beside me. I hear her measured breaths as she sleeps. For years, I took these kind of simple moments for granted...like they would last forever as we merrily grew old together.

Well, as many of you know, the last several years have been quite a struggle for Mrs. Bigride. She has been dealing with multiple serious ailments that would have ended me long ago. She is fighting the good fight, but the struggle is difficult...the future uncertain. She has spent many restless nights moving from the bed to the sofa to the recliner in an endless search to find relief from pain. Hearing these measured breaths as she sleeps is a rare moment these days. In a little while, she will be roused by the pain and quietly make her way to the recliner or the sofa, trying not to wake me up.

So I encourage you to enjoy simple moments with the ones you love. Tume in more intently to their laughter. Take ample time to wipe away their tears. Hug them just a little longer. Listen to a few measured breaths as they enjoy a respite from pain and stress amidst a few moments of peaceful sleep. Simple moments...yet so meaningful...no longer taken for granted.

Blessings y'all.

 

[g-dad]

Well said sir.

 

[GUNMIKE]

A simple momemt

I agree that we all need to take time to appreciate
what we have, as it will not always last.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Beautifully put, Paul.

Ruthie and I keep you and Candi in our hearts.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I do that too. My wife can't lay flat for as long time without pain and is sleeping in a recliner behind me right now. God bless us all.
Peace,
Gordon

 

[fat tom]

I can only wish to hear those measured breaths beside me. My wife of 45 years succumbed to multiple,painful ailments last November. If there is ANYTHING that you haven't done that you can still do,please do it. Despite your circumstances,I envy you. I sincerely wish both of you God's blessings.
f.t.

 

[Kiwi cop]

For most of the last 2 years When I have woken up at night if I cannot hear my wife breathing beside me I have panicked. A little nudge to get her to move withou actually waking her up has been my response. The sound of the oxygen concentrator in the next room has not been a comfort.

Fortunately after a very close lung transplant she is happily snoring the night away again, without oxygen.

I agree, treasure the little things. And I hope that like Karen, your wife is a fighter with a will to live that will prevail.

And to anyone else whose wife, partner or significant other is, or has recently, gone through a serious health issue, my thoughts are with you.

 

[Dennis]

Damned dust in my eyes... Lost wife in 2012.
Well put... Precious moments...

 

[mhakel]

I know of what you mean

My wife/best friend died 1/04/17 our 48th would have been 2/1/17. I know all too well about watchhing for the chest heaves to make sure she was still breathing. I was holding her hand when God came and got her, didn't want to let go but new she was heading to a better place. I'm doing my best to keep myself up to snuff so the Lord will let me join her someday.
God bless all,

 

[steelslaver]

As a Widower myself, I join each and everyone in saying Don't take what you have for granted. Do little things and big things enjoy. The day may well come where you can not.

 

[vonn]

Thanks for the reminder bigride. Just sent a prayer for both of you.

 

[hsguy]

What a wonderful thoughtful post. Like others here I lost my wife very unexpectedly two years ago. Find joy in every moment if possible and take nothing for granted. We were married 37 years and I cherish all the wonderful moments we had and miss her everyday.

 

[30-30remchester]

You always think there will be time to say the things that need to be said and do the things that need to be done. Seldom is that the case. When my oldest child developed cancer we all thought she could whip it. She came in from the doctor and sat next to me and told me she was sorry. She had just been given her termination notice and she apologized to me for dying. What a great kid. She was given 30 days so I had time to say what needed to be said so I didn't bother her when she fell asleep that first day. The next day she was incoherent and did not recognize me. The morning after that she was gone. I was in the room when she came into this world and took here first breath. Thirty nine years and 56 days later, I lay in bed with her and held her when she took her last breath. I hope she knew I was there. An experience no person should ever experience. Now is the time to make that call and bury the hatchet, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

 

[Kiwi cop]

You always think there will be time to say the things that need to be said and do the things that need to be done. Seldom is that the case. When my oldest child developed cancer we all thought she could whip it. She came in from the doctor and sat next to me and told me she was sorry. She had just been given her termination notice and she apologized to me for dying. What a great kid. She was given 30 days so I had time to say what needed to be said so I didn't bother her when she fell asleep that first day. The next day she was incoherent and did not recognize me. The morning after that she was gone. I was in the room when she came into this world and took here first breath. Thirty nine years and 56 days later, I lay in bed with her and held her when she took her last breath. I hope she knew I was there. An experience no person should ever experience. Now is the time to make that call and bury the hatchet, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Growing up I was not close to my father, my younger brothers were. I always thought I'd have time one day to sit down and learn a little more of his story. One day in 2015 my brother and I were on patrol when he mentioned the old man was back in hospital with pneumonia. "One of these days he's going to be admitted to hospital and not come out alive" were his words. A few weeks later, 2 days before he was due to be discharged, he passed away. There are so many questions I wil now never know the answer to.

This morning I asked my wife Karen to accompany me on a few errands. First stop was the local gas station where I used the vacuum cleaner on the inside of the car and checked tyre pressures. Next I parked up near the gym I have been going to sporadically while in Auckland. I set up the cellphone as a hotspot and left her with her book and iPad while I pushed weights for an hour. When I got back to the car I asked her where she would like to go for lunch and she said McDonalds, she wanted a special chicken and bacon burger they are advertising on TV.

During our meal I realised that it is less than 4 months since she was in a medical coma in the ICU fighting ventilator acquired pneumonia after a double lung transplant. The surgeons and doctors did not expect her to survive. I felt like crying and have been on the verge of tears since then thinking what I almost lost.

Every day is now a precious gift that should never be squandered.

 

[i1afli]

Thanks for the reminder, guys.
Me and mine are healthy but i know it could be fleeting.