Have I Ever Introduced You?

 

In the therapy of writing about my Mother-In-Love’s diagnosis and the determination to squeeze the most out of our days… have I ever introduced you to the love of her life?

This man… he loves her without reservation.  He puts her first, she puts him first – and the end result is a rock solid love story that has spanned six decades.

To paint an image of how they treasure each other, is to realize that one of her greatest frustrations while undergoing chemo and radiation?  Is that she is banned from household duties.  Expressing equal parts gratitude and consternation while someone else prepares meals.  All because this was an undeniable part of her labor of love for her life-friend.

And he?  Is full of life and humor.  Has amazed 30 years of grandkids with his spot on Donald Duck impersonation. Taught three generations how to change the oil in their car.  Prayed over his growing family and invested in their lives.

Never too busy to spend time at the playground with grandkids and great-grandkids.

(I want to be like him at 80 years old… doing pull-ups??  Gah!)

 

And always there to pick them up when they’ve stumbled.

Willing to incur the Homeowners Association’s wrath with the gong…

 

Always ready to lend a helping hand.

 

Believing in the value of honest work and passing down to generations by example.

Enjoying moments that may never come again.  Sweet tea in the backyard.

And as much as I enjoy the blessings he brings into our lives… there is nothing more precious than the example he sets by the way he loves.

This picture makes me weep because I know those hands have cared for his bride for an entire lifetime.  And they now pray for her, desperately and earnestly.

 

Grateful, so grateful.