Our Journey with ALS

I do most of my crying on the little balcony of our apartment. I told her this for the first time tonight. I have to be strong for her. I love Linda so very much. It tears me apart to see each very noticeable change in her strength. I'm scared too. I can't imagine living without her. Our 40th Wedding Anniversary will be July 22 of this year.

ALS is a very nasty, devastating, and terminal illness. I'm not going to explain it. You can find out for yourself with an internet search. But let me tell you; when we learned the diagnosis, it was like someone kicked us both in the stomach with full force. Our bodies weren't hurt, but inside we felt it. We lost a close friend to ALS not so long ago. We weren't there, so we had no idea how though things could be.

I am so tired. I wouldn't shun my responsibilities for my wife. I'm just tired. I will not neglect her, nor will I fail to do all I can for her; I can do no less. After all, we are one flesh; joined together by the Lord Jesus Christ in marriage on July 22, 1972.

Our children have been wonderful! We've had at least one visit by most of them. More than one by a couple. And one daughter has been here four times with our grandchildren. Most note-full, however is the help from Martin and his family, who, living only about four blocks away from us now, have provided most loving and tender care for Linda. We bless you all.¶

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:31-40 (NKJV)