Richard Bach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bach), author of Johnathon Livingstone Seagull, once said, “If you love something, set it free; if it comes backs it’s yours, if it doesn’t, it never was”, a quote which is now widely used in various contexts, and a quote that I have always associated with birds and wings and gutsy metaphor.
Tomorrow I have to take Husband up to a hospital in Perth where his condition and medications can be reassessed by his Parkinson’s disease specialist. This will be his fourth visit to this hospital; nevertheless it is always traumatic for both of us because it usually means a stay of around 4-5 days and I have to come home again and leave him there. The geographical distance is only 200 kilometres but it may as well be 20,000 – well, that’s how it feels.
When I first met Husband, I was 18 and he was 41. I had come to look after his mother who had recently broken her hip. It was my first job. For me it was love at first sight; for him, I was just a strange kid. Oh how I loved him! But it wasn’t reciprocated, so I had to do that ‘letting go’ thing. Once I grew up a bit, he fell in love too but it took awhile (just a few years, like a decade – no big deal, ha!)
So, happy ending in many ways – mutual adoration, a beautiful son a year after we were married … and then Husband got kidney cancer. That was the first illness, but it has been followed by a succession, all of which Husband has overcome or, at least, been resilient against. But then Parkinson’s disease took over our lives.
I cannot let him go; I cannot set him free; I wish he would come back.
And he will. While he is in hospital, Son and I will get the Christmas tree up and decorated and wrap Husband’s present. You’ll never guess what it is – it’s a cuckoo clock!
jmgoyder 
Lovely
Sort of!
Love you and love husband ❤
You too, schnookums!
Simply beautiful, jmgoyder.
Thanks…
A real love story. I wish your husband well and I will pray for him.
Thanks, Tilly – really appreciated! Julie
if a wish could send u a xmas miracle then quite sure u would have many!!
blessings xx
u2!
There is so much I want to say but it is all jumbled up inside. I know how you feel. The power of prayer is remarkable and I will pray daily for you and your family.
Thanks for your lovely comment!
A sad but thought provoking post, and one that makes you realise the importance of living every day to the max.
You are so right!
What a great present.
Life is not easy with chronic illness, but it does bring out the importance of Being in the Moment and living each day as it comes.
Yes and yes!
My thoughts are with you and Husband. Please keep us updated.
Thank you.