Until now, I have referred to my husband as “Husband” in this blog because I wanted to keep things a bit anonymous and private. But today, after two visits to the nursing lodge, and one little drive with Son, I realized that in not naming Husband – who supports this blog and me, who wants desperately to come home and be ‘us’ again – I might have dishonoured him.
His name is Anthony and he is the best Anthony you will ever meet.
His name is Anthony and he is the best husband and father Son and I could ever want.
His name is Anthony and he has battled kidney cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, spinal problems and now – the worst disease of all, Parkinson’s disease – all with a huge grin and the kind of resilience I will never have. His sorrow at being in the nursing lodge is a daily grief for all of us.
Anthony.
jmgoyder 
Much much love to you and Anthony, Julie. Bless xoxo
Unbearable at the moment – thx CC!
You are all so beautiful. Blessing and Happiness to you all dear Julie, Thank you, with my love, nia
Thanks, Nia – I am quite preoccupied with stuff at the moment but will keep visiting your wonderful blog. Juliex
Julie, you are one of the most resilient women I have known. You are simply fighting a different battle. Thank you for sharing Anthony with us today.
xo,
Lynda
Thanks – when I show Anthony bits of the blog – esp. pics. of him, he is chuffed!
Anthony – a fine brave name – someone many of us will add to our prayers–
Thank you very much – very much!
A toast to Anthony.
Names are such a powerful thing. I do understand keeping private, but shouting his name, loud and long, is a good thing too. Anthony is a very lucky man to have you in his corner. He sounds like a fighter. I hate Parkinson’s, as you know, but the old Anthony is still in there somewhere and though he may not seem like it, he knows you would take him home if you could.
Yes, it felt ‘right’ to finally name Husband! Thank you DD! Jx
Thank you for sharing your beautiful writing and your story. You liked one of my posts the other day (thank you!) and I clicked over to your blog and found myself just reading and reading. All the best to you and your family. Take care!
Thank you Mary! Juliex
It’s nice to meet Anthony 🙂 And keep blogging..we’re reading and here for support.
Thank you very much, Warm Alive Heart!
And what a lovely name too…..
I’m sure Anthony would still love and support you even if you continued to call him Husband.
It’s not the name that matters, it is the feeling in your Heart and Soul that counts.
Very true!
Julie, did you know that the name Anthony means “Worthy of Praise”? You have done that here. It been wonderful getting to know him through you.
I didn’t know that – thanks!
Well hello Anthony. I feel I’ve gotten to know you a bit through your wife and well, I just want to say, you both have a beautiful story or should I say the three of you (including Son) …or do I need to include the birds….there are so many….!! Consider yourself greeted from the other side – Canada!
I will be reading these comments to Anthony – thank you so much Diana! Jx
You’re welcome!
This just broke my heart. What a lovely tribute to a wonderful man.
I wanted to name him and I’m glad I did.
God bless Anthony. Thanks for naming him for us.
I did the same for a while and then thought there’s really no anonymity for us. Whatever people desire to find out, they will.
I always thought Anthony was a beautiful man’s name.
It felt so good to name him!
Hello Anthony! My husband will remain ‘husband’ as I still wish to maintain other parties privacy at this point (that way I can keep being rude about them too ;op)
I know what you mean – hehe! Son is still “Son” in the blog so that I can keep embarrassing him anonymously. Thanks for the comment Angela! Juliex
i wish Al was like this. he is mainly depressed, wants to die, and has given up his hope
Anthony is lucky not to have depression – I have no idea how he doesn’t and he is very lucky that way.
Beautifully said.
Thanks – it’s quite a tricky situation – argh!
Oh so beautiful! Hope he can come home for a visit though that has it’s own issues, but oh! so want you to enjoy some moments at home together,Jules and Anthony.Blessings from Jane
I can’t sometimes believe that it is only a few months ago that he was home and now that is impossible – the deterioration is so fast.
sending you a hug..
You too!
🙂
Oh Julie…a wonderful tribute to Anthony. I’m so sorry things are so turbulent for you right now dear friend. You are in my heart always…and I hope and pray your family can find equilibrium with all of this. Anthony is a role model for those of us with chronic illness, and you are an example of what love truly means. Please remember to love yourself right now too ~ most important thing (sorry if broken record on this point but feel strongly)…. Sending giant hugs to you and family xo ~ RL
Thanks Robyn – so much! Juliexxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello Anthony. Hang in there Julie. Margie
I am going to read these comments to Anthony – thank you Margie! Jx
You and Anthony have been through so much already. I’m curious to know if you’re reading him your love story posts and what he thinks of it. I wonder if he’s laughing and crying as much as we all are.
Only the funny bits!
OMG – thank you – I remember this song.
You got me crying with joy!
So much love in that repeated sentence. You honour him with every word you write, even if you don’t use his name.
So awesomely beautiful ❤
Thx!!!
You have battled these horrible diseases together as a family – you are all resilient and your love for one another shines through.
Thanks bluebee!
And you have honored him well. I think he would love this! ♥♥
Yes, Anthony is coming home for the day today so I will show him!
Hello Anthony! I wish I could meet you in person so I could tell you that your courage, humor and candor inspire me daily. I don’t know why you are having to deal with this horrible disease or any of the others, but Julie’s blogging about your lives reminds me that the only thing we can ever truly control is our love and the only time we ever really have is right now.
Thank you Julie and Anthony for honoring readers by sharing with us such an open hearted love that it takes our breath away.
I will read this to Anthony – thank you so much Linda! Jx
Pleased to meet Anthony-through you!
I wanted to read him some of these comments yesterday but it never happened – next time – and thank you!
Nice to meet Anthony. My goodness, you have all gone through soooo much.
Blessings to you, your son, and especially to Anthony
Thank you very very much!