A Tribute to my AMAZING wife (aka Cheerleader)

Jeff_wMS · Post by **Jeff_wMS** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:54 am

25 Years ago Joan (aka cheerleader) and I stood at the alter of my hometown church and said these words to each other:

'to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

(yes, we chose the traditional vows)

All of us with MS know you find out a lot about the people in your life when you get sick, good and bad. Of course we find out about ourselves too! A disease with no clear 'endgame' can try the patience and reserve of even the best people.

I have never realized, or appreciated the amount of dedication Joan has had to our marriage and to me, to the depths I do now. Her tireless patience, selfless caretaking, good humor,, and suffering the occasional outburst of mis-directed anger my diagnosis has been a revelation to me.

And as you here, now, she has also been an invaluable searcher into the ways we can hope to improve the quality of health for all of us, and try to find a solution to this horrible disease.

So, with all of you dear people, this seems a very fitting place to pay tribute to the person who has made our 25 years together so rewarding and full of joy and good humor!

I encourage us all to take a moment to thank those partners, friends, spouses, family and other loved ones who have stood with you through this. I am very grateful to them all, as I am sure you are.

blessings,

Jeff

Needled · Post by **Needled** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:34 am

Jeff, I think you just gave Joan the very best anniversary present any spouse could wish for. Once again, I thank you for sharing it with us and letting us figure how it relates to our own lives. You are both very special people.
Now, on a less serious note, if my husband read this, he'd say "What, was the jewelry store closed?"

whyRwehere · Post by **whyRwehere** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:08 am

So, would you say having stents put in has made you more appreciative of your wife? Quick, get my husband to the hospital.....

Loobie · Post by **Loobie** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:27 pm

whyRwehere wrote: So, would you say having stents put in has made you more appreciative of your wife? Quick, get my husband to the hospital.....

Now that's funny

But seriously Jeff, that is awesome and I try to be thankful for my wonderful wife every day. Needled is right, you can buy her stuff until the cows come home, and this is what she'll remember, this is great stuff!

skydog · Post by **skydog** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:28 pm

Happy Anniversary !!! Our anniversary happens to be the day we have scheduled for my surgery. Thank You both for your tireless quest to seek the answers to this puzzling condition. Jeff you and I are very lucky to have such supportive partners. Enjoy life to the fullest. Cheers Mark and Brenda

marcstck · Post by **marcstck** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:37 pm

I wish you guys the happiest of anniversaries. Jeff, your wife has been intrepid and unwavering in her quest to keep you well. Her love for you shines forth from every post she makes.

Kudos to all of our spouses/significant others/caregivers/best friends. Where would we be without them?

Here's a tribute I wrote to my wife a little while back:

http://www.wheelchairkamikaze.com/2009/ ... to-me.html

IHateMS · Post by **IHateMS** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:24 pm

Congratulations! You are very lucky to have her.

My wife and I have been married 23 years. I am blessed to have her.

mrhodes40 · Post by **mrhodes40** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:53 pm

Beautiful Jeff! Joan has been a living representation of sweetnss and light to all here too. She is a special woman, and the world is blessed by her being-ness. Blessings to both of you and Happy Anniversary!
marie

Sharon · Post by **Sharon** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:51 pm

What a lovely tribute Jeff. You are indeed fortunate to have Joan in your life. I would imagine she will make a copy of your tribute and place it in a special place so that she can read it again and again. It is a beautiful, lasting gift.

Happy Anniversary to both of you
Sharon

peekaboo · Post by **peekaboo** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:07 pm

Cheer - not only are you special your husband is too.

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:25 pm

peekaboo wrote:Cheer - not only are you special your husband is too.

agreed, Holly. He's a good man. wow...I'm overwhelmed.
thanks, hon.
Joan

daverestonvirginia · Post by **daverestonvirginia** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:57 pm

Happy Anniversary

whyRwehere · Post by **whyRwehere** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:01 am

Yes, I didn't say happy Anniversary when I replied, but I meant to...
Dave, isn't it like 4am there?

Arcee · Post by **Arcee** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:42 am

Happy Anniversary! Your sharing your insights and experiences regarding MS is enormously helpful; your sharing your devotion and caring is a wonderful example and reminder to appreciate and support those that we love, especially during challenging times.
Enjoy yourselves, and thank you again for sharing it with this community.

gibbledygook · Post by **gibbledygook** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:36 am

Happy Anniversary! How wonderful to able to celebrate this after such an epic voyage of discovery.