In the fall of 2003, I noticed incipient signs that things were not quite right with Linda’s memory. In the ensuing years I chronicled what I observed, what physicians said, the suffering that she and I endured, and ultimately the awareness that God was doing something wonderful in our lives.
Around 2017, I began to share tidbits of the journey with three persons who are very near and dear to me. Each of them, unaware of what the others were saying, urged me to recognize that our story should be shared with the body of Christ, especially those who are at various stages of a similar journey.
My first blog was published on August 2, 2020 and Linda went home to be with her Lord on May 23, 2023. The 149 blogs that were published during this time cover a nearly 20-year journey. They are now archived and available for viewing.
Embracing Suffering
During young adulthood, suffering was not on my personal radar screen. That was something that happened to other people, usually older and probably not very close to Christ. I had more important things on my mind. My beautiful wife was doing a great job taking care of our growing family which left me free to…
Trusting God
TRUST GOD! When facing a trial or hardship, almost all followers of Christ have been given that advice; and it is usually given by someone who genuinely cares for us. For me, the authenticity of the admonition is never an issue; however, applying it to a situation that I am facing is another story. My…
Adjusting to Living Alone
In an earlier blog, I related how in June 1963, God inspired me to establish the framework for my life, marriage and family. Over a half century later, with my dreams ripped apart, a simple question begged to be answered: What now? Amazingly, an old song, published in 1887, which I learned as a child, pointed…
Climbing Higher
This week, while searching for a way to illustrate where Linda is on her journey, the Holy Spirit forcefully brought to my memory a conversation she and I had nearly thirty years ago. Perhaps, conversation is not a good word. It was near the end of the day and I was a bit drained; Linda,…
Growing Together
I have no way of knowing whether Linda will be with me for days, months or years; however, I would be in complete denial to not realize that the end of her battle with Alzheimer’s is drawing nearer. In last week’s blog, I stated: “As the hands on the clock move ever closer to midnight,…
Unending Love
When Linda and I started elementary school, she in Indiana and I in Florida, I am certain neither of us had any inkling that seven decades later a little hymn we sang in Sunday School, “Jesus Loves Me,” would continue to inform our understanding of unending love. The lyrics first appeared as a poem in Say…
Transitioning
Hindsight is 20/20! Acknowledging that truism, I am circling back to the ending of last week’s blog with the intent of providing clarity and urging primary caregivers not to repeat a mistake that I made. At that time, the thoughts that I shared under “Circumventing Confusion” were relevant, yet incomplete. I am restating that material,…
Exhausting My Options
Reflecting on the wonderful day that Linda and I enjoyed on July 27, I ended last week’s blog on a positive note: “… I cannot understand why, against the backdrop of so many painful memories, God chose to break the pattern and bring me such joy.” Since then, after watching her struggle with recurring episodes…
Dying
During nearly four decades of pastoring, my ability to comfort those who were facing death was sometimes hindered by sincere, well-intentioned persons who insisted that we can remain healthy until God calls us home. Such a view point denies the medical reality that more often than not, death is a painful process, as well as…
Safe in the Arms of Jesus
In last Sunday’s blog, I noted: “Linda is in the process of passing and will probably be in the arms of Jesus before the weekend is over.” That did not prove to be the case. Once again, she demonstrated the unpredictability that has defined our journey from the very beginning of her sickness, and passed…
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