In sickness and in health...


Fifteen years ago today Cathy and I included this phrase in our wedding vows.  Like any newlywed couple we had no idea what life had in store for us.  We knew that whatever life brought, we wanted it together.  We've had plenty of good health and plenty of sickness.  All of it has been made better by Cathy's presence.  With Cathy, the good times are more enjoyable and the hard times are more tolerable.  We have plenty of practice in caring for each other.  When I began thinking of the list of times we've cared for each other in times of need it made me think, "Are we the calamity couple?"  Together we've made it through thyroid cancer, three childbirths, two knee surgeries (three if you count Jonah), two miscarriages, and appendicitis.  It would be easy to think that we've never enjoyed the "in health" part, but we've had many more healthy times that sick times.  It's been a blessing to have Cathy care for me during the last fifteen years and it's been an honor to care for her.  The present time is certainly the most concerning of our times of sickness, also the longest time of sickness with many more months of treatment and recovery to come.  I'm thankful that I can be part of her healing process, though.  


I've read lots of books about cancer by doctors, patients, survivors, and caregivers.  One phrase that I read from time to time is, "Cancer is the best thing that ever happened to me."  While I don't think that cancer is a good thing, it often brings a different perspective on people's lives than they had before their cancer experience.  I wouldn't say that I'm thankful for any of our hospital visits (except the visits that yielded children), but they have been an important part of who we have become as a couple.  Our experiences have built a stronger bond between us, a greater faith in one another, and a greater faith in God together.  I think that's what those vows are about.  


Happy anniversary to my bald and beautiful wife, Cathy!  I'm looking forward to all that the the next fifteen years bring, as well as the fifteen after that and the fifteen after that and the fifteen after that.  I love you!