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I am glad the network has included "Lost a Loved one to Stroke" category. I first came to the site through my son that some of you are familiar with as Wes! (His dad was Wes also.) July 5th will mark two years since my husband of almost 57 years suffered a stroke. He lingered until 11:45 PM July 7th when he drew his last breath. My life changed forever that day. My journey continues but life is so much different. I thank God for my four grown children, the grand and great grand children and all my many other family members and friends but still, I feel like about half of who I was is gone. My older son, Wesley suffered a stroke August 29 of 08, just weeks after his dad had passed away. He mentioned how people in general treat you differently post stroke...well it is about the same when you lose a spouse too. You are no longer a couple, some people, even family members don't come by or call as often as they did. I have found that to be a bit strange because I am still the same person. Just have more responsibilities and am very lonely at times. I do stay very busy. Doing church work on my computer, working at the church, volunteering a lot in different areas, and reading. Even let a grandson talk me into playing games on Facebook! (That is evening desperation!) I am doing great but there are times when it seems like it happened yesterday and at other times it seems a lifetime has passed since that day! Many things have happened to remind me of my loss but I am constantly reminded of how blessed I was and am to have had him in my life for so many years. We had known each other from the age of 12 years and had started holding hands at church by the age of 16. (Thinking that no one would notice.) Oh! the innocence of youth, back then! I did title this correctly.."Been thinking!" Perhaps I should call it, "Remembering!" I have not visited here for sometime nor blogged either. Perhaps I will do more of it again. Remembering how blessed my life was and has been!

I know I called you and wished you a "Happy Birthday" as we, along with you remember this day one year ago! We have all been so blessed as we have watched or been kept abreast of your progress! As I told you earlier, I have prayed for you at least once every day and won't stop yet! :) Your attitude has been great from the beginning and I am so proud of you and very thankful for you too! You're a real trooper! I love you! Mom

:monkeydance: I am sitting here all choked up due to unexplainable emotional feelings. I am so happy for you and proud of you that if I could do a jig like this monkey, I would do it! Probably couldn't move afterward but it would be worth it! Good work and keep it up! Your determination can do nothing but GOOD! Love you! Mom

Yeah! Make sure Deb or Sabrina are watching you when you are in the pool! That could create another problem that you don't want! I am so thrilled with the continued progress you are still making. Harriet is right about the guitar too! There are happy memories of those days. remember band practices??? Remember the guitar Dad gave you! [ha] He paid $5.00 for it. Bought it from Jeff Jefferson across the hall there in navy housing! He never was able to play all that much but he sure enjoyed playing around with the one you gave him a few years later. He taught the grand kinds some songs that I won't say the words to but they all know them! Something about a "Wood Pile" and one about "The preacher man!" He sure enjoyed all you kids and the Grand kinds too! Thanks for the reminder! Love you Mom

I had not seen your latest blogs. It is always good to read those and know more about what is really going on with you! We talk about stuff but you just have a way of expressing yourself in these posts! Talk to you later! Love you Mom

Wish I was close enough to come for dinner! By the way this is your big sister.... When I read it I wasn't thinking that Mom was still logged in.

On this date one year ago, our children and some of the grand children were sitting in a hospital room awaiting the inevitable passing of my husband of almost 57 years and their dad and grandpa. He had suffered a fatal stroke on July 5th but lingered on until 11:45 PM on July 7th. Sometimes it seems as if he isn

I decided to check the site late last night and noticed you had posted. It was too late for me to make an immediate response but it was good to read how you are adapting to your limitations. Yes, a year has made a difference for all of us in one way or another and those changes came so quickly. One thing is for sure, there is no way one can prepare for the changes we were forced to make! As we celebrate the Holiday tomorrow and this weekend, it will be different but we will celebrate and make a new memory! Little did we know last year; what would be happening in less than 24 hours and that is good for had we known it could not have been the happy, fun day that it was. Had you known what was getting ready to happen to you...you would not have been able to enjoy your life up to that moment and there was no way to prepare for that either. We just take what we have, the way things are now and make the best of it! I was sharing the story with our new Pastor today and he felt the need to pray with me for all you kids and all those affected by the death of your dad and for the struggles since that time. We will never forget but he would not want us to still be grieving for him. He is in a far better place than we are! I hope you have a really Happy day tomorrow! We are going to make it a good day!.... My Love Mom

Harriet just sent me a message telling me that you had posted a blog! I have been rather busy and hadn't checked in the last few days. I am grateful for the progress you have made. I know that you will keep on doing everything you can do to continue on this road to recovery. I also know your sister is correct in that you don't have any way of knowing what is going on in the hearts or minds of another person. I wish it were within my power to make everything completely better for you and for those dealing with similar issues such as yours. I wish I had the capability of solving ALL the issues for my family and those I care about but none of us can do that. What we can do is to make the most of who we are and the abilities we do have. We all are fighting our battles of one kind or another, dealing with different struggles from day to day and with God's help we will make it. I actually was glad to see that you had written what you were feeling...that is really good and sometimes very necessary! Jeannniebean made a wise comment...remember to laugh ! By the way....Be glad you don't have to put a bra on with one hand! Love you Mom

wow! You did great telling your vacation story! I almost feel like I was there! [ha] The photo's are great too! I do feel like your recovery is nothing short of a miracle. No, I didn't see you trying to zip your pants but I did hear you trying to get into the bed in those early days! It sounded rather entertaining too! I know what I saw with my own eyes last weekend and was thrilled by the progress you have made. Those weakness you still have as reminders of what happened have only served to make you stronger in other ways. I am so thankful for the recovery I see, and am so proud of you for the determination and strength you have shown! Love you bunches Mom