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To quote oldfrat (Brad) from a different thread...
"I did add my prayers, even though I was questioning the value of my prayers at the time as a result of losing my bride of nearly 47 years on 3/5."
It is not within our power to understand God's plan, I only hope that you can take comfort in the memories of the 47 years you and your bride shared together. I'm sure I speak for your entire FAOL family when I say, our thoughts are with you, sir.
My condolences also. My wife and I will celebrate our 47 th this year.
What Royce said. Sorry for your lose.
Kerry
Thanks, guys.
Charlie died suddenly, unexpectedly and medicated to be pain and worry-free after collapsing while visiting our son Evan's family and meeting a new grandson. Her underlying disease was only diagnosed two days before her death -- a rare and deadly form of an auto immune disease I'd never heard of before called scleroderma. It had previously manifested itself as rapidly advancing dementia and increasing joint pain. In its last manifestation it showed up as total kidney failure and then internal bleeding.
It may sound like a cliche, but I've now come to believe that her sudden passing was one of God's blessings. Both of our future lives would have been hellish if she had survived that last battle. She's now in a better place. I'm coming to grips with things and think I am back on the mend. If my rapid recovery and acceptance appears unseemly to you, please keep in mind that I have been grieving the loss of the wonderful woman I married for a few years now as this horrible disease ravaged her brain and her body.
She was a registered nurse and took unusually good care of her health. All of my retirement planning was based on the assumption she would outlive me by 20+ years. Adjusting to life without her is very strange.
In the interest of passing on some of my learning from this experience, please make sure you have prepared for your time by having all of the necessary documents in place:
*Recently updated will (I've learned only 30% of people have them.)
*Medical directive for end of life decisions. (File a copy with your PCP doctor.)
*Medical Power of Attorney.
*Financial power of attorney. (In case you become unable to make financial transactions/decisions before death.)
*HIPAA medical information release forms. (A relatively new development you really need.)
*A document stating your wishes for final arrangements of your remains, ceremonies, etc.
It is best to have a lawyer do these for you but, if you want to avoid the cost of that now, there is software called WillMaker that we used, will do a very adequate job for you and is easy to update as your life situation changes.
Please, folks, do your family a big favor and get these documents completed!
Brad
Brad,
I too extend my sincerest condolences to you and yours. My wife and I will also be clebrating our 47th this June. I could not imagine life without her.
Mark
Brad, My condolences and thank you for your remarkable suggestions.
Brad, Our condolences and prayers for you and your family. Jim
The wife n my condolences as well Brad... n feel as I do for my own wife..
I fully understand n not at all find your actions strange...
Suffering is nothing i'd ever wish for my loved ones... my thoughts are with you..
My thoughts are with you Brad. You sound like you are handling things as best as these things can be handled, but don't forget to let family help you too. As I'm sure you are well aware, on this journey, there are times when every one of us must rest and let others carry the load for a time. Take care.
- Jeff
Brad,
I know this is hard to accept, but, you must remember that God makes no mistakes and He needed her for another adventure. He knows what you need and He will guide you and comfort you through this period in your life.
You and family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
You have my deepest condolences.
Tim
Brad,
I'm so sorry for your loss; thoughts and prayers to you and your loved ones.
Scott
Brad,
I hadn't paid attention to some of the threads here and missed this information. My condolences to you and your family for your loss.
Allan
You have our condolences on the loss that you have experienced. Both the Ladyfisher and I lost our spouses. My wife had cancer for 26 years and we were married for nearly 47 years when she died. Like you, we had planned to spend many years in retirement but we only had one year before she died. God blessed us with many good years despite her cancer but I am glad that when the time came for her to go home that she did not linger or suffer. May God bless you as you grieve, but we grieve but not as those that have no hope.
The Chronicler and Ladyfisher