Today was the first day in the past 91 days that I did not visit Vernon. (Sorry, Vern, if you are reading this later…I still love you, I promise!)  It felt kind of strange taking a full day off, but with the new distance and school starting in a week, it also seems like its time to pace things a little differently. We will see how it goes.  My parents went up instead, and I’d like to make sure that he has visitors on my off-days. If he doesn’t, I’ll be up there every day. I’ll be back again tomorrow.

Since I have nothing new to tell about Vernon today (except for the call from the hospital this morning that he had pulled his own feeding tube out! Go Vernon!) here is a romantic story about somebody else:

Last year, after nearly 27 years of marriage and four children, John and Tammy were on the edge of divorce, but when a surprise heart problem led to John’s hospitalization and several near death experiences, Tammy returned to her husband’s side and loved and prayed him back to life. Both of their hearts changed for each other, and each of them came to appreciate what they had nearly lost.  It was a medical miracle that John survived to tell the tale.  It was also amazing that their marriage not only survived, but grew stronger and sweeter because of the ordeal. They both say they appreciate life in all its aspects more than they did before as they have a second chance.

Last night, they renewed their vows in front of all their friends and family. I was honored to be asked to photograph the event.

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Obviously their beautiful story touched a chord with me.  More than ever do I love hearing stories of overcoming the odds. Even if they are completely different situations than mine, I still feel uplifted and stronger for hearing them.

I wonder how things will be with Vernon and myself at the end of all this. I certainly have come to more appreciate the things about him that I miss. But I would love to think that eventually we will also be a stronger family for it.  That even the hardest times will be something we will look back and be thankful for.

I have a feeling we will.

 

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