Before I lose the ability to say this, I want to say it now to my family. Especially my wife Meg. But I also wish to say this on behalf of others who may not be able to.

As a Caregiver, to me, you did everything humanly possible. At times, your strength astounded me. Matched only by your fierce demands that I never give up on myself. I can only imagine how often you cried away from me. You only complained when I would lose my way, which was more often than I let on. Yet you never gave up on us.

When I’m done with my journey, you will wonder if you could have done more. Everyone will tell you you did all you could. But you won’t believe them. You will doubt and beat yourself up. Don’t, I know you won’t listen to me. But give yourself some grace, lots of it.

Don’t you realize what you did? You were my nurse, my counselor, my homeopath, my companion. You were a slew of other professions all rolled into one body. You cared for me like no other could. And you still think that wasn’t enough. You may always feel that way. Just know that I don’t believe that.

I know, first hand, what you did for me. More than anyone could have expected, more than should be expected. This disease, this curse, befell us unexpectedly. And you performed the astounding feat of making my broken life oh so worth living.

No longer physically able, you did everything for me. That was enough. You wiped more than just my nose and tears. That was enough. You stayed awake, counting my breaths, I knew. That was enough. You exhausted yourself doing everything for everyone. That was enough. You endured our ALS… that was enough.

You were always enough.

TJO