Act of Love

Three years ago today my husband, Steven, passed away from cancer. He was diagnosed in December the year before and 10 months later lost his battle with this disease. He did not give up fighting ever. His courage and bravery was astounding in the face of all the treatments he had to endure and the realization that he was not going to get better.

Today the memories of that last day just overwhelm me but one stands out in particular. My husband waited several hours for the kids to come to his bedside before passing away. The end had come much sooner than we had expected.

The kids (Jacob was 8 yrs and Teia was a year old) were actually on another island visiting relatives when the hospice nurse told me that she thought his time was very near and that I should say my goodbyes now. I hurried into the room and begged him to please wait until the kids returned so they also could have a chance to say goodbye. While waiting, I told him how much I loved him and how happy he had made me throughout the years. I was glad to be able to look back and know there was nothing to regret in our relationship. I told him that I would be strong and I would take care of myself and the kids. Several hours later the kids returned with his mom. Everyone had a chance to say their goodbyes and 5 minutes later he was gone. He had hung on until the kids were there and then left peacefully. It was an amazing act of love.

In the immediate aftermath, it was hard to remember what my life had been like before we knew he had cancer. Now three years later I can remember the beautiful life we shared and not just that last year, month, day. I am grateful to be moving forward in this journey of my life. I am also grateful to have known and been a part of this wonderful man's life.