We are born into this world feeble and completely dependent on someone to care for us. We can’t walk or talk. Can’t feed ourselves or tend to sanitary needs. Mom wiped our booties. Burped us. Kept us safe. Gazelles, on the other hand, are born ready for the world! Then again, they also have ravenous lions cheetahs and hyenas lurking and ready to pounce on them straight out of the womb! So, yeah, being human has its benefits.
As we grow up, independence slowly infiltrates our lives. We reach our teenage years and start to spread our wings. Right after my 18th birthday, I mean not even a week, I was on my first plane flight to San Diego, CA. Off to Navy basic training. Life under my parent’s wing was officially over. Four years on your own makes you grow up real fast. In the blink of an eye, I was on my way back to Texas; the next chapter of my life would soon begin.
Life moves along so quickly when you are an adult. Don’t you think? Next thing I know, I am married to the most wonderful woman with 3 great children under our wings, now. Our turn to nurture and care for someone other than ourselves. We watch them make their way through life and take on their own independence. In just a few short months, our youngest will be graduating from high school and we will be empty nesters.
The irony of this story unfolds with ALS. As we should be moving into the next phase of life, ALS is slowly bringing me back to a life much like how this story started. This November will mark three years since my diagnosis and much has changed. My hands are all but useless now. I can no longer lift my arms at the shoulder. Walking consists of short shuffles from room to room with my rollator. If I want to have longer jaunts, I break out my 4×4 power wheelchair ! Speech is becoming a task now and my breathing continues to worsen.
At 43 years old, ALS is making me dependent on others for daily living. My wife has now essentially inherited another child when she should have been done. I dare her to hold me in her lap and rock me to sleep! She already feeds me, bathes me and dresses me. She helps me in and out of bed along with tucking me in. Which is actually pretty nice! In a lot of ways it is like being a baby all over again. Although, this time I am quite spoiled ! The kids were so lucky to have her as am I !!
Made me smile. Thanks.