Thumbs Up ! no matter what.
Why I Am Thankful For My Half Glass
For one thing, there are a lot of people who are worse off that we are. We have been blest above measure and we are very thankful for each blessing. Most who have ALS are much young than I, even as young as in their 30s such as former NFL player Steve Gleason, who is about 1 year ahead me in the progress of this disease. Steve has a great website at http://www.teamgleason.org/about/
ALS patients like Steve who are young and struck down in the prime of their life should receive the sympathy, not me. So don’t feel sorry for me, because I do not. I will be 70 years old on December 1, 2012 and I have enjoyed life with many blessings, more than deserved. Sure, Carole and I are saddened because the retirement we envisioned is not going to happen. I don’t want to leave my very soul mate behind and alone. And I really hate putting Carole through all this and seeing me slowly die. As the youth of today say, that really sucks.
But, we must look to see what is still left in the glass instead of focusing on what is gone – and there is much for which to be very thankful.
So what is in my half glass?
Let’s take a look.
- OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST
First and foremost, Carole and I have our faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that we will be together in eternity with our savior Jesus who loves us and accepts just as we are, sinful and imperfect. Unlike other religions, which we consider to be false, we are saved by faith alone so we do not need to fear death. This is huge because there is no fear of death. This is not the end but the beginning of a life without pain or sorrow that will never end. We have a Savior who loves us and promises to not hold our sins against us when we face the judgment before a Holy God. And all this is offered as a free gift to all mankind in return for faith in Him alone for salvation. So we live in confidence that by God’s grace through Jesus Christ we are under His “Grace” . The Bible says “it is appointed for man to die, and then to face judgment” We are all going to die, I just happen to know where the probability lies. But only God knows exactly how and when I will die. The pulmonary doctor at KU Med said most people die when they have a blood clot in each lung as I did when I had my feeding tube installed. - OUR MARRIAGE
I believe that the best gift you can give your children is a loving marriage between husband and wife. It makes the children feel secure and they can sense when there is friction. Carole and I are truly soul mates and our marriage can only be described as “awesome” and a gift from God. I couldn’t ask for better wife than Carole. On July 20, 2012, we celebrated 21 years of marriage. We had both suffered divorces and we both had two children. We both consider all four as true sons and daughters of both of us and we love them dearly. All four are very supportive for us in these difficult times. My past 21 years would not have that the richness without Carole, and Carole has been good step mother to my children as I hope I have been to her children. I am so thankful to have her by my side. - OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDRENAll our children and grandchildren are healthy which is an enormous blessing. We are very proud of all our children and grand children and they are a great support to us now.
- OUR NETWORK OF RELATIVES, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS
We had no idea that we had such a network of relatives, friends and neighbors that would gather around us to support us in a multitude of ways. We certainly are blest by their presence and efforts. - The Resources We Have Have to Make Things Easier
Carole and I often say, “ what would we have done if we were not retired or still had children at home when I got ALS”. My heart goes out to those families in that situation. With KU Med just a short drive away and a strong local ALS support group with a nurse leading it, we are well informed and in a position to take advantage of the latest devices to make this disease easier to deal with. - OUR MEMORIES
Since we were empty nesters for quite a while, we did take time to “smell the roses along the way” and we are rich with fond memories. My advise to others, don’t wait until retirement to do some of things you want to do together. We are so thankful for memories and photos we have of all the things we did together.This makes my glass half-full. I am so thankful that these things were not in the half that is gone.
Thanks, praise and honor be to our God who is the giver of life and who owns it all !May God’s grace be on us all, Amen
Awesome testimony. I cannot hear your message enough!
I have been blessed to have you as a father and as a loving husband to my mother. Your marriage is, and continues to be, an inspiration to Julie and I and you’ve been a perfect role model for me as I learn to be a father myself.
Love you
Ryan, you certainly a blessing to me and it warms my heart to hear you say the things you do. When your mother and I got married, our goal was to demonstrate to our chrildren by example what a lovering marriage should look like. It is heart warming to hear that you and Julie consider as such.
Hi Les,
Your website came to my attention after I ran into your cousin at the Albany airport. We both had attended a wedding together and I remembered having seen her there. As such, I approached her an a conversation ensued which led to an exchange of addresses, and the next thing I knew I received an e-mail containing the following text:
Bill,
I trust your journey home from the wedding was a good one.
We certainly enjoyed the opportunity to visit with you during Molly and Dave’s Festivities.
I had said that I would forward my cousin’s blog site to you so here it is.
Les and Carole have really approached his ALS with heroic faith, as you’ll be able to tell looking at the site.
All the best,
Sharon & Steve McCray
http://www.lesvahsholtz.org
…Les, you should know that my brother Bob passed away after having battled ALS.
Bless you for …after all you have done to stand …you are standing having your feet shod about with the preparation to preach the gospel of Christ.
Sort of reminds me of the boat we all are in.
Which, when I heard of you faith and love of Christ, I was taken by the rememberance of our mutual hope …that I may know Him and the power of His resurection …and the fellowship of His suffering …being made (day by day …here a little …there a little …line upon line …precept upon precept) comformable unto His death.
Bless you brother!
I take comfort in an imeasurable confidence of the joy of our hope’s rest …one that we will all share in His promise fully.
All the best,
Bill
Bless you for ha
Bless you for having taken a stand …
Hi Bill,
Sharon dropped by today and said you might be contacting me through my blog. I am so glad you did. Our graceous Lord promises to work all things for good to those that love Him and I know He is touching people I don’t know through my blog. And that is very humbling to me. Last week my blog got a virus and I realized how easy it is to shut my blog down, so I dare not take credit but give Him all the glory as it is His blog not mine. When I had my feeding tube surgery I developed a blood clot in each lung, and the doctor said most don’t live to tell about it. That was before I actually started the blog. God could have taken me home with those two blood clots but He has chosen to use my ALS to touch others instead. As life gets more difficult for me now, I dare not complain and give Him all the glory.
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