Our family has taken a lot of trips lately.  Trips wear me out, plus I have always been a “homebody”, so, I chose to stay home when they left this week…& I’m so glad I did!

Thursday (today) marks (no pun intended) 13 years since my stroke. This week has been my 1st anxiety -free, & stress-free “vacation” in 13 years!  Until this week, I did not think it was possible for someone like me to have a “vacation”. (After all, I never get a break from myself…but those who care for me get a break from me!)  In “honor” of being home “alone”, thought I’d share my responses to these 2 questions:

How might your life be different if…

you had not married Mark?

Stroke or no stroke, I’d think I’d be divorced, & I doubt I’d be a member of the church, since when my testimony faltered (after my stroke), it was his testimony that bouyed me up, & his words that challenged my negative thinking.  If I somehow stayed as a member of the church (like if I hadn’t had a stroke), I doubt I’d be very active in my church…& since my faith is such a HUGE part of who I am,  so I’d be a VERY different person!

your kids hadn’t been born?

Assuming I still had my stroke at 30 years old, if I had chosen to work 1st, I question if my kids would have been born!  In addition, since I studied childhood development in college, I knew how critical the 1st 5 years are, so –even if the doctors had allowed me to have kids, I doubt I would have!  As it was, they were young: 6, 4, & 2 years old…& that was really tough on me having a 2 year old!

However, not having my kids would have been a great loss!  Each child has brought a unique spirit into our home–one that is missing when they are gone now, so it’d be missing if they were not born.  All the kids bring laughter, love, & music into our lives, each in their own way.  In addition, Zach brings a calm feeling & is a peacemaker.  We also currently are immeasurably blessed through his service as a missionary!  Jessie brings an excitement in the air, a zest for life, & a sense of security.  Sophie is very service-oriented, forgiving, & has a good heart (I have always been able to count on her to help me).

13 Years is a long time for my family to take care of me, & each day, I am grateful for their love, support, & service.