Kind of a sucky day for your celebration. Even though I bought your present before I went into the hospital, I don’t feel like I’m doing enough, saying enough to tell you what you mean to me, which is everything. You’ve saved my life, literally and every other way. I wish there were enough words. Or at least more and better words.
You’ve earned, at the very least, a medal for grace under fire. Now, it’s your birthday. You deserve a lot more and better than I can give you right now. Maybe ever.
Happy birthday Baby. You should have traded me in for a model that actually works while I was still under warranty.
As each day wears on and everything starts to hurt, I know I have to struggle through another night and then one more day. Even though each day is a bit better than the previous one … it’s hard. If I was tired before the surgery; I’m depleted since. You have kept me alive, kept me going, put up with all my crap.
You look tired.
You deserve much better. I hope knowing how much I love you and appreciate you will partly compensate for this nightmare I’ve put you through.
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Categories: celebration, Garry Armstrong, Life, Love, Marriage
Happy (Belated) Birthday!
I’m behind a few posts – trying to catch up & saw I missed the party…
Hope all your bday wishes have come true or are in the process of coming true. 🙂
{Birthday Hugs}
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Happiest of birthdays, Garry! Sorry I’m a couple days late. Little behind on my reading. 😦 Beautiful words from Marilyn to this blog’s hero!
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Happy Birthday, Garry; when I was your “fan”, I had a feeling that you were a good and honorable man. How lovely to know that for once I was right! Marilyn, I don’t know either of you, but I am betting that having you alive and breathing next to him is gift enough for Garry.
Mazel Tov to you both!
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Garry pinch-hitting for Marilyn, Mom. Thanks so much for the kind words and support. And, you are so right about Marilyn being my special birthday present. Hope I didn’t disappoint when you were watching the news.
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You never, ever did, Garry.
I am a news junky and I am very particular about who I watch. I just always trusted your voice. Give Marilyn a gentle hug from me, will you?
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Happy Birthday, Gary! A wonderful post, Marilyn. Thoughts and prayers keep heading your way. 🙂
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Bette, Garry here for Marilyn. Thanks for everything!
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Happy Birthday Garry! Marilyn, it is so glad to see you blogging again! Hugs!
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Teddy, Marilyn over extended herself a bit by writing two blogs. So, I’m just pinch hitting with response to comments. Thank you for being here for her. And, thanks for the birthday wishes.
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Marilyn, I’m been following all of this through my better half, Cee Neuner, and when she told me about Garry’s birthday and your blog, I just had to weigh in.
I’ve been through two near death episodes with Cee (ceenphotography.com/my-lyme-disease-story/), I want to tell you that Garry is much happier to have you alive than anything else. I know you feel like crap and have a long way to come back yet, but as someone who once made funeral arrangements (which I thankfully never had to use) I can tell you that even broken down is better than the alternative.
That man loves you. There is only one thing worse than being in the intensive care unit by the bedside of someone you love, and that is going home to an empty house and not knowing if it’s a temporary situation or the beginning of forever. That aloneness is incredible, terrible, oppressive, smothering. I’d write more but I’m crying too hard to see the keyboard.
We’ve been where both of you are now, and it gets better. The “should haves” are horrible energy drains. Get rid of them. Live for the moment. It is the only thing that matters.
It gets a little worse before it gets better, I know. You’ll get more frustrated and tired, and Garry will, too. You’ll get through. You will. And you will be more alive in many ways than you were before. You’ll have a new perspective and appreciation for being together.
Blessings on both of you. You have a wonderful love story.
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Thank you. It’s a hard road and neither of us is at our shining best. It is comforting to know others have trod here, stayed the course and made it out alive. Right now it’s hard to even imagine feeling good again. Thanks for the encouragement. I think we both need it!
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I think the hardest thing Cee had to deal with (other than the physical part of it) was the guilt that came with everything she “did to” me. I will tell you what I told her… be gentle with yourself and just focus on recovery. Resting and healing is your #1 priority, and don’t waste your energy feeling guilty. Things will get better. It just takes time. Let yourself off the hook, relax, and just breathe slowly. Relax. Rest. Heal. Let that be your mantra.
Gentle hugs to you.
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This is Marilyn’s blog but she isn’t up to responding to comments. So, let me just say a heartfelt thanks to you. As I’ve mentioned, while subbing for Marilyn, I feel I come to know all of you in her family as friends. It’s an unexpected pleasure or maybe treasure. I’ve especially enjoyed sharing things with Cee. Now knowing a little of her/your back story, I feel even more of a bond. Thanks, guys!!
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We’ve been together for twenty-five years now, and twelve of those were spent dealing with a mystery illness that almost killed her three times. We now know what it is and Cee is actually healing from it.
Being the caretaker isn’t easy. You have to take care of your partner, comfort all your friends and still try to find some solace and rest for yourself. If you ever need a understanding ear, Garry, let me know.
Hugs and blessings.
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Happy Birthday Garry!!! I’m glad you and Marilyn are together you both seem to fit perfectly together. Both of you get plenty of rest and just enjoy each other.
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Cee, thank you. It’s good to know a little of YOUR back story. Hugs!
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Happy Birthday, Garry! Today’s my b-day, too! 🙂
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Garry for Marilyn here. April 7th must be the birthday for good people like you.
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Thank you so much! Hope your day was special and relaxing. I know that mine was!
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Happy birthday, Garry! ⭐
Marilyn, what a lovely way of honouring the ‘gem’ in your life! 🙂
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Karen, Garry filling in for Marilyn here. Thanks for the birthday wishes. Having Marilyn home makes my day special!
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A lovely, moving post, Marilyn. Happy birthday, Garry! Ali xxx
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Hi, Ali. Garry for a tired Marilyn here. Yes, a terrific post from my wife, a terrific lady. Hugs!
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Thank you, Ma’am. You’ve always been there for me. Ma’am, I sure do like that name, Mary-leen! Wyatt Earp
Sent from my iPhone
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Happy birthday, Garry.
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Thanks, Rich. And, once again, thanks again for filling the blog void with character and style.
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