October in Texas is always variable. Fall has supposedly arrived but the summer tries to hang around causing conflict. The weather is once again parallel with my life. This month has seen some serious highs and some serious lows. Just two weeks back I was at my wit’s end and yet for the past week or more we’ve been riding a wave of great joy. I’ve reflected back through the years and October seems to just be that month for us.
October 26, 1996 – Jared and I met for the first time. He was a soldier and I was a first-year teacher. One of his buddies had asked my roommate if we would mind hosting a Bible study for soldiers. We said yes and Jared came that night. We instantly hit it off.
October 30, 2004 – The due date for our first child. However, I miscarried the previous spring.
October 24, 2004 – Joy overshadowed grief when we found out that I was once again pregnant!
October 23, 2009 – Jared suffers a stroke at the age of 32.
One of the funny things that happened when he was hospitalized after his stroke was that every time the doctor’s asked him what month it was he would either reply “September” or “November.” They would even have him list the months in order and he would skip October.
As we near the two-year anniversary of his stroke I am so amazed at how much improvement he has made. I am so honored to be married to a man of such remarkable character. He has hung onto his sense of humor and faith in God and has persevered through some incredibly humbling experiences. We have ridden some very tough waves in our marriage as a result of his condition but I am beyond thrilled to be his bride and that God has allowed us to walk this road together. By God’s grace we can face the highs and lows of October!
