Never Say Never

Dear Family & Friends,

Way back before we had kids, we used to tease our friend because she would always sit in the back seat of the car with her babies. She would tell me “never say never.” As the years passed, I would watch the stages she went through with her kids and think to myself “I would never...” She always seemed to know what I was thinking and would often remind me to “never say never.” Wouldn’t you know it, when Clarissa was born, guess who sat in the backseat with her on the way home from the hospital. Me. From that day on I learned to “never say never.”

When Curt & I decided to start a family we were excited to share all the experiences of caring for our babies including doctor visits, story time and diaper changes. There was one thing that I opted out of; nail trimming. For some reason I am grossed out by trimming fingernails and toenails. Oh and even worse to see a bloody stubbed toe, a smashed nail or a broken nail. I just can’t bear it. So from the beginning, Curt has always been in charge of nail maintenance...until now.

Because of ALS Curt has no strength in his hands and he is unable to trim his nails. A few months ago when I saw his hands were getting weak, I thought “oh no” how are we going to deal with this. One Friday afternoon, we went to lunch and I lured him into a Nail Spa. He told me “no thank you” to a pedicure and said he would wait for me. I wouldn’t take no for an answer and was finally able to convince him to try it. After only a few minutes in that comfy massage chair with his feet in warm water and all the workers swooning over his gorgeous feet, (seriously, everywhere we go people compliment him on his nice looking feet....whatever?) he was hooked. So for the last few months we have had “date days” at the Nail Spa. We sit side by side and hold hands while talking about the past or making plans for trips or parties. Curt has his regular girl Suzanne who does a great job keeping his fingernails and toenails trimmed. The last time we were there, while Curt was using the restroom, Suzanne asked me when Curt was going to get better (she thought he had hurt his leg). When I told her he had a terminal disease she immediately began crying. I felt bad for her, she could barely hold back the tears during his pedicure.

These days it is getting more difficult to get Curt out and about. It takes awhile to get in and out of the car, in and out of places and he gets tired easily. We still do a lot, but we have to limit our activities a little. I guess mani/pedis have not been a priority lately. I didn’t think much about it until the other night in bed when his toenail scratched me. Shoot, I knew there was no time for a visit to the Nail Spa for the next few days. So yesterday I took a deep breath and dove in and trimmed his nails. It wasn’t so bad. I am definitely not very good at it, but I got the job done. Yay! Never say never.

Along with trimming nails, I never thought I would have the nerve to give someone a shot. I slipped into that slowly. After “letting” Clarissa & Corbin take turns each night giving him his shot (injection), I just kind of hid out in the background. Then there came the night when no one was home but Curt & I. I had no choice; I prepared the syringe, found the spot on his arm and then closed my eyes as I pushed it into him. Each time I give him a shot it gets easier. Now it is no big deal.

This weekend I strung a new basketball net in the basketball hoop all by myself (under the direction of Curt). I repaired the ice-maker, organized the attic and helped Cayden & Corbin hang Christmas lights. These are all things I never would have done before.

Love is blind. Love helps me get past the things I am uncomfortable with and allows me to do what needs to be done. With love all things are possible. This disease is forcing us all to jump into areas that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable. We have each learned to “never say never.”

Love,
Cindy, Curt, Clarissa, Cayden & Corbin

Our Company Christmas Party
December 4, 2010

 The Mariachi Band

Corbin's School Christmas Program
December 7, 2010

  

Ice Cream with the Melanson & Gallie (not pictured) Families
 at Fuddruckers after the program!

 

Corbin, Lauryn, Camryn, Nathan & Baylee