Hi,
I am the one whose home is pictured here. Thank you so much for your kind words! I nearly started crying when I read that someone (you) had actually picked mine as their favorite. I don’t think I am going to win because I am not good with a video camera and now I see how much more the videos captured people’s attention. But you did hit the nail right on the head with your blog. Not having my husband to the fullest of his capacity has changed our lives in a way you seemed to grasp right away, even without knowing the full story - which I could not tell in 250 words. My husband was the real bread winner here. Even though he improved enough to return to work, he lost half his customers because he could not travel (he’s in sales). I had to quit my own job as a newspaper reporter because it took me away nights when I need to be here to care for him. All the home maintenance, including an acre and a half of land, has fallen to me and it never seems to end. I do have an older son and daughter, but my son works two jobs so he can pay to finish college. My daughter is trying to save money to start her own life with her fiance but she does help us out as well.
This house was our dream home, even though it doesn’t look like much of a dream to anyone but us right now. We were so excited about fixing it up ourselves. We saved up for three years, during which I battled ovarian cancer and my youngest, who is now 13, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and asthma. Now all of this may sound like a “sob story,” but the truth is, even after being hit with a stroke, cancer, diabetes and asthma within a four-year period, we would always say, “Hey, despite all of it, we’re still standing!” Because that’s the way you have to look at things, I think. We still have each other and that is a huge blessing!
It is a true thing I said in my essay, though, about being ashamed that we couldn’t hold my daughter’s engagement party here or offer to host a bridal shower here. A mother can’t help but want to do those things for her daughter. Well, who knows? Maybe I will get lucky and win one of the prizes. Either way, you made my day just by sympathing with me! Thanks again so much!