Wednesday, May 18, 2011

~LOVE IS ENOUGH~

~WEDDING DAY MEMORIES~
My AGPMan's Parent's Wedding Day 1952

It was a hot July day in the summer of 1977 when I first met the man who would eventually become my father-in-law. Back then my Mr. AGPMan's dad had yet to reach the age of 50 and was still living a very full life with the sweetie of his youth... 
 ~WEDDING DAY MEMORIES~
With Mr. AGPMan's Parents - 1978

I couldn't possibly have known it then, but I would one day grow to dearly love the man my Mr. AGPMan has lovingly called "Pop".  And, for as long as I live I will always remember what he said to me when I met him for the first time.  I was only 18 years old and hopelessly "in love" with their second child, their then 21 year old son, Steven. 
 ~PRECIOUS MEMORIES~
My Beloved with His Parents - 1978

"Well, Becky!
(insert big hug here)
We've heard so much about Steve's 'big city girl'!  How in the world did he ever catch the likes of you!???  Huh?
(insert another big, long squeeze here)
Now...sit down and tell me all about yourself!  We are so excited to have a real live GIRL in our lives!" 
~THE DAY I MET STEVE'S PARENTS~
Summer 1977

Through God's grace we've somehow managed to stay together all these years.

Last Monday I stood back in the shadows as my hubby and his older brother assisted their mother as she placed their once strong minded, able-bodied father into long-term nursing home care.  Just like my own father, my Mr. AGPMan's dad has fallen prey to Alzheimer's.  Of the three major stages of the disease we believe Steve's dad is in the later part of stage two...  
This decision was a long time coming...
And one very difficult for his mother to make.
~STEVE and HIS FATHER~
Summer 2003

I snapped a lot of pictures over this past weekend.  Most are too private to share publicly and hard for even me to view at present.  Maybe one day I will feel differently.  We are all taking one day at a time and trusting God for His continued mercies and unfailing love to carry us through...
~ME and MY MOMMA-IN-LOVE~
(Miss Mollie, too!)
Spring 2011

For now the photo below sums up all I was thinking and feeling last Monday~  I was in awe of my beloved and the love and care in which he showed his mother.  His daddy would be soooo proud of him...
~A PRICELESS EMBRACE~
Mr. AGPMan and His Momma
Spring 2011

"Train up a child in the way he should go,
      And when he is old he will not depart from it." 
(Proverbs 22:6 NKJ)
Just seeing this picture reminds me once again of WHY I'm still married to this amazing man!  He has a heart for God and for those around him...  I'm soo incredibly blessed.

~~*~~

It's good to be home again.  Thank you for all your emails and comments.  I'm overwhelmed by your love and support.  Thank you again so very much!

I will return sometime tomorrow with the winning name of my latest GIVEAWAY!  Stay tuned...another one will come at the end of the week.

Blessings and love to each of you...

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Rebecca....I was afraid something like this was the reason
you two had to leave so suddenly..
words cannot tell you how very sorry I am for Steve, his father and mother, and for you, too. You, of all people, know how this terrible disease robs you of your loved ones....it is a cruel, selfish disease to witness and to have happen to someone you love. I know everyone drew strenght from Steve's and he will always be there
for his mother....and father..just like you are for yours. How doubly sad both of you have parents with this thief.
I will be remembering you daily and often in my prayers and please know that I care so much for both of you....I am so sorry....
Sad hugs and love, Francy

Mr AGP said...

My Darling Rebecca, I am so blessed by God to have you in my life. I know how difficult is was for you to make this journey with me and leave your business when we had just returned from vacation. Thank you so much for your love and support. And thank you for all the pictures. If you had not been there we would have no pictures to mark this family time. Though sad, they are very precious to me and will be to our children and so on. Your love and compassion never cease to amaze me.

You are and always will be my precious bride.

I love you,
me

Carol said...

I know personally how difficult it is to deal with the "monster in the brain" called Alzheimers. Rebecca, you have walked your Father's footsteps& remained close to him on his journey of deterioration. Therefore you understand the "distance" this disease brings to the family. Your hubby is so very Blessed to have you hold him up during these difficult days. I know he thanks you for your Ministry as do so many others.
God's Peace,
Carol from Good "Ol Texas

Marilyn said...

Many of us will be sharing a journey like yours in years to come and my hope is that we can all support each other in this difficult time of life for our loved ones. It will be very important to remember the person that was and the healing that will come in God's time. May He continue to hold your dear family firmly in His arms and let His love keep peace in your hearts. ♥♫

Jill said...

Hi!

Just found your blog, what a lovely place to visit! I will be keeping your family in my prayers.

Blessings,
Jill

Jocelyn said...

Oh Becky, this is just so hard. My hubby and his 4 siblings are caring, round the clock for their 90 year old mother. She has Parkinson's and is growing weaker every day. But her mind is still good, and she wanted to stay in her own home. So these dear children of hers are giving up their days and nights to stay with her and their 92 year old Daddy. What a sweet sacrifice. It's a beauty that we rarely see anymore. Blessings to you and your sweet family.

Julie Harward said...

Thanks for your visit Rebecca, this post is so full of love..I loved it all. Thanks foe sharing family..it is everything isn't it?! (And yes, you can come live here!) ;D

KatyDidStitches said...

I had a feeling it was something like this that took you away for a while, Rebecca. Please know that we are praying for you...and Steve...and especially Steve's mother. How incredibly heart-breaking this must be for her.

Kathy

Old Time Cindy said...

Rebecca,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Cindy

Victorian1885 said...

Big hugs for all of you..

Wanda

Anonymous said...

I so know what you both are going through.....
The love of a child for their parent??? Priceless.....
Love you Sweetie....My prayers are with you both always.
Marilyn

Dolores said...

With tears streaming down my face as I read this beautiful post......I think you know how how I feel.

I love what your father in law said to you!!! Sweet and precious memories! Sweet, sweet pictures !

My heart aches for you and your family......

My thoughts,prayers and love to you all !

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Thinking of you and your hubby during this difficult time. But that picture with his mom....priceless!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Rebecca
Another difficult journey begins, especially for your M-I-L but with the strength of family together you'll cope with this too.
If your precious Pop receives the kind of care my mother did, you can rest assured he will be well looked after.
Wishing you sunny days ahead.
Judith

Anonymous said...

HI.. SAD BLOGGING TODAY,, REBECCA...TEARS FLOWED WHEN I SAW YOUR HUBBY AND HIS MOM... BUT WHAT I NOTICED WAS=====HE WAS SHELTERING HIS MOM AS MUCH AS HE COULD... WITH HIS ARMS AROUND HER... YOU CAN SEE THE PAIN ON THIER FACES .. MAY GOD ALSO PUT HIS ARMS AROUND ALL THE FAMILY ALSO... GOD BLESS.. LOHOMA...

NanaDiana said...

My tears join yours. My own Mother died from Alzeheimers and it is a horrible end to life. God bless you and your hubby and the spouses. Hugs- Diana

Julie Marie said...

Dear Rebecca... once again, I have no words... just tears... and thoughts about the beautiful family you have and love... Mr. AGP is such an inspiration himself... prayers to you all, full of love from me... xoxo Julie Marie

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I see that there is SO Much LOVE in your home...that is a Blessing.
I just re-read my Sept. Romantic Homes from 2006 and found your article about the train cases. I have one and will someday "do" it up. I don't think I'll paint it, just add some pretty embellishments.
May God's arms be felted around you and your family during this time.
Warmly,
deb

Screaming Sardine said...

What a very moving post, Rebecca. I have tears in my eyes. Please let your husband know that he, his mom, his dad, his brother, and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Tracy

joanne said...

Dear Becca,
you have touched my heart with your beautiful post today. The picture of your man wit him mom is priceless and says more than any words could ever say. What a Blessing to have such a wonderful family...hugs and prayers to you all.

Shirley said...

Hi Becky, I cried for you and your family tonight. It is so sad, but with the grace of god you will have the strength and prayers from your blogging friends to help you and your family see it through.It is hard to put family members in the nursing home when you can no longer manage to care for them yourself. I have been there. It is so hard. I am sending you prayers and hugs to you and your family. Your Missouri Friend

Mariette said...

Dearest Rebecca,

Thanks for stopping by and letting me visit you back... We got home from a trip to Atlanta, always tiresome at the end of the day. But I'm glad I did come over here. You both get a big all-around hug from me and lots of love. There is nothing we can do but as you write it; LOVE IS ENOUGH and it is now that you all draw from the sweet memories of better days...

Mariette

Lynn B said...

Such a beautiful post and lovely pictures of your husband caring for his Mother. You are all in my thoughts Rebecca, take care and God bless.

manu said...

Dear Rebecca reading your post I was moved. you wrote so many beautiful things and full of love. you feel that you love very much all. I understand the pain of such an important decision and I hope you have the strength to smile in spite of this
Manu

Theresa said...

Oh my dear Rebecca, I am sitting here with tears and a full heart this morning! I will pray for all of you as you go thru this together! I love the picture of your sweetheart and his Mama, print that one and give it to her! She will cherish that picture and feel his hug whether he is there or not!

Love you bunches and am sending a ginormous HUG thru this computer for all of you! PRAYERS!

Gert said...

Oh Rebbeca I am so sorry to read this..I too went through this with my father. You & your family are in my prayers.

Blessings..
Gert

Lisa & Gerald said...

Big hugs....♥ Your sweet friend from Canada Ont......

Jill Farris said...

What a beautiful post about a sad and horrible disease and its effect on your husband's family.

The words of your f-i-l also moved me. What a wonderful way to be welcomed and accepted into a new family. I want to have that same kind of all embracing love and acceptance for my children's husbands and wives.

He sounds like a wonderful man...and what a precious picture of your husband holding his mom.

in Christ,

Jill F.

Mari said...

DEAR REBECCA, I HAVE NO WORDS, SO ILL JUST BE HERE FOR SOME SUPPORT IF YOU EVER NEED IT SWEETIE! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR DEAR SWEET HUBBY IN WHAT HAS TO BE A VERY SAD AND DIFFICULT TIME IN BOTH YOUR LIVES....

BIG HUGGERS~XOXOXO~MARI

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh what a tough time you, your hubby and his whole family had. It is so tough to see your once strong parents fail. I have been there, it's not easy. Part of me had wished my Dad had just dropped over from a heart attack, not wasted away. I know, selfish on my part. I guess Rebecca this is the cycle of life. I am giving you a long distance hug

Carol

Anonymous said...

Hi Reb,
So sorry for all that you and Steve are gong through with his Dad!What a double whammie,having both Dads with that awful disease!I have to tell you that I cried at the pic of Steve holding his Mom! It was so touching! Good luck to both of you.You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!God bless you all! <3
Laurie Beaudette

Kathy B. said...

Dear Rebecca,
I know how hard this can be, having had to be the one to make all the arrangements to put my own father-in-law in the nursing home when my mother-in-law couldn't bring herself to do anything but sign the final papers. She felt she was "betraying" him, as did the rest of the family, while I felt we were doing what was best for him and everyone else. He seemed happy there, was well cared for, and most of all--safe! It's never easy, and Altzheimer's is a terrible disease that robs families of their loved ones before they're really gone. I am in awe of the special angels who care for these patients so lovingly. I pray your entire family is blessed somehow by this experience and brings you closer together as you travel down this road.

TheMuffinMan said...

That is THE most stoic picture (him and grandma, just taken) I have EVER seen... My poor Dad =(

Charlene said...

GOOD LUCK! We are dealing with the same for my Hubby's father. It is so hard to watch! I think it's harder on the loved ones than the ones who have it. Charlene

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