Mike Paschall . com

On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 1:06 PM, Stephen Reese, Sr. wrote:

Thank you so much for the Limited edition, signed copy of your book. I haven’t finished it yet, but am very impressed by the interviews and insights of those involved with this undertaking. When I get to Marcy, it most likely will be hard to hold back the tears. We were both blessed to be raised by parents who showed by example that couples are in it for the long run. When times are tough and your loved ones have trouble communicating their feelings or their mind gets to the state where the things they do say carry a razor’s edge, one must look past the aggression or accusations and realize that what they say is often driven by their illness. More often than not, it is just the nature of the disease. Like Randy always told me, you do what you have to do when those you love are in need and whether it’s putting up with the verbal abuse or changing their clothes after an “accident”, “I just think of my actions as paying it forward”. In the end it will look good on your resume’ for St. Peter. My big brother was blessed with a kind heart and a “glass is half full” way of looking at life.

When someone faces the imminent loss of a loved one, education about the upcoming future and things they should expect to encounter along the way doesn’t make the job easier, but helps out with the mental and spiritual stress of the whole ordeal. Keeping informed about their condition and attending group therapy goes a long way towards understanding that although you sometimes feel alone, there are others out there going through similar situations. It sometimes just feels better to know that you have someone else to lean on whether it is family or a new found friend.

Your book goes a long way to serve the same purpose. If you can get past the part about the inevitable loss and understand the purpose is to show that the vows we make to each other and to God have real meaning. Although you may feel cheated by your limited time together or blessed by the number of years enjoyed, the main point is that you did it together through never ending love.

Thank you again for the book.

Gerry