We Are Two People with One Heart

Carlos Briceño avatar

by Carlos Briceño |

Share this article:

Share article via email
telemedicine, positivity, religious beliefs, scooby-doo, empty nesters, food, involved, walk, caregiver, denial, family, love, hugs, realities, family time, courage

My home has been super quiet for the past several days, a silence that will continue for several more as my wife, Jill, visits our daughter on the East Coast.

Jill was supposed to be gone for only four days from Wednesday to Sunday, but her trip was extended when the airline canceled her return flight. Apparently, there weren’t enough passengers to make the flight financially viable. So, she’ll be gone for a week.

Jill was able to take the trip because part of it overlapped with her spring break vacation from work. Staying longer in Boston is not a big deal because she can work from there. As we all know, most of us are working remotely because remote is the new boat we are all floating in at the moment.

My dog and I are holding down the fort.

A note I wrote to my wife and daughter, propped up by our dog, Baby Girl. (Photo by Carlos Briceño)

Not having Jill around is strange. We work 10 minutes away from each other, so back in the day when our jobs actually required us to be at work, we would commute together. I would drop her off first and then pick her up when we were done. We would shop together and hang out at home together. Not only do we love each other, but we also like each other’s company. She is my wife and my best friend.

Can you tell that I love being with her?

I saw a meme the other day that said: “I didn’t realize my wife and I had been social distancing for the past 43 years.” Ouch. How sad, I thought. Jill and I are part of what we refer to as a “squishy” family. Our daughter and our dog also are proud, card-carrying members.

Being apart from Jill makes me realize that I miss her. It also makes me realize that in the years ahead, as her Huntington’s disease progresses, she will experience many changes. She will be present, of course, but aspects of her will be missing. She won’t be as sharp. She might not be as joyful. She might retreat into herself more.

I am not daunted by this knowledge because I realize that her essence — all the aspects of her that make me smile or laugh or fill me with love — will remain because of our shared memories and love.

This is a lesson all caregivers must face: Change is part of life. Yet, I write this to inspire caregivers to focus on the love, and especially on what makes the relationship special.

Though her changes will cause Jill to suffer, what she means to me and who she is will not change, because love — if it is true love — is blind.

Although she may not be at home with me now, she is still with me, because when I feel my heart, I feel hers beating, too.

The poet John Keats, said it well: “Two souls with but a single thought, Two hearts that beat as one!”

***

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.

Comments

B avatar

B

Your message today touched me and I thought that was worth sharing with you. I lost my father to HD last week and although very tough I am grateful for the memories I have with him as well as the "forewarning" to say everything I needed to say.
The more I know about HD the more I understand that the late stages of HD are tough and they are NOT the "essence" of who the person you love really is. Knowledge is power when it comes to HD and allows you to give more grace as a caregiver, spouse, etc. Thank you for sharing your feelings. It touched me and I wanted you to know.

Reply
Carlos Briceño avatar

Carlos Briceño

I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your father. May he rest in peace. With all that is going on in the world, this is an especially rough time to lose your dad, especially in the manner of suffering he probably went through. So I hope you are doing ok and please try to take it one day at a time.
Thank you for sharing all that you did. It was a beautiful testimony to your father and what he meant to you. I agree that knowledge is power, and I agree it does give you more grace.
And thank you for your kind words about what I wrote. I really appreciate it.

Reply

Leave a comment

Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.