One More Milestone
- Lori
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
Well, I finally did it. I discarded the last of Joe's medications and supplements. There were about fifteen bottles in this phase. It only took me seven and a half years to work up the courage to face the pain of letting go of this part of his life.

I needed all that time to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for the memories, the sorrow, and the pain those medications represent. (And yes, I followed my pharmacist’s instructions for disposing of them properly).
As I anticipated, the memories flooded back. The nausea, the migraines, the needles and hospital stays, the aphasia, and all the limitations my athletic son endured for three and a half years.
But something else came flooding back. The deepened family connections, the family prayer times Joe instituted, the many friends and extended family members who surrounded us with love and support. The fun times the three kids enjoyed, the music they continued making even as Joe began to lose his guitar and singing abilities, the family trips... So many, many moments of grace and humor, love and fellowship. And quite a few apple pies.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 reminds me that I need not grieve “as those who have no hope". Actually, as I’ve shared before, I am sad for me but glad for Joe. And the gladness tempers the sadness. Joe is not only free from the physical suffering, but also the mental ailments that affect us all at one time or another: the self-doubt, the indecisions (or bad decisions), the broken hearts, and all the rest.
Best of all, he is with his Savior and Friend!
...in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” —Psalm 16:11
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