Gratitude for Will

Ahh, good 'ol April 19th. A date that will live in infamy - in the Giddens household at least. April 19th is one of those anniversaries that we can't help but look forward to, even if it does commemorate a less than happy event. April 19th, 2003 is the date of Will's rock climbing accident. The accident that has had such a ripple effect on every other aspect of his life. I've been ever mindful that it was this Saturday for about a month now. I don't really want to repeat everything I wrote last year, or bore those who already know the story, but I would like to record my feelings about this date, especially for posterity's sake, so here I go...

Whenever April 19th rolls around I'm always filled with so much gratitude for Will. I always love, admire and respect him, but when April 19th gets here, I'm filled to the brim with love and gratitude for this amazing person I'm lucky enough to call my husband. How lucky am I that he survived the accident and came back to Georgia and met and married me? How lucky am I to have a husband who is so perfectly suited for me and my personality? How lucky am I that we have such a wonderful, happy and fulfilling marriage? How lucky am I to see him be such a devoted and loving father to our two kids? I call it lucky here, but I truly know that Will's life was spared for a reason and there really wasn't any luck involved. I firmly believe Heavenly Father had and still has a special plan for Will's life and that April 19th, 2003 simply wasn't his time to leave this earth.

Will is such a example of strength. For those of you who know him personally, you may have noticed he rarely mentions the pain he's in or that he's uncomfortable in any way. In fact, a lot of folks have told us that they even forget Will's disabled at all. As his wife, I get to see first hand the hardships he endures on a daily basis. From getting out of bed, going up and down stairs, to working in the yard, or running around with Everett. All very simple tasks and yet each provide their own challenge to him and his feet and legs. He rarely complains - even to me. In fact, he usually has a humorous comment and a ready laugh for everyone he meets. I often look at him in sheer amazement that one individual could be asked to endure so much. And yet he does so, with hardly a complaint.

As April 19th is a Saturday this year it's been especially poignant as it was a Saturday five years ago. Sometimes I wish we could turn back time and have things turn out differently, but then I remember that although the accident was terrible, it brought Will and I together and that has been the biggest, most amazing blessing to us both. And so, today marks another year that I've been able to enjoy Will. Here's to many more and happy April 19th to everyone!