My sweet Angie & I have been married 30 years today. I'm very fortunate to be able to tout that.
On 1/1/26, Angie had an accident in our kitchen which resulted in her fracturing her patella (left leg) as well as a bone in her shoulder. The latter fracture didn't require surgery (thankfully), but Angie was unfortunately advised to have the former mechanically repaired.
Therefore, two screws inserted later (& five days hospitalized at River Oaks), we then returned her to Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital in Jackson for her sophomore stay.
This fall / need for orthopedic surgery introduced levels of physical pain that Angie had never experienced prior. It was so very unlike the ramifications of her stroke back in 2020.
As such, it's been a rough 2026 for sweet Angie.
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This morning, I shared my story with a newfound Samson brother. He asked if I'd ever had sexual relations with another man (this guy, like me, has same-sex attraction). I told him no.
Had I never married Angie, I doubt I'd have answered that same question the same way.
Coitus between husband / wife is such the beautiful, sanctifying illustration between Christ and his church. Plus, coitus simply is refreshing and fun. Especially when you're young and horny. But, to return to that first statement, taking Christ & his church (bride) into consideration, it's imperfect / sometimes quite disillusioned. In other words, though the sex organs might pragmatically fit together nicely, that by no means guarantees an idyllic outcome. For the primary sex organ is the human brain.
Nonetheless, coitus for me, within our marriage bed, took quite the turn due to Angie's neurological issues. For at that point, she became much more like my dependent child than ever before (or every imagined). As such, coitus simply felt inappropriate. Too one-sided. Especially considering how little, if any, she'd be able to contribute.
When you observe / live with a very sick spouse it reminds you constantly of how fragile and timely and episodic life truly is. The Bible cites a time / place for everything. For us, Angie neurological rehabilitation was no way in line with fostering some version of our sex life. And this was fine by us. We were elated that she came away from the stroke with what little neurological damage that she did.
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So, considering the past five months and all the extra care / assistance Angie's needed, we're frankly worn out with each other at the present. There's understandably been a lot of ongoing tension between us that's simply rooted in her being in NEED and me being FUL up.
Humor only goes so far within these situations. Hence, there've been some high intensity / high volume confrontations, most of which were simply borne out of too close quarters for too damn long.
Considering that, my wife is now absolutely, totally back on her feet! Sitting in a chair for hours on end isn't yet possible, but otherwise, she's moving and shaking - to the same degree - that she was a few months post-stroke.
Hence, we're on our way with much to celebrate. What a privilege it is to be Angie's husband.
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