This is so true. Too often I accept defeat before I even give things a chance. There is so much value in attempting new challenges as I always learn something regardless of the outcome.

I think one of the biggest challenges I have faced since my husband’s diagnosis is that he no longer drives. If we want to go somewhere, it is up to me to get us there. I am finding out that I am a much more capable driver than I thought and that we can go anywhere we went when my husband was behind the wheel. So far we have found our way home even when we get lost. It has been a growth experience for me.

Even more important though is how I “try” to help my husband as he is impacted by this chronic illness. The role of CarePartner is difficult at best and can sometimes feel devastating. Simple daily tasks have become challenging as he struggles with a body that doesn’t cooperate any more. I struggle with knowing when to step in and help and when to step back and let him do it on his own. “Try” for me can often mean doing nothing as I work to figure out how best to support him.  Success for us is almost always defined in different terms, for me it may be patience and for him perseverance or persistence.

We are both learning new ways to interact as we move forward together. We are learning to laugh when things are tough and to respect each other as we find our limits. There will be trials and errors, there will be successes and failures, but most importantly, there will always be love. We can make it through this together no matter what the challenges as long as we never give up and stop trying.