How lucky am I?

I recently came across a quote from a silly old bear..."How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." -- Winnie The Pooh. This simple grouping of words have taken on a wonderful, special meaning as a new chapter in my life has begun. My wonderful husband's 3 1/2 + year battle with cancer is coming to an end. We have come face to face with the reality that all battles are not won and life does in fact come to an end sooner than we sometimes expect or want. Love has been a strength in our marriage, along with laughter, respect and devotion. I have been blessed with almost 14 years of marriage to my best friend. He makes me laugh every day, even when we argue. I have felt loved and adored every day since our first date. The biggest compliment I've had in my life is that I am a wonderful wife. I take pride in the house I've made our home. Together, we have been through so much and our adventure continues into this unknown realm of the end of life. I have done much crying and soul searching these last few weeks. I have watched my husband, my love, my hero slowly give in to accept what life is offering him. He inspires me. Such courage and quiet strength. And as we have had our private conversations about our feelings, wishes and plans, it has brought peace to my heart and soul to know we are blessed to have this opportunity to say everything we need to say. And it has been difficult to say goodbye. Why wouldn't it be? But I have faith that someday we will be together again...in a beautiful place where there is no sadness, pain or disease. Where we are with all of our loved ones, surrounded by beauty and peace. This wonderful faith pulls me through the tough moments and gets me through the long nights of being alone in this home of ours. And rather than dwell on the things we haven't done, like trips we wanted to take, having children or remodeling the house...I focus on the wonderful things we have done, like road trips up the coast, running our own business, rescuing two loving dogs, and most importantly, building a marriage of trust, respect, endurance and most of all love. Every time we say I love you, I say it with all my heart as if it were the last time. Everyone should feel this level of passion and devotion, because we don't know when it may be the last time. And now it is my turn to have strength and courage to be the advocate, nurse, chef, chauffeur, chaplain and most importantly, friend and wife. It is my promise to provide comfort, love and peace as best I am able for all the time we have left together. I love you, Mark.