As he plowed through the clothing aisles, he first caught two coats on the back of his wheelchair, and just kept driving …coats dragging. Later, going down an aisle separating the baby department from the children’s department, he hit a huge display of Pampers and moved the whole display about three feet. 

 

Next, he sideswiped a big display of plastic bottles of ketchup, and 20-30 bottles went rolling down the aisles.

The driver of this machine was my precious husband, and Don was having an absolutely glorious day! I’ll never forget the smile on his face, as he surprisingly drove backward while wanting to move forward. 

Shortly after this memorable trip to Wal-Mart, Don’s health deteriorated more, prompting the need for total nursing care. He was 49. The cause was Huntington’s Disease–an inherited, progressively degenerative brain disorder. Symptoms began to appear when he was 35 and gradually affected his ability to think, speak and walk. 

 

There is no effective treatment or cure. Although medication can relieve some symptoms in certain individuals, research has yet to find a means of slowing the deadly progression of HD.

Three-and-a-half years ago, Don went to heaven. How wonderful to have great memories of our 34+ years together.  

That day in Wal-Mart, I didn’t feel very blessed or teachable as I tried to repair the damage being done. Sometimes in the midst of our trials, we forget God is working in our lives. 

 

Whatever the Lord is allowing in our lives today, let’s submit to His plan. Let’s allow Him to speak to our hearts, so that we might be more like Him. I’m still learning! How about you?