Christine (Tine) Wilson here. Thought I would update you on our lives, so here goes nothing ...
Steve (what I call my husband Rob, his middle name is Steven) and I are still together, surprisingly enough, even after all we've been through these past seven years with our youngest; I consider that a miracle! It is only by the grace of God that we've managed not to get divorced or knock each other's heads off whenever we have an argument!
Our three children (Timon Ezekial, 12, Ecstacie, 9, and Sharif Ford, 7) are doing quite well, even with Sharif's health problems. Sharif is still plugging away, as only he can; he is a child full of courageous spirit! He is absolutely amazing! He doesn't let the fact that he is dependent on a ventilator or others caring for him 24/7 get to him: he still greets the day with a huge smile on his face and a song in his heart!
Sharif was born with spinal muscular atrophy, one of the 40-some neuromuscular diseases; at first he could sit up and walk and talk; now he has to rely on other people to help him get through a single day, and he cannot breathe on his own. He's attached to a mechanical ventilator, which, in kind, is attached to a hole in his throat (tracheotomy).
As you can imagine, Sharif can no longer walk. He gets around by way of an electric wheelchair.
I am extremely proud of Ecstacie and Timon: even though they have a little brother with special needs, they are still very good to him and are more than happy to help him whenever he needs it. Sometimes they fight, but it is never about Sharif's health issues. Their fights revolve around whose turn it is to get on the computer or what program to watch on television! LOL
We are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving; next Thursday is, indeed, Thanksgiving. We are going to go to my mother-in-law's house for turkey, cranberries, stuffing, and all the trimmings, then lie around like slugs for the remainder of the afternoon until we crash and go to bed (hopefully by nine). Then the next day, after we get everyone loaded up in the van, we plan on making it a day at the mall and take the two younger kids to see Santa, so they can whisper their Christmas wishes in Santa's ear.
*Sigh* That time already! Seems like it was only yesterday when spring was coming!
We still have our dog, "Max", a black pit bull who is really a big baby at heart. He doesn't know the meaning of the word "aggressive": he's the type of dog that will let the kids wrestle with him, and he gives the world's best kisses! He's also Sharif's best buddy; they sleep together at night, and if he has a problem, he does a great job in alerting us! We owe our life to that dog: he's saved Sharif from dying more than once!
We had a great Hallowe'en: the children dressed up as a Ninja warrior (Timon), a yellow bird (Ecstacie), and a robot/alien (Sharif). The children's costumes were the hit of our neighborhood; people are still talking about it a month later! LOL Steve and I dressed up as well: he was Frankenstein; I was the Bride of Frankenstein. :) (Yes, we're kids at heart; I'll admit it! LOL)
Well, I need to give Sharif his afternoon round of medications, so I will go for now. I will write in here again; hopefully things will continue to go smoothly for Sharif, as well as for the rest of us! We don't need any unforseen surprises! Until later, keep Sharif in your prayers; pray he continues to do well, in regards to his health, and pray that God gives him more time! Also pray for our sanity and for our country; our country's in sad shape nowadays! I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!
~As always, your friend in Texas, Christine (Tine) Wilson. :)
