The woman I married 33 years ago is Esther, my hero and best friend. I certainly count on her to continue making my life complete. She has endured much in her life, and is like a comfortable teddy bear, soothing and caring.
I still remember the day I came face to face with this lady who inspired me. She proved, without egotistical boasting, a woman could fill a leadership role, and effectively too. And teach a man a thing, or three, to me.
Esther was a divorced mother with three children. And patiently wound her way through the avenues of Family Courts with respect to unpaid Child Support. Then ran the gauntlet of Social Services trying to get minimal help while working at part-time jobs.
The perpetual drain on finances forced her onto General Welfare Assistance, then moving to Family Benefits for sixteen months. Independence thrived within her spirit and although her children were still young, she gambled on her abilities.
After accepting a full-time Banking position she became a role model for her children to emulate in their own search for success.
The woman I came to know very well, my wife, became a confidant in my work. Her invaluable advice brought to my attention, a dimension missing in my own managerial decisions. She provided me with a more balanced wisdom in understanding others.
I also learned about children and their needs, and the recipe for the right mixture of love and discipline in raising a family.
Her strength really shone through after my stroke in August of 1999. Her patience and love nursed me through a difficult journey during my recovery. The change from being a very active outdoorsman to one unable to lift a cup of coffee, nor walk across the floor without massive pain was quite discouraging.
She encouraged me to join her in working as a volunteer with Kane’s Kitchen helping people have a nourishing home-cooked meal. Esther also wished me to go with her to visit the elderly in nursing homes and be by her side in her church work.
Her wise suggestions in getting involved once again helping others took my mind off my own problems. I am forever grateful to Esther, my precious wife, the love of my life.
