World Gratitude Day – My Wife, My Life
by chanellacy5050 | Sep 21, 2026 |
When I first read this assignment, I knew exactly who I would choose to write about.
I am so grateful and so lucky to have been married to Carol for all these years. Last year we had our 50th wedding anniversary. I used to joke that I was married to the same woman for 50 years in a row on purpose. Our golden anniversary was on 6/14/2025. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to celebrate properly as she had been battling cancer for the last 3-1/2 years. She never complained once during her treatments. I promised her that I would always be there for her. Unfortunately, Carol passed away in September 2025. It is an understatement to say that my heart is irretrievably broken, and my life has not been the same since. I am struggling and trying to learn to become okay with not being okay.
Carol had a big heart. She was a caring and giving person, always putting herself last. Shortly before her death, she was in a rehab center. I would visit her every day. Many times, I would see the call light on outside her room. I would ask her how long it had been on? She would reply and I would ask her why she didn’t call again? Her response was always there were others who needed help more than her. Typical.
Another time I casually mentioned that I liked a cookbook that I saw at my daughter’s home. Despite her being at the very end of her life, two days later, Amazon delivers the book to my home. Always thinking of others.
The sun rose and set on her grandchildren, always sending them gifts and cards and letters. Sometimes I think she loved them more than me.
That’s Carol. There was not a day that passed that I did not tell her that I loved her. I would give anything in the world to spend one more day with her.
She taught me so much during our time together and she has left a hole in my heart that will never heal. But I am thankful for all the good times we had together and I have only one regret: I wish I had met her sooner.
RIP my love and wait for me to join you someday. Love, me.
Great tribute Chanel! I am so sorry for your loss
Thank you, mayihelpu.
Wow, beautiful Chanel. 50 years is amazing and what an accomplishment. Carol absolutely sounds like she was an amazing person. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Zeek for your comment. Indeed, she was one of a kind, and I was so lucky to have spent those 50 years with her. chanel.
Chanel, pet, this is a beautiful and deeply personal tribute to Carol. Fifty years of choosing the same woman, loving her openly every day, and remaining beside her through such a difficult illness is an extraordinary shared life. The cookbook story says so much about the woman she was. Even near the end of her own life, she was still listening to you, thinking of you, and finding ways to express her love. Grief of this depth does not follow a schedule, and you do not need to become okay before you are ready. I hope the life you built together, and the love she poured into you, your children, and your grandchildren, continues to hold you through the days when her absence feels especially heavy. Good boy for observing World Gratitude Day and trusting us with Carol’s memory.
Thank you, Mizz Geena for your poignant comments. There were a lot more good times than bad and remembering them helps get me through my bad days. chanel.