Chores change, but life continues on

In a few short days we will celebrate our wedding anniversary. A couple of weeks ago, when my husband had his heart attack, I wasn’t sure he would be here to celebrate with me. Thankfully, my fears were unfounded. Thanks to all the people involved, we have been given another chance and our anniversary will be a happy day.

It has been a busy week. He has begun rehab, there have been follow-up visits to the doctor and we attended a class on life after a heart attack. Next week will be more of the same, minus the class. Every bit of it is worth it.

In addition to getting him back to  normal, the lawn and gardens are demanding attention. I usually take care of the garden and flowerbeds while he takes care of the lawn. This works for both of us as I enjoy gardening but despise mowing. As long as the rain keeps the ground soggy we can put off mowing but at some point I will have to give in and mow it myself or find someone willing to do it for me. It is too soon for him to even attempt mowing.

I have begun the never-ending task of cleaning out the flowerbeds. I cut down the honeysuckle that is threatening to smother one of the lilacs. I cut it back every year. This time I applied brush killer to the open wounds in hopes that it will die.

The spring bulbs usually bloom in succession. First comes snowdrops, then early crocus, late crocus, little blue anonymous flowers, daffodils and tulips. This year the snowdrops bloomed late and hung around long enough to see the early tulips. If climate change isn’t real then Mother Nature is very confused this year.

The return of sunshine beckons me outside. Mother Nature has done her spring pruning with the aid of the March wind. She has left the trimmings all over the place. I have most of the stray branches gathered together. There are a couple of branches she had broken from the trees that still wave in the wind but refuse to fall. I pray that when they do eventually come down to earth that nobody is standing under them at the time.

 My hubby’s heart attack has given me added incentive to get back to walking on a daily basis. We can’t afford for both of us to be down at the same time. The rainy weather and a bit of inertia has made it a challenge to get back into the routine of exercise but at least the spirit is willing.

He has a more structured exercise program thanks to the wonderful people at rehab. Since it is indoors, he can’t use rain as an excuse like I do.

His heart attack turned our world upside-down. I was so scared that I was going to lose him that not even the perky spring flowers could take away the fear. Our routines have changed. A once empty calendar is now filled with appointments designed to prevent this from happening again or at least to delay it as long as possible.

We have an anniversary coming up. We have a new appreciation for each other. We are a team, he has his specialties and I have mine. The last few years have been a little rough and this is only one more bump in the road of life.

Life goes on and we will be fine.