My partner, bless him, wrote a guest post last week that made me cry. Happy tears, but nonetheless, heartfelt.

He’s my love, to hug and to hold, from this day forward, until death do us part.

Yeah, I say, “to hug and to hold,” because to tell you the truth, when he feels so awful from the effects of his illness and the side-effects of the meds he is using, he says that he doesn’t feel all that huggable. He thinks that he is not inviting to touch because he says that he looks awful.

One of the things that I think is most important is to continue to show him how I love him, which includes frequent warm hugs, holding his hand, sitting next to him, feeling his warmth. I take time to hold him — hold him close — so he always knows that no matter what, I love him with every fibre of my being.

His illness has taken a new turn with a horrid sleep disorder and extreme anxiety. Drugs haven’t proven to be effective for these conditions. He can’t sleep but a couple hours at night, so during the day, he is anxious, grumpy, and irritable. I know that is the “disease talking,” so I take that in stride and hold him even closer.

He is my light, my best half, my best friend, my rock. Always, he is mine to have, to hold, and to hug as frequently as possible, from 19+ years ago when we first met to this day and for years to follow.

I love him a whole much.

How much is a whole much? As many grains of sand in the hourglass of time of our deep and everlasting relationship. Top it off with however many stars are in the heavens, which shine his light of love on me. I have faith that he will recover, and our relationship will endure this challenge.

Life is short: show those you love how you love them. Each and every day.