on 16 June 1991

My Bible: reasons to believe in the power of the Bible

‘On 16 June 1991 my husband had a stroke in our kitchen. It was a devastating time. My 17-year-old son was standing behind him. I can remember shouting, “He’s dying”. My husband said afterwards that was what made him not die. 

‘It was the beginning of a hard time. Stroke victims change. He was an empty shell. I went from being a wife and mother to a full-time carer. Four years later I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and had to go to London for surgery. They caught it early and 27 years later, I am still here, so I have a lot to be thankful for. 

‘After the surgery I looked after my husband for another ten and a half years before he died. I did feel resentful about the stroke, but you have to come to terms with these things. There were times when I was so fed up with the whole thing, but I always went to bed at night and was given the strength to face another day. 

‘The verse of that time was Psalm 46.1 which says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”. It’s true. I have felt God’s presence with me.

‘My husband had lovely brown eyes. When he died I donated his eyes so that somebody else could have them. I had a lovely letter saying that two young people had received his eyes. That was a huge comfort to me knowing that other people were looking out of those lovely brown eyes.’

Do you have a story to share? Email [email protected]