Relationships: Dealing with Inevitable Changes

And so my pride remained and so his too. Until we wake up one morning and we were confronted with one situation that became the turning point and wake up call for us to realize things and make our marriage work for the better.

Jun was diagnosed with a heart disease, complaining of frequent heart pains, dizziness and headaches. It was not that worst but then I was so worried of his health condition that I personally took care of his appointments with the cardiologist, remind him of when to take his maintenance medicines, regularly text him to watch his diet during lunches with clients, monitor his blood pressure in the morning and evenings, and adjust our meals at home. After I accompanied him in one of his consultations with the cardio, Jun texted me saying thank you for all the things I?ve done for him lately related to his health. And I replied, ?by all means, syempre magkasama tayo in sickness and in health di ba?? Late in the night at home after that consultation, we talked heart-to-heart, face-to-face, frankly and directly unburdening our shoulders with the pains and heartaches that we both kept for months. Then we prayed together to praise and thank God for letting us stand the test in our relationship. Yes, that heart disease of Jun was a blessing in disguise. It?s God?s way of teaching us another lesson in life. (Looks like God is teaching us lessons by revving up the family member?s health particularly related to heart problems/anomalies. A trying time in our life, I say one of the most, was when Nico was born prematurely, one month early of his scheduled delivery and was diagnosed to have a heart anomaly known as Patent Ductus Arteriosis or PDA, in layman?s term it meant he has a hole in the heart. And I?m proud to say that we surpassed that most trying time in our lives, putting our faith to a great deal of test).

There were many times I said (and he confessed to me too that he likewise thought the same), ?My spouse has changed and isn?t the one I married?. But then again, Jun and I realized that change is inevitable in our relationship (just as the rising and the setting of the sun is). As a song goes ?nothing is constant in this world but change?. It?s when changes don?t go our way (which is often) that we get disturbed. We realized that the love that we have for each other will never remain as is, it must (and necessarily) change, for the better or for the worse. And what will cause our love to fail will be, in great measure, is our ability to deal with the inevitable changes that will surely come our way. If our love grows and is long lasting, it is because we were able to successfully negotiate and adjust to many changes over the years. As for Rotary, I know it will be an important part of my husband?s life. And I?d say, I would be more understanding and supportive for his future undertakings related to this. After all, Rotary has played a significant part of our lives. I will always keep in my heart that it is with Rotary that we were able to arrive at an excellent pediatric cardiologist for our son. I will also forever remember that great party organized by Rotary in celebration of our second wedding anniversary in 2002. Four Rotarians are also our son?s godparents and it is with Rotary that we met some of our closest friends that have been constant companions in the most important occasions of our lives.

Many years are ahead of us, more tests, trials and challenges will surely come in the way of our relationship and I hope that together, we can deal and successfully triumph with such inevitable changes.