Join me?

I’m gonna brag on my man right now… and at the same time ask ya’ll praying people to pray with me for the next few months, while curbing your desire to tease about retirement. Those of you who know us, know Guillermo has been talking retirement for a few years. Then came the addition/renovation.. and we found ourselves with a mortgage again after being mortgage free a few years.

Also, again.. those who know us, we both had to “start over” like young newlyweds, later in life due to failed previous marriages and some pretty big losses. It’s been almost 15 years now of A LOT of hard work, nose to the grindstone… saving, scrimping.. rebuilding.

Yah- so he’s not retired. But he’s beyond tired. Exhausted. And we’re facing some of the biggest challenges right now with him commuting 2.5 hrs a day (many of you say, so what? I do that!) in a 15 yr old van, to a very demanding new job in an unfamiliar workplace, while he’s 42 yrs older than when he first started his career in the steel industry.. when by right he SHOULD be retired.

On top of doing his best to be a great husband, church elder, treasurer and a whole lot more. It’s 11 pm, and he’s just finished his current work week, planning for when things get really crazy for the next 2 months of 60-70-80 hour work weeks plus commute.. and he’s still working at home planning next week.

He is work ethos embodied and every day I pray for his safety, wisdom and rest. Many say “first world problem” and yes I agree – he has work, we have income when many do not- I’m not complaining.

But I worry. About the 15 yr old Caravan with 310,000 km on it that he’s adding more than 750km a week on. About his exhaustion, mental health, our marriage.. cause we miss each other and tend to argue more when we’re finally together out of frustration. That we have ONE bedroom, he desperately needs his sleep and I can’t… so I end up keeping him awake..

Again.. all first world problems!! but it’s what is in my heart. On my mind. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about the beans, the cucumbers, zucchini and the long rain we finally had after a 3 week long heat wave and drought, and I may even cook & bake.. but today- it’s all about my love, care and concern about this man who provides for us. I know to my orange painted toes that I’m blessed.