Love battles relentless disease

Sometimes you come across what really matters.
After putting the finishing touches on a political story, I visited a Sharon family and had the privilege to witness love at its finest.
Let it be known: Tim Gould loves his wife and Gail Burgess loves him back.
When Gail was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) 16 months ago, the young Oxford Court couple hadn't a clue what life had in store.
Today they know.
The degenerative neuromuscular disease has robbed Gail of the ability to walk. The mother of three has limited use of her hands and can no longer talk in full sentences.
Since ALS does not affect the mind, Gail knows it will eventually take her breath away.
Gail's care is a family affair. 
Determined to give their kids as normal a family life as possible, Tim and Gail established a schedule.
A day in the life of the Gould-Burgess family includes tending to Gail's needs through the night, rousing the kids early in the morning, getting breakfast started and welcoming Nanna Gould at 8 a.m.
Nanna gets her son off to his job in Vaughan, puts the kids on the bus, spends some time with her daughter-in-law, welcomes the home-care worker at 10 a.m. and then leaves for her Holland Landing home to get ready to come back the next day.
Tim and the kids — Ben, 11, Emma, 9, and Sam, 7, — arrive home and the home-care worker leaves at 5 p.m.
With Gail supervising from her wheelchair, the family prepares dinner. During the last meal of the day, the kids share the ups and downs of their day at Sharon Public School, while Tim throws in comments about his work day. Gail listens and, in her own special way, talks to her man and children. When the kids need to go wherever kids go, Gail's parents arrive from Newmarket. The Burgess grandparents are the designated chauffeurs.
Of course, joy and laughter mixed with frustration, worry, sadness and tears make up the day. Let's just hope, on occasion, the people who love Gail and Gail herself shakes a fist at the heavens.
While some people don't do a damn thing to help others, Gail and Tim find the time to invite everyone to Newmarket's Fairy Lake June 24 to take part in the second annual ALS walk. It begins at 10 a.m.
The couple also remains active with a bracelet linked to the Open People's Eyes to ALS campaign. Check out both at www.CureALS.ca
While ALS take its toll, it hasn't touched Gail's beauty. This woman's smile would make the angels weep. As well, this 42-year-old woman taps into her spirit to make it very clear she is not in this life alone.
"I want to express the gratitude to the many people in my life," Gail said. "They make this journey easier."
When I watched Tim brush aside a curl that had fallen on his wife's forehead, I felt in awe of this simple and beautiful expression of love.
The saddest thing is not that Gail has an unforgiving disease, but rather that most of us have never been loved this much.

Comments

[Martin]

I've never commented on any of your posts because I've never disagreed with anything you say in them. Today that is changing, not because I disagree but because it's about time I thanked you for sharing your insights and strength for the past few years.
Reading your posts leaves me feeling like an insider on the political and personal matters you discuss, and I am grateful for your courage and good humour.
So, thanks!