@pml thank you for your kind response. I am grateful to have his hand to hold and his neck to kiss....and once in a rare moment - that smile and nod that was reserved just for me appears. I am honored to be the one to be here to help him during this difficult, ever-changing illness, and I am determined to finish this journey with him with as few regrets as possible and with a reserve of strength that can only come from our deeply shared faith in God.. Thank you for your encouragement, and I am so sorry your husband passed away and you had to go through this emotional, hard journey. However, I do remind myself that on this very large planet with billions of people, I am so grateful for the fact that my path in life crossed with his and we had/have the most amazing marriage and the best friendship. A marriage that is leaving me with the happiest memories that always remind me I have been blessed beyond measure to know and to love him.