More from Dawn, Dave's wife. (edited)
I am so deeply touched by the outpouring of kindness from everyone. It all seems so surreal. We were every bit as happy and in love as you see in the pictures. I feel so cheated out of the many years we should have had but I thank God everyday for what I had because not many people in this world get to experience that kind of love in their lifetime so I feel very blessed that I had that with Dave. I became disabled in 2007 after suffering severe back & neck injuries while at work. Dave stood by my side and has been caring for me 24/7 for the past 6 and a half years. He not only took care of our home, all the chores, shopping, laundry, took me to every doctor appointment, etc but did everything for me without hesitation or complaint. He was the kind of man who did everything with his whole heart and soul and would give you the shirt off his back and his last penny. I could go on and on about what an amazing person he was but you obviously already know that. ... it almost feels impossible for me to go on but I draw strength from Dave everyday because I know that's what he would want. Every day without him is harder than the next but I'm taking it one hour at a time and doing my best to make him proud.
My reply back:
"He was that guy in the movies. A real man. The kind who doesn't blink in the face of adversity. That's how he came across with just a limited exposure which means that was him 100%. You are blessed. People spend lifetimes looking for what you two had and they still won't find it. God Bless you."
so...
Here is my challenge to all the men here on mossbergowners.com.
Are you "Dave" to your wife?
Not Superman.
Not batman.
Better.
Those guys are fake.
Actors dressing up in clothes someone told them to wear speaking words someone else wrote.
Dave was the real deal. I am totally broken up about this guy. I'm falling apart right now because I have NOT been Dave to my wife. I just got an email earlier this afternoon. She wants a divorce.
What are you doing to be more like Dave and less like me? Don't use your own dictionary when trying to define what "Dave" means. What does your wife need? What has she already been telling you that she needs? Is it emotional? Is it physical? Is it financial? Do you look at things and do them before she asks you too, or does it sit for a while?
That's how you define "Dave".
Be the man your wife always hoped she could be married to. Not the guy she's married to now.
If you died today and your wife found you on the floor as Dawn told me, what would her life be like without you?
Would she be inspired to carry on?
" ...it almost feels impossible for me to go on but I draw strength from Dave everyday because I know that's what he would want. "
Be a Dave.
"Every day without him is harder than the next but I'm taking it one hour at a time and doing my best to make him proud. "
Be a Dave.
This is a man's man. He knows what has to be done, and he does it.
No sniveling.
No grumbling.
He is the stuff of legend. I don't know anyone who treated his wife this well.
Be a Dave.