Bruce Cooper

Grace Upon Grace

This is Peggy, Bruce the sheep’s wife. Married 52 years and counting. We raised five children while I served in Canada’s military for 35 years, which meant many times, Peg shouldered the responsibility of raising five children alone, while I was away. That’s not easy, not easy at all. And then there were those posting every four or five years, far away from her family and friends, but she never hesitated about leaving, not even once. This is the lady that decided she would change the radiator on our car, when it started leaking, while I was away, all by herself. Considering what she sometimes got back in return, I sometimes wonder how she put up with me. I couldn’t possibly have asked for a better woman to share her life with me.

I obviously love my wife with all of my heart. It’s hard to put into words what she means to me. Two imperfect people who through God’s grace, forgiveness and guidance, loved and love one another, in spite of our faults, and weathered the storms. And there have been a few. 

Peg has progressive dementia now and these last couple of years have been difficult at times. Some things we have lost, but on the other side of the coin, some things have been gained and the gains are of great value. The value and meaning of love is much clearer now and the joy of being together, more often felt. It’s those little things, so often ignored in the past, that now resonate with thankfulness and heart felt consideration. And through it all, I can’t help but feel that this gift of new sight and awareness is a gift of grace from God.

Today, at 77 years old, Peg had her left hip replaced. Her hip caused her considerable pain and discomfort and severely limited her mobility, especially during this last year or so. She had a spinal rather than a general anesthesia because the general anesthesia could hasten the dementia. And Peg said the operation went very well and that she feels great, very little discomfort at all. We’re hoping she will be released tomorrow and that I will be bringing her home.

I know a number of you have been keeping Peg and I in your prayers, and we want to sincerely thank you for doing that. God’s over arching grace, in spite of our short falls and sometimes short sightedness, is amazing to experience and see. Thank you so much for lifting us up, and thank you Lord for your enduring gracious love.

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!

75 comments

  1. I love this picture of your wife. She looks like someone I would love to have as a close friend.

    I have been praying for you and Peg, and I will continue to pray. My heart goes out to you both. I have several high risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s. One, the fact that both my mother and her sister have severe dementia, puts all of their daughters at high risk. Two, my blood type is AB negative, which studies have found has the highest rate of Alzheimer’s of all the blood types. Three, I have been knocked unconscious four times. Multiple head injuries increase the risk. And four, I lost my sense of smell about 8 or 9 years ago. So… as I will turn 70 later this year, I pray and ask God to please keep my mind intact. I pray that I never become a burden on anyone. But most of all, I pray in the name of Jesus that His will be done.

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    • Hi Linda Lee, I’m pretty sure you and Peg would get along just great. Peg is a force to be reckoned with, not I suspect, unlike yourself! Your comment about being a burden on anyone caught my eye. You would not be a burden to your husband, nor to any that loved you. That is not a burden, because you truly want to lighten their load. It’s not about us, it’s about them, and most times, you can’t do enough. And you do it without thinking about you. And that freedom to give of yourself is a gift. Blessings!

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    • Hi Craig, me too! My stomach was in knots this morning but God’s grace prevailed. Jesus and I had some serious one on one time, prior to, I can tell you. Blessings!

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    • Thank you so much, Kim. And you Kim, I know, know much about God’s grace. You can’t buy that or comprehend it from a book, you go through it and God’s grace, over time, becomes increasingly seen. And even that awareness is amazing. I still don’t know how to put that into words. But the worth of that knowing, is priceless. Thank you for sharing all that you have shared. Blessings!

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  4. Praying for Peg’s early hospital release and GOD will comfort her amidst effects of a hip replacement, Bruce. Praying also that GOD will strengthen you further and even through this you will edify us more on GOD’s grace. Blessings to you, Peg, and your family!

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    • Thank you for your prayers! It’s strange, this morning while in prayer, before the day began, I would not have been much use at edifying anyone about God’s grace, because I was definitely anxious about what might unfold in this day. I’ve come to terms with the effects of dementia and God’s grace will see me through, I know that deep inside. But the thought of possibly losing Peg today, (she had a heart attack 5 years ago), and her being awake for this procedure, and her being 77, had my stomach tied in knots. It vanished when we kissed and she was taken into the OR. Can’t explain it but the anxiousness was just gone. We’re human and God understands. Ultimately everything is in God’s hands. God’s blessings on you and yours!

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  9. Hello Peg 👋What a beautiful lady. You are blessed indeed Bruce to have such a wonderful wife and Peg is indeed blessed to have you. Such a lovely testimony and thank you for sharing this with us. I pray the God of all grace will grant you His peace and you will both encounter His presence in this time as He draws close to you both. Jesus we ask for acceleration of the healing process in Peg’s hip in your mighty name.

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    • Hi Nicola! Thank you for your kind words and especially for your prayers! I join with you in asking Jesus to heal her new hip quickly. I’m just looking forward to walking with her and holding her hand again! Blessings!

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  10. What a beautiful lady! I’m glad to hear that the operation has gone well and I’ll be praying for her recovery, that it will improve her mobility and give her more comfort. I know the anxiety you’re talking about, Bruce, concerning hospitals especially when it’s someone close to us who is the patient. It makes you feel physically sick, but we can’t help it as we’re only human and I think most people feel the same.
    Love to you both.

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    • Hi Lesley, thank you so much for your prayers! Yes, I wasn’t exactly a pillar of faith yesterday morning but God’s grace prevailed. I was so glad when it lifted! I am so looking forward to bringing her home! God’s grace, peace and love to you and yours also! One day at a time!

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      • I hear you, Lesley. God tells us to be anxious for nothing and to bring all our concerns to Him and I do that. There can be blips on the screen at times but He is more than able. The important part is laying things out before the Lord, He generally takes care of the rest. It is amazing what He can and will do! Blessings!

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    • Hi Peter! Thank you for your kind words and blessing. Quite a journey indeed. One day at a time. God’s grace is more than sufficient. God’s continued grace, peace and blessings on you and yours also, brother!

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  12. Praise God that Peggy’s surgery went well, we continue praying though for a speedy and faultless recovery towards mobility. May God continue to guide and bless the pair of you, and your family, in making more treasured memories, Amen 🙏

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    • Hi Alan! Praise God indeed! Thank you for your prayers and blessing. And you’re right about those treasured memories! Precious. God’s continued grace, peace and blessings on you and yours also, brother!

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    • Hi Tom, thank you so much! I often wonder that when we get home, will we see how our prayers for one another helped each of us on our way. I suspect that we will and I’m pretty sure we will be amazed. God’s continued grace, peace and love to you and yours as always, Tom. And thank you once again, brother.

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  14. Hi Bruce!
    Grateful the surgery is behind her. Praying for a quick and painless recovery. Also praying for the caregiver by her side.

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  15. Thank you for this update, Bruce, and for this beautiful account of the life you and Peg and have shared together throughout the decades. I have been praying since the first post you announced her dementia, and of course will continue to do so. I also pray for the Lord to keep you mentally, emotionally, and physically strong that you may care for Peg. God’s richest blessings upon the both of you in these challenging days!

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  16. Bruce, what a beautiful post, full of love and grace. I will continue to lift you both in prayer and pray for strength for both of you in the days of recovery to come. May the Lord bless and uphold both of you through this time. He is such a Good Shepherd and a Faithful Friend.
    Blessings to you both,
    Craig

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  18. Peggy is a beautiful lady! I’m so glad you posted a picture. God gave you a treasure when he brought the two of you together. I’m praying for you both. Blessings, Bruce and Peggy!

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  19. Bruce, this is beautiful! I love how you just shared your real life from the heart; and the changes in the marriage, yet the beauty that comes with it… the silver lining provided by God, with Jesus at the center! This comforts me. Our marriage has changed too, but in a more beautifully broken intimate way. Even though I’m facing losing Dave here on earth; the conversations we’ve had, continue to lead to the everlasting, eternal life we are promised together in Heaven forever! It’s not easy; in fact it’s very, very hard. But love is a choice, and it grows and matures as we honor the commitment we made when God bound us as one at the alter. We can both cherish these imperfect, but treasured times with our loved ones! Writing about our experiences, is healing; and it helps others. This story brought me joy today! May God bless you and Peg in Jesus’ name! May God heal her hip; and may He bless you both with lots of sweet little moments that add up to big love and overflowing joy! Thank you for sharing. Peg is beautiful; please give her a hug for me, and let her know Dave and I are praying for both of you! 🙏🏼💙

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      • Thank you so much Bruce! We are up late trying to get Dave’s pain to settle, and we just prayed for both of you; and we asked God to continue to bless your marriage, in Jesus’ name! I believe praying for others is healing to the mind, body, and spirit!
        Also I’ve found that our friends who say they don’t know what to say, always end up saying the perfect thing we near to great, right along with admitting there are no words… telling us we are in your prayers,daily, is the MOST beautiful thing you could say! This means the most to us: our prayer warriors in our corner with our Savior at the center! We’ll continue lifting up your family to God, in Jesus’ name…. sending love and prayers to you and Peg! 💙🙏🏼💕

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      • Beautiful timing, Angela and David. It’s been a rough day and you are oh so right. When one part of the body of Christ needs care, the whole body responds and our collective prayers are indeed heard. The vineyard keeper, the vine and the branches. I also pray that Dave’s pain would be brought under control and God’s grace covers you both. Home is just around the corner. Much love. – Bruce ❤️🙏

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  21. Bruce, that was absolutely beautiful! I am glad Peg did well with the surgery. I am praying for you both through the recovery process which will have its own challenges. If you not retired yet, this might be a good time to do it. Love to you both, Sue

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    • Hi Gary. Yes, it warms my heart too. While the hip replacement diminishes the pain and discomfort Peg had to deal with, the bigger concern is the progressing effects of dementia. We had a rough day today, due to safety and medication concerns and my dealing with her increasing illogical judgements, due to memory deficiencies. It’s hard to see and harder yet to react to, lovingly. My dependency on the Lord increases. Thank you so much for keeping Peg and me in your prayers, Gary. You and yours are in my prayers daily. Blessings.

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  23. My wife hesitated the first time, when I went to Europe. Her Dad told her that her place was with me. As a result, she never finished her college degree. She has 8-9 years of college without a degree, first in nursing and then in elementary education. But when I moved with my job, she moved too, a couple of times later so that the boys could finished that semester of school. And as for the general anesthesia, my wife has had two bad side effects each time: a permanent drop in kidney function and a “fuzzy brain” (the neurologist’s term). She was thought to have Alzheimer’s, but then they do not think so anymore. She still has most of her days with clear thinking. When she has a bad one though, I know how you feel. Yesterday, she could not remember that the Doobie Brothers sang Listen to the Music, but she remembered they were from San Antonio, TX. She used to hear three notes of a song and give artist, year it came out, and how high it got on the Pop chart. We used to laugh at such lapses, but not anymore. Thanks for this post. I have a photo and a name to focus my prayers better. Blessings to you and Peg.

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  25. Blessings to and prayers for Peggy and you, Bruce. May God richly reward you for your faithfulness to one another. Even during the storms of life, that do not always affect us equally. Sounds like you’ve had your share.

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    • Thank you, Steve. As you have had yours. One day at a time and God’s grace is bigger than any storm we may encounter. Learning that to our very core is the hard part. God understands. Blessings brother and you and yours are continually in my prayers.

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  27. Just checking in to see how things are going. I read some of your recent responses to others, so I have some idea now. I knew it would not be a walk in the park but I see now how the dementia can definitely make recovery more complicated. I am praying for you both. Sue

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    • Hi Sue, we’re doing OK. Ran into some residual effects of the meds she had been given at the hospital, the first night after Peg was back home, where her memory and behaviour were affected, but that has returned to normal now. That was a bit of a scare. Peg’s mobility has been greatly increased with very little discomfort and memory issues do not appear to have increased. Soreness but no real pain which is a welcome relief. Exercises are going well also. God is good! Thank you for your concern and continued prayers! Are you still improving? – Bruce

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