In this poignant and timely firsthand account of a caregiver and his wife, a shocking health crisis breathes life instead of dread into a tired marriage. The story of George and Carol Shannon will inspire as well as entertain with its romantic, heartbreaking, and often hilarious stories.
The Best Seven Years of My Life reminds us that it’s never too late to live a life of devotion, or to
discover the transformative power of unconditional love.
With retirement approaching and his marriage on cruise control, George Shannon left for a much-needed vacation with his wife Carol. Their lives changed forever on the final night in Cabo San Lucas, when George awoke to find that Carol had suffered a debilitating stroke. As they rushed back to their hometown of Pittsburgh, questions, doubts, and fear consumed George’s mind: Would Carol survive? What level of care would she need? Would George be up to the task of serving as her caregiver, a role he knew nothing about?
During the next seven years, George and Carol would face a series of medical and personal challenges that would relentlessly test their resolve. Every day George would help Carol meet her needs, and every night, he would go to bed wondering whether he had done enough. But he soon discovered that the caregiver role comes with unexpected rewards—gifts that would leave him a better, happier, and more fulfilled man. The Best Seven Years of My Life is the tale of an unlikely caregiver, a journey to rediscovering humility, and the story of a man blessed with the amazing chance to fall in love all over again.