I was working at Britthaven of Washington as a CNA and James was a FloorTech. We spoke in passing every day. It gradually lead to having conversations. Then, one day, it just happened. I asked him to move in with me cos I loved him soo much. James was a good man and the love of my life, besides the kids. He was my soul mate. WE had our ups and downs, but we made it thru. In 2001, James diagnosed with diabetes and High Blood Pressure. In August of 2003 I went to college to earn a degree. But in 2001, he was on insulin and a few other medications and the disease progressed slowly. He had to stop work in order to apply for and get disability. It took him two years but he got it. Once his disability kicked in, he was getting worse. He was insulin-dependent and was hard to get his sugar under control. He lost his big toe to gangrene; he became a tube feeder because his stomach couldnt digest the food and became paralyzed. He later on had a defibrillator put in cos heart was beating irregularly. Even with all this that was going on he had so many episodes of being in a diabetic coma. Through all this I was there for him; to help him remember to take his meds; to keep and take him to his doctor appointments; When i was in school the teachers knew my situation and i always kept my phone on vibrate in case I got a the call. Same thing with work, i get the call i was gone. Care Focus came out every day to help me with James. When i wasn't there, they were and when they weren't there I was. It was a constant battle for him. I was there for him always!!One of his favorite sayings to me was,"Why are you still here with me as sick as I am? You could be with any one you want but you are still here." I came back with, "I took my vows to heart. I said I will be here through sickness and in health. You cannot help that you are sick. And I love you and won't ever leave you." "If I have to not work and stay home to take care of you I will." He couldn't ever believe that someone could love him that much. The day before he died, he had such a great day. For once he didn't hurt; he laughed and joked and played around all day. He had hollered at Yanna one time that day and it hurt his feelings sooo bad that he cried. He apologized and gave her a big hug and kiss and went and fixed her some fried potatoes. Boy, did she love for her granddaddy to fix her some fried potatoes. A many a time Yanna asked him to fix her some fried potatoes and he didn't feel like hardly getting up to move around, but for Yanna he would do any thing. The day he died was such a hard day on everyone. It was unbelievable. Yanna took it the hardest. She cried for days. I moved into Washington February, 2010, and Yanna says, "Is Granddaddy gonna have a room, Nanny?" I said, "Yes Granddaddy will always have a room no matter where we go." So to my best friend, lover, and soul mate, James Acklin, I love you and you are still truly missed by me and Yanna and the rest of your crew. Love you forever and ever, Amen.