When I wrote about Maggie and Jim 20 years ago, theirs was a happy tale about lovers reuniting.

They were high school sweethearts. Then, Jim joined the Navy and went to Vietnam. They broke up when he got home and married other people. In the same month, Maggie's husband left her, and Jim's wife and unborn son died in a car accident. They reunited a few years later, in July 1979, when Maggie went home for her 10th high school reunion. They were married that December.

This is what has happened in the past 20 years ...

"Life," says Maggie, "was pretty normal, most of the time, working, raising our two daughters. But when things got bad, they got really bad."

In 1994, Jim suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm and needed surgery. "There's nothing like having a neurosurgeon tell you to bring your kids to see their dad for the last time. But Jim surprised everyone and made it through. His sister said he had 99 lives."

While he was in the Navy, Jim had contracted Hepatitis C, "a wicked disease that does its damage over years without showing symptoms."

Still, he was a scuba diver and a mechanical engineer, a volunteer with the American Liver Association and veterans' groups, and a timer at his daughters' swim meets. But, slowly, his health deteriorated. And then, after 30 years at the same company, he was downsized.

"He never complained. Jim was sort of gruff and intimidating. The word grace is not one that would come to mind when thinking of him, but it's the only word I can use to describe how he dealt with this devastating illness.

"In spite of everything, life continued. One daughter married, and we took the whole family to Aruba for Christmas several years ago. The best thing ever!

"Three years ago, we moved from the home where our babies grew up into a lovely ranch. Jim had terrible arthritis in his knees, and the stairs were too difficult for him. His health continued to deteriorate, but he tried his best to live a normal life."

On Christmas 2008, Jim fell and broke his hip. That started a steep decline. He was on the list for a liver transplant, but by the time one was available, it was too late. He was already in the hospital, on life support.

"The thing that bothered us most was they had to shave his beard to tape his breathing tube. He'd had that beard since 1970. Our girls had never seen him without it! It sounds stupid, but if you don't focus on the little things, the big thing will just about kill you.

"Two hours after his mom and sisters got to the hospital, we decided he'd gone through enough. His 99th life was over. He was 58 years old.

"He was my hero and my best friend. I'm sad we won't grow old together. My parents were married 62 years, but we didn't quite make 30. I hope our girls get to experience the kind of love we had.

"As he got weaker, I got stronger. We made sure I could take care of myself. I'm back at work, but considering going back to school, just to prove I can.

"I think it's about time something really good happened to our family. We all play lotto, but so far, Jim has not exerted any influence in picking winning numbers!"

Is your partner your hero? Send your tale, along with your questions and problems to [email protected]. And be sure to visit my blog at www.talesfromthefront.com. To find out more about Cheryl Lavin, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.