ODON — “The best is yet ahead,” said Bruce Overton, 62-year-old husband, father and grandfather.

Overton, an Odon native, considers himself blessed. He has a beautiful wife of 42 years, family residing nearby, a small group that meets weekly, friends who visit frequently and a house that oozes with love making all who enter feel welcome and at home.

In July of 2008, Overton was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Overton went to a local physician wondering why he was unable to breathe lying down. He was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where after five days of intensive testing, he was diagnosed.

The doctor told them his time was limited.

“We decided no one really knows that except for the Lord,” Overton’s wife Bonita said looking at Bruce who nods in agreement.

After hearing the news, the couple drove straight home crying the whole way.

Though their lives have changed drastically since receiving the news that July day more than a year ago, their view of life and how it’s to be lived hasn’t.

“Our job right now is to glorify God through all of this. That’s just what we’ve got to do,” Bonita said with a distinct, unwavering confidence, as if not doing it would go against her entire being. “Plus, He’s the Comforter.”

Overton, with a natural charisma that draws people to him, has always had many friends. This disease has made him to appreciate the friendships even more and acknowledge the value of things money can’t buy.

ALS is a disease that causes degeneration of motor neurons in the body. Overton has bulbar onset ALS which affects the respiratory system before the legs and arms while the majority of people have limb onset ALS which affects the limbs first.

Because of the effects of the disease, Overton hasn’t been able to work. He was employed at SAIC where he got disability. Bonita, a kindergarten teacher at North Daviess Elementary School, was able to take a leave from her position.

“Both employers just bent over backwards to help us,” said Overton who then talked about his boss and previous boss visiting regularly keeping him aware of work happenings.

Their house, as Bonita said, has been “a revolving door.” Everyday they have company, and they love it.

Bonita is grateful for the opportunity to be at home with her husband.