Book excerpt: Goodnight, Bob is a blending of two stories; it spans 51 years and chronicles a love affair between a 15-year-old girl and a 21-year-old young man, who elope on a dare from a friend. The book describes the struggles and successes of a woman who became a wife and mother, while still a child herself. Bob was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2002. ALS is a debilitating, neurodegenerative illness that slowly leads to paralysis and death. Goodnight, Bob speaks of the inevitable difficulties and relentless stress we experienced as our relationship slowly evolved from that of husband and wife to that of patient and caregiver. Our story is written honestly and bluntly, with all struggles, mistakes, and pain revealed, along with the humorous, vulnerable, and loving times. Goodnight, Bob was written with the hope that those who are living with a debilitating illness will know they are not alone.