'I feel grief every day': Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming shares moving message on his first birthday since dementia diagnosis
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Emma Heming Willis, 44, shared with her followers on social media that she was feeling "sadness and grief" on her famous husband Bruce Willis' first birthday after dementia diagnosis. The star was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in February.
Bruce Willis, who became famous for the 'Die Hard' movies, turned 68 on March 19. Emma, who shares Willis' health updates on the social media, posted on Instagram how she is doing on this special occasion. The mother of two posted an emotional video of the actor's birthday with a long caption.
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What did Emma Heming Willis say?
The ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ star’s wife captioned the post by thanking the fans for their constant support, “Today is one of those days of feeling the grief and sadness. But the silver lining or the flip side is that I’m so lucky to feel your warmth and love that is directed to my husband and our family. I see your messages, your stories that you share, and all I can say is thank you.” Emma then added, “Your connection helps me and I hope it helps you in a small way to know that I see you and I deeply understand your journey as well💞” She ended her post with some hashtags including “#ftdawareness #griefshare” and “#dementiaawareness”
'I have started the morning by crying'
In the short heartwarming clip, Emma could be seen sharing, "Today is my husband's birthday. I have started the morning by crying as you can see by my swollen eyes and snotty nose," before adding, "I just think it's important that you see all sides of this."
She then continued, "I always get this message or people always tell me, 'Oh, you're so strong. I don't know how you do it.' I'm not given a choice," Emma, 44, explained. "I wish I was, but I'm also raising two kids in this."
"Sometimes in our lives, we have to put our big girl panties on and get to it. And that's what I'm doing," she continued. "But I do have times of sadness, every day, grief every day, and I'm really feeling it today on his birthday," said Emma.
The model who was a spokesmodel for La Senza for a long time then said, "I always get this message or people always tell me, 'Oh, you're so strong. I don't know how you do it.' I'm not given a choice.” Emma, who shares two daughters with Bruce Willis, Mabel Ray and Evelyn Penn, then said, "I wish I was, but I'm also raising two kids in this."
She later shared a montage of pictures of her husband about which she said, "I worked on this reel that I'm posting for my husband's birthday. I don't know why I do that to myself because the videos are like a knife in my heart.”
"But as much as I do it for myself I do it for you because I know how much you love my husband," shared the devoted wife before comforting herself "Don't cry, Emma." She concluded the video by thanking everyone, "But it means so much to me, so thank you."
Later she shared an adorable video clip where the family could be seen spending quality time with each other on multiple occasions. She captioned this post in a gushing note about her husband and wishing him, “He is pure love. He is so loved. And I’ll be loving him always. Happy Birthday my sweet 💌. My birthday wish for Bruce is that you continue to keep him in your prayers and highest vibrations because his sensitive Pisces soul will feel it 🙏🏽 Thank you so much for loving and caring for him too 💞”.
Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis
On February 17, Emma posted a long note on Instagram sharing updates about the Golden Globe winning actor’s health condition. Emma, along with the other “ladies” of Willis/Moore shared, “Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis. In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing”. Then they continued to explain “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Since then Emma has shared a slew of posts on Instagram to talk about Dementia awareness. She also posted another video where she asked the paparazzi to “keep their space.” In that post, she could be heard saying, “I know this is your job, but maybe just keep your space," she said in the video. "Please don't be yelling at my husband, asking how he's doing, whatever. The woo-hooing and the yippee-ki-yay's — just don't do it. Give him the space. Allow for our family or whoever's with him that day to be able to get him from Point A to Point B safely. That's my PSA.”
‘It’s human and it’s OK’
Instagrammers, both Emma’s fans and colleagues alike, sent her immense love and love support in this instance. Nicole Petrie wrote, “Give Bruce a couple extra hugs from me and my family today! Wish I could hug you today too! I’m sorry for the mix of emotions you’re feeling. Birthdays are so bittersweet. I know exactly what you mean about making the videos.. so hard to look back but necessary to remember all the good times and to continue to make more! Happy Birthday, Bruce! ❤️”. Tracy Pollan, on the other hand, gushed “This is beautiful Emma ❤️❤️❤️”. Carlos Souza wrote, “Thank you dearest Emma, HAPPY BDAY TO HIM , sending much love ❤️ and strength 💪 to YOU 😘🌹❤️”
A fan supported her by saying “Please don’t be afraid to cry - anywhere, everywhere, whenever, openly or privately. It’s not a shameful or embarrassing act. It’s love, it’s grief, it’s sadness, it’s joy - it’s human and it’s OK ❤️”. While another posted a wholesome comment saying, “Beautiful and honest post… I am a huge fan of him as a person, not just the beloved characters he played in cinema. Looking forward to seeing reel and happy birthday Bruce!”. While another fan hailed Emma for her perseverance, “While my journey is not yours, I relate to every emotion as a mom/caregiver of an adult child with a developmental disability. You are right we are not given a choice. But... your are teaching your beautiful girls a level of compassion, empathy, perseverance, grit, gratitude, and most of all love that is only taught by example. Life is caught not taught. You are seen and I know I'm not the only one who appreciates your realness”.
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