Its great to see how you find the positives out the painful time you have had Elnut. Pain has always brought me closer to God. It must be nice to hear your wife say that you are a better man now and that you have a closer relationship with your little boy. That must make the pain and suffering bearable. There is an expression: "If God brings you to it then God will get you through it" Sounds like He has been with you throughout it all.
As for retirement, I want to have a litttle house by a lake or river and a boat to go and fish. That would be my little Heaven. I had better start saving now!