Brad Paisley faced a challenging time when his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley lost her voice. This two-year period was filled with various experiences and lessons. During an Alzheimer's Association event in November 2022, her voice first failed, and Brad initially thought she was overdoing it. He gave her unhelpful advice like "Let me hear you project" and "Learn to power through it," realizing later how stupid and naive his actions were. Months later, she was diagnosed with a partially paralyzed vocal cord and underwent surgery.

Unique Christmas Gift and Its Significance

To help his wife, Brad gave her a bright pink megaphone. This simple yet unique gift became a necessity as Kimberly struggled to be heard at home and in public. She could use it to call their sons, Huck and Jasper. As Kimberly said, "It was one of the kindest things Brad did for me — it was really hilarious and so necessary." This gift showed Brad's thoughtfulness and ability to keep her laughing during a difficult time.

Her Struggle at an Afterparty

After her sons performed in a play, Kimberly wanted to celebrate with the other kids and parents. But due to her difficulty in making conversation, she volunteered to clean up instead. She swept the floors and got used to closing herself off. Sitting in her car and calling her sister, Ashley Williams, she sobbed, feeling embarrassed about not being able to participate. Her sister and family were her rocks during this time.

The Boys' Efforts to Help

It was tiring for Kimberly to talk on the phone, so her kids and Brad would do it for her. They were great cheerleaders, getting people for her at events when she couldn't. Their willingness to assist her showed their love and care. Brad also noticed that it was often difficult to tell how Kimberly was feeling as her voice was quiet. There were times when they questioned her sincerity, but she explained that she didn't have another sound.

Lessons Learned and Gratitude

Watching Kimberly struggle was heartbreaking for Brad. She is a person who loves to talk, but couldn't. However, seeing her fight to figure it out was inspiring. Kimberly is now grateful for the love surrounding her during this time. She said, "I am so grateful that I had Brad and the boys with me through this. They saw me at my most vulnerable and my weakest moments. They made me feel less alone."For more on Kimberly Williams-Paisley's PEOPLE cover story, pick up the new issue, on newsstands Friday.