The Loss of My Beloved

The Loss of My Beloved

I have lost my beloved. He passed away two days ago after a long, slow decline from multiple disease sources. We met when I was 20 and he was 30, we married a year later and have been together ever since. Like many couples, we have been through hell and happy times. He was the person I most trusted in the world. I knew he would be serious when I needed that and know he felt the same about me.

His love was bigger than both of us. His ability to love me and most everyone else, and especially his dogs, was a powerful and healing force. This morning I was thinking about how his human imperfections were less than his ability to love.

His daughter and I were talking this morning about him. Most people saw him as a cut-up, a joker, a man that wanted to bring smiles to your face and laughter to your day. But he was a loner, the most social loner either she and I have ever known. He worried about people, about work, about if I was happy, about his parents, about everything. His care for everyone was something he could not overcome, and so he worried. He wanted people to be okay, to be happy and safe. He was also intensely private and, as such, never discussed the health problems he was having. Most people would never have known until the last few years.

Ron and I met at a disco nightclub (it was the 70's) in Asheville, NC. A mutual friend of ours introduced us, and we basically fell head over heels in love. His first words to me, "I think I could fall in love with you." And we did. 

We moved to Florida, we moved to Illinois, we moved to Florida, and then finally to the mountains of east Tennessee. But he loved the beaches of Florida and the peace that only the ocean can bring. He will return there in the end. 

In the event you wish to make a donation, there are two local animal rescue organizations. In Mountain City, TN: http://www.rescuedogandendoflifesanctuary.org/donations.html and in Western North Carolina: Horse Helpers of the High Country: http://www.rescuedogandendoflifesanctuary.org/donations.html

Visitation and memorial service will be on Monday, November 7 at Mountain City Funeral Home, http://www.mountaincityfh.com/ , from 5 to 7 p.m.

 

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93 comments

Such sad news to hear of your loss in November. I am so very sorry.

Karen Scott Haggas

My dear friends bought me Prevailing Love for Christmas because the colors are so “me”. They subsequently found out you designed the set in honor of your husband and the love you had (have) for one another. I lost my husband, David, to ALS in April of this year. Laurie and Eveline’s gift of Prevailing Love was absolutely perfect but they didn’t even realize how perfect until they read your blog post. I am so sorry for your loss. I totally understand.

Binka

What a profound loss, Miss Babs! As someone who seeks love first among the four legged among us, I pray that you see Ron’s Love & generosity whenever you see a dog or horse you know he would love!

Kate

So sorry for your loss. He sounds like a great partner , he will always be in your heart .

Sue

Ron was a blessing for your life. Memories are priceless! xxx

Helena Wilson

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