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.
93 comments
I am so sad for your loss. My husband and I have been married since 1980, when we were 19. I can only imagine your grief. I pray that God will give you peace during the holidays and that you will find comfort in the words and actions of others. May you be surrounded with love.
So incredibly sorry to hear of your loss, I hope your time of grief is brief, may God surround you with peace and love through your time of grief. Love and prayers for you Babs.
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your loving spouse. May you and your family find peace. God bless you all.
I know this is a late entry but sometimes these come when needed most. My heartfelt warmth for the passing of your beloved mate — as you enter this Thanksgiving my you, his daughter and your loved 4 foot animal children find comfort in knowing he is resting.
So sorry for you loss. Grief has its own schedule. But I hope you and your family find peaceful days in the near future. The happy memories of your partner will give you comfort during that time.