I miss my Valentine

[democrank]

Vietnam Veteran, killed by Agent Orange.

Frugal, simple, smart. He could build anything, fix anything. Resourceful, King of Making-Do. When I moved to his place he told me nobody would ever harm me again.

We passed an “I Love You” note back and forth every day for nearly 16 years. My turn to find it one day, his turn the next day. It would be in a boot, the refrigerator, under a plant, most anywhere. It disappeared after his brain Cancer got bad. I was heart-broken because he was so sad he couldn’t remember where he hid it. The day I took our bed down to make room for his hospital bed, I found it. Better than a winning multi-million dollar Megabucks ticket.

He called me”Sweetie” and made me the most beautiful pair of brass bookends in the form of stylized calla lillies. I patched his shirts and read to him and made him a mobile out of antique cast iron tool parts. He gave me his favorite hammer. I gave him my favorite little carved bird.

We had a little seasonal secondhand/antique shop. Both of us loved fixing things up. We had a dog named Sage and a cat named Lily with his middle name, Elliot…..Lily Elliot, a Maine Coon cat.

We always drove a used vehicle. Our last van had 263,000 miles on it when it died.

He bought me a lilac tree, I bought him an apple tree. We made an herb garden, built birdfeeders and a giant wind chime made out of copper pipes with an old bread board for the clapper.

I’d surprise him with a homemade pie and he’d surprise me with a picnic. We’d actually take a folding card table, linen tablecloth, lawn chairs, pull off on the side of the road somewhere and be fancy. People would stare, but lots of them would toot and wave as they drove by. Outside-the-box picnicing..

My kids and grandkids loved him so much. My son has the flag the VA gave me in his honor. One grandson has his “official” Ted Williams fishpole. My daughter has our “Always Buying” sign. Another grandson has his awl. And there’s more….

This might not be the right place for this type of thing, but I really, really miss my Valentine.

[Biophilic]

1. Seems like this is the perfect place.

Thank you for sharing.

[badhair77]

2. It's the perfect place for this type of thing.

I am so sorry for your loss, but we measure that grief by how much we loved and I can see your grief is considerable. Cherish each memory and that your kids and grandkids share those memories and keepsakes with you. I wish you peace. Hugs.

[MontanaMama]

3. This is exactly the place.

What a beautiful love story. I thank you for sharing your Valentine with us.

[malaise]

4. At least you had great times and still have great memories

[Big Blue Marble]

5. Thank you for sharing your precious memories.

They bring tears to my eyes as many of us our missing our Valentine today.

[onecaliberal]

6. So sweet, thank you for sharing. Sounds like you have so many sweet memories.

[AmBlue]

7. This is beautiful

....and exactly the right place for such a lovely tribute. I'm sure he's waiting on you just around the bend. The quiet, simple joy of beautiful memories is such a treasure.
Now, please excuse me while I go plant an extra kiss or two on my Valentine tonight. 💕

Sending you a big, warm hug...

[markie]

8. I was just thinking the same...

yours sounds as wonderful as mine... Vietnam Vet... we sent the same greeting cards back and forth to each other over the years... he adored me and I him... we are some of the lucky ones... I know, I miss mine as well

[3catwoman3]

9. What a lovely recounting...

…of your beloved.

[dchill]

10. If not here, where?

[Karadeniz]

11. That is just beautiful... thanks for posting!!

[GeoWilliam750]

12. He seems such a wonderful person to go through life with

[mountain grammy]

13. Beautiful memories

Thanks for sharing.

[pazzyanne]

14. A perfect love story for Valentines's Day!

What cherished memories you and your family have - Love in action

[Beacool]

15. Lovely ode to your Valentine.

I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a great man.

[debm55]

16. democrank, don't feel that this is not the right place. You can express your lose and feelings here

and no one will put you down. Your love for husband and he for your are evident in your post. Let you mutual love be a blessing for you and may your love be a blessing. In the Topics, there is a support group for Bereavemnt if you want to visit. I have no more hearts to give, but I will give you a hug.

[niyad]

17. This is the perfect place to share your Valentine with us. Thank you for including us

in your beautiful memories.

[MOMFUDSKI]

18. What a beautiful love story.

Many go thru life never loving or being loved. Revel in your memories. And thanks for sharing them.

[BadgerMom]

19. I'm so sad for your loss.

Having lost a 20-year-old son to Ewing’s sarcoma 9 months after diagnosis, I think I have standing to say that a cancer death leaves a larger bruise than some other causes of death. But thank you for sharing your beautiful love story. Why wouldn’t this be the place to share it? We’ll all handle it tenderly.

[Niagara]

20. So sorry for your loss.

This absolutely is the correct place to share with us.

[Sky Jewels]

21. What a beautifully written tribute to your valentine.

💕💕💕