Thursday, August 10, 2017

Life has lessons, pay attention, there will be a test!



Little known facts:
….      One survey of 50-year-old men in the U.S. found that only 12 percent  of them said that they were “very happy”.


….      There are three towns in the United States that have the name “Santa Claus“.
Not a post one wants to write…..
This morning I awoke before my lover. I couldn’t resist, I eased close to her. After a few minutes I could no longer resist, I reached for her and drew her as close as I could. She awoke, enough to know I wanted a kiss. I pulled her close and held her just enjoying the fact that after nearly 62 years (next month) I still had her. I am so lucky and blessed.
Oh, I make the mistake of taking life for granted too many times. I can still remember even into my 30’s I thought mama and daddy would always be around. WE are now pushing our 80’s and I know this love, physical-touching love, will not always be. I think of the readers of this blog who have already lost the love of their life.  I can read it in YOUR writings how you miss HIM. But me, WHY NOW? WHY this MORNING?
Because just in the past few days the wife of a good friend called to tell us her husband had just passed away, it happened while he was out shopping at Lowes. THEN it was like lightning struck. Reading an e-mail from Jim, up in Channahon, ILL, he wrote:  “I am sorry to be the bearer of sad news, but Jean passed away this morning!”  WHAT?  NO!

 WE met Jim and Jean in the USN. They were newlyweds, just couple years older than our sons. We have been corresponding friends with visits every few years. Just THIS April they were at our table in our new home in Florida. Sherry had fixed lasagna. Jean was her fun loving self. Such a sweet lovely lady AND AS ALWAYS it was a great time of swapping tales of plans, dreams, accomplishments, kids (they two girls, us two boys) and grand kids. Plans and dreams.


             This is Jim and Jean 12 years ago on our boat in Tavares, FL. They didn't look a lot different in April this year.


How could this be? This full-of-life, bicycle-riding lady, had fallen into a depression. Over a period of a couple months lost a lot of weight and her body functions just shut down. Jim’s words broke our hearts, “ I could see it in her eyes, she was in such pain, AND I COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT!”
SO YES, I have held my girl closer, I love her no more than yesterday, but for this instance I appreciate having her as my anchor, my hitching post, my life.

Yes, Life teaches us lessons, if we listen!
Nite Shipslog
 Okay, just remember this January you were upset at the heat!  

6 comments:

Glenda said...

Jack, I feel your pain, Life just flippin interferes sometimes. So sorry for your loss and I do "get it. Been thru Hell and am keeping on going :( Hugs from Chobee.

TARYTERRE said...

so sad to lose friends like that. like you my husband is pushing 80. i cling to him everyday wondering if it will be his last.

Mevely317 said...

I think we can all identify on some level. Nevertheless, I'm so very sorry your hearts are hurting.

betty said...

I am so sorry for Jean's loss. I do remember you writing about her and her hubby before. You wonder about the demons in her head that kept her from wanting to move forward and basically shut down her body. I know you and Sherry consider yourselves blessed for being able to be together for the years that you have been together. Life is so short no matter how many years we are allowed to live this side of eternity.

betty

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

We do not know just how long we have so we have appreciate what we have while we still have it. My DDH was 50 when he died, I lost a little grandson when he was only 2 and my oldest son passed away this year at the young age of 45. We need to hug those we love tightly when we can. Life can really teach some hard lessons and this is one I have learned more times that I'd like to count.

Lisa said...

Im so sorry you lost some friends. I got news this past week while I was at the beach that a lady I knew all my life and was also my neighbor, was killed in an accident leaving sunday service this last sunday. Its heart breaking. Life is short.

Hold her tight.
Lisa