I just feel like I want to share this, so I will.
I recently started volunteering at a local food pantry where I met another volunteer named Eddie. He's 85, and doesn't do much of the physical work, but he does so much for the pantry. I am always greeted with hug, piece of hard candy, and a smile. He has one of those magical smiles, like a laser beam smile shooting out of his eyes into your own heart. He's just a warm character.
Yesterday he mentioned that he had stopped to visit his wife. I asked him where she is, thinking she's in a nursing home. He said she's in the cemetery and he visits her every week. In the 10 years since she died, he talks to her and writes to her all the time. He will get into bed at night and think of something he hasn't told her, so he will get out of bed and write something else.
He said all this with such joy. Then it struck me how utterly in love with her he is. They married over 60 years ago, and he is still in love with his bride as much as the day he said "I do," probably wearing his military uniform. May be this hit me because I've only been married for a year, and I hope to have a piece of the love between my husband and me 50 years from now that Eddie and his wife still share.
I know a lot of people on this board and elsewhere who have lost spouses recently, and I wish all of them could experience the peace and joy this man exudes. I've haven't lost a spouse, but we've all lost people (and pets). As the holidays approach, we often miss these dear people even more because there's so many memories around this time of year. Often it can be so difficult to go through happy situations and not be able to physically share them with these people we love so much.
For anyone who's missing someone, remember you are not alone.