My mother had a boyfriend named Ray for over 20 years. They were together every day until they both went into nursing homes. The only reason they never got married was because if they did, his bills and her bills would have become THEIR bills...and someone would lose their social security check! But Ray was more of a Dad to me than my own father ever dreamed of being, and my kids grew up calling him Papaw.
Yesterday my 21 year old daughter Melissa, who is autistic, had to have anesthesia to have dental work done, including removing a wisdom tooth. While sitting with her in pre-op, I remembered when I had my own wisdom teeth taken out. Ray took me so I'd have someone to drive me home after anesthesia. Afterwards he took me to the pharmacy and bought my meds for me. It was a beautiful memory to have at such a stressful time!
Donna