I don't have to look very far to find a solid, wonderful example of true love. And, with his recent passing - that example didn't disappear. In my earlier post of his Eulogy - I touched on my grandfathers amazing, lasting love for my grandmother. A love that was as real and intense when he died - as it was when she died - over forty years earlier.
About ten years ago, my grandfather took me on quite an adventure. It is a memory that is priceless. We decided to take a "hike" to the location where my grandmother, as a young teenage girl, lived when they "courted." Remember, this is my grandfather who was near 80 at the time and myself in the middle of nowheresville. With my nursing background, all I could think of was broken hip. I pulled my car over once we spotted the spring of water that was their fresh water supply. 'The little spring from so long ago' as he would often recall. Once we found that and recovered from his flood of emotion - we treked on in the direction he thought he recalled. He was right. After walking through brush and briar and rocks - uphill all the way, we found it. The foundation of her home. That's all that was left. As he tearfully retraced his steps - steps that he had taken many, many times over his young teenage years - he wove his way through what he recalled the rooms as being. We sat. We cried. We laughed. We sat in this forest of trees and he gave me a wonderful glimpse into the past. A past of intense love - a present that still held that precious love. I saw this 80-year-old man as a shy, excited, in-love boy. I saw this woman whom I never had the chance to meet as a beautiful, loving and somewhat stubborn young girl. A girl that would always hold his heart. Who would have ever known - that as he would walk down the trail to that little spring we had just drank from - that all of these years, children, and grandchildren later - it would be he and I there at that moment. We realized the wonder of it. We both KNEW it was a special moment that neither of us would forget.
I took a lot away from that day that I will always carry with me. I literally SAW the foundation of that home. I carried a brick away from it that day and still have it as a reminder. Alot has changed for me in the recent years. My Valentine's Day today is quite a bit different than the one that Scott and I shared four years ago. I cannot deny that the accident has not changed our relationship. Back then, we were excited and giddy - even after 10 years of marriage. Today, we struggle some days much more than others. Today our Valentine's Day is much more about commitment and love through the rough days. I am living "the in sickness and in health" as I know that Scott would if the roles were reversed. Some days, not so fun - other days, on his better days, I can see a glimpse of a smile that is happy. This is not do be disheartening, but, rather to let my children know that - yes, bad things can happen and it could have actually been worse. But, no matter, your mommie and daddy love each other very much. Our foundation was very strong thankfully and I will always have hope that your Daddy will feel better. We are committed. Some days, I look at him and still see that grinning, excited young boy stroll into Dixie Bell on August 15, 1989. A long time ago - I can't believe it. Even despite our hardest days related to the accident, he has been on of the biggest blessings of my life - even with the bad that have come along. I write that knowing that I will learn alot from this situation that we are in the middle of. As with our journey to have to two of you - I have definitely learned that God's plans are without question the best. And, just know that your Daddy will always be My Valentine!! Happy Valentine's Day - Honey!
Today, my grandfather and grandmother are together for Valentine's Day - the first in a long, long time. For that, I am happy. And, I am thankful for that day with him, when he shared a glimpse into a distant past - a past that touches today. A foundation that is so strong and will stand the test of time, strong winds, rains........and the sunny days that I hold on to seeing again.
