Sad but romantic

Some friends of a friend. Really, I don't know these people, passed away over the weekend. A husband and wife. The husband who was 91 was the caretaker of his wife, 83 who was sickly. He was in perfect health. He passed away last week. He just up and had a heart attack and passed away. Their 12 children live all over the US and were all coming to Miami for their father's services on Sunday and then to decide how to take care of mom. Well, Sunday morning their mom died. She didn't even make it to the services. How sad is that? Her kids are consoled with the idea that he took her with him, that she had only been holding on for him, that once she realized he was gone, she gave up. They say she kept mumbling 'what's the point, why' for the last 2 days. It's as if she died of a broken heart. She couldn't bear living without him. I thought that kind of love was only in the movies but maybe that's just art imitating life.
I have been thinking about this story for a couple of days now, since my friend told me the story. It's really touched me. It's like haunting me. I don't think I wonder if many people have that kind of love. Maybe I'm just being sappy and romantic. Is it weird to romanticize their deaths that way? I'm not sure that I have that kind of love. It's just had me thinking a lot, so I needed to write it out. I think its comforting to think they are together for eternity.

Mom

I left home when I was 18 and when I was 22 my mother passed away. Since we had lived apart, her in VA and me in FL for years, I was used to her not being right there all the time. But people always commented to me how I would call in an instant to tell her about something, and that was before cell phones. They would say "but that's long distance!" but it didn't matter to me or her. When I was short on cash, I'd even call collect, she never thought it was an emergency, she new it was just whatever.

It took me years to get over that. There were many times when I would pick up the phone to dial her number and then realize that she's not there. I still make the mental calls and talk to her on a regular basis. I act like she's still there and I wholeheartedly believe that she IS around. Naturally, I miss our conversations and sharing my children with her. She always looked forward to being a grandma. Many times I can play both sides of the conversation in my head. Maybe all this sounds nuts but it's working for me.

Today is the 20th Anniversary of her passing. Love ya mom! Wish you were here.

Valentine's Day!

It's Valentine's Day!

I already gave all of my men a card that they found next to their breakfast this morning. I have gifts for each of them that they will find on their pillows when they get home. And I'm fixing a special dinner -something that all 3 of them like (a rarity- in itself)- boliche, white rice, platanos maduros, tomato & cucumber salad and for dessert sugar cookies for 14 and chocolate covered strawberries for the rest of us.

I also sent a card to my nephews and to my niece. I will also call my dad around lunch time because he's probably sleeping now.

This morning here at the office I got on the elevator with a guy dressed in a big heart costume. You know stuffed looking like a read heart M&M, he had a bunch of balloons in his hand and was going to deliver a singing telegram to someone on the 4th floor. Too much fun!

So smile at someone, hug someone, let them know you care.
HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!!