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Eight Years Ago My Life Changed Forever


This is a re-post of an article I wrote last year! (With a few changes)


An Amazing Love Story

The following true love story I am sharing with you is tender to my heart and one that I deeply cherish. I hope you will read as such.

Today marks the 8th year anniversary  since both my parents passed away.  My Dad had been fighting cancer for several months.  Early in the morning on September 29, 2003, he was not doing well, Mom called the ambulance and just after arriving at the hospital, he had a massive heart attack and passed away.  When the nurse told my Mother that her husband of 55 years had just died, she said in a peaceful and calm way, “I’m going to miss that man.”  A few minutes later, she also had a massive heart attack and passed away.  I was already on my way to the hospital, so when I got there the news that came was unimaginable.  Two of the most important people in my life were no longer there…they had always been there, but now they were gone.

My family has always been close.  We visited my parents several times a week and my children usually spent Friday’s at their home helping them with chores and earning money.  They would spend the night and then Saturday morning, Dad and Mom would take my kids yard sale-ing and they would spend all the money they had earned! It was a wonderful relationship.
Two weeks after my parent’s funeral, the home they lived in, the same one that I had spent my entire childhood and teen age years in had been sold to total strangers. Within the next two weeks, everything had been sorted, divided among my siblings and I.  The house was empty and no longer a place I could go for love and security.  Within a month’s time, I had so-to-speak become orphaned and homeless.
By now, you might be asking , ‘how can such a tragic event be an amazing love story’… I would like to share with you the rest of the story…

  • The day before passing away, my parents had celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.  I have the card my Dad had given to my Mom on that occasion… the message he had written in it was so full of a deep and abiding love.  They had spent 55 years in the thick and thin of living life together, raising 6 children, burying  1 son, and so many of the day to day things that we all experience…they determined to love and serve.
  • They were both buried on what would have been my Dad’s 79th birthday.  He came into the world alone, but he left  79 years later with the woman he loved.
  • Whenever my Mom would leave for her annual visit to her sister that lived in another state my Dad’s comment was always the same…”There’s no life without the Wife.”  On the other hand, I had heard my Mom say on several occasions, “If Harold dies before I do, I’m just going to slip my hand in his hip pocket and tag along.

In a way, it is very romantic.  Two people so much in love both dying of a broken heart within 10 minutes of each other.  They were amazing parents…not perfect, but ‘they did their best and loved much.’ We all shared in that love so it was tragic to lose them both at the same time.  But, also consider the peace we feel knowing they are together and happy!
Thank you for taking time to share with me this important anniversary day!




29 comments:

  1. Oh my, I cannot imagine. I lost my dad over 20 years ago, but having mom here helped me deal with it. You are a strong woman!

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  2. Once again Becky Jane what an incredible testimony of love ...I feel as though I personally knew your parents through your devotion and praise of their life and love. Sending my special friend hugs from Arkansas and saying a little prayer for you....Big Hugs!

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  3. What a loving tribute to such a loving couple. I adore the pictures. You can see the love shining in the one of both of them together.

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  4. Wow Becky - what a loss for you and your family. Your parents had incredible love for one another - and I agree that passing within 10 minutes of each other is romantic. I don't know if that's the exact word, but I hope you understand what I mean.

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  5. @Lisa, although having them go together was a blessing for them, I AM going to have a little talk with my Mom about her leaving us so soon the next time I see her...lol

    @Rhonda, thanks for the hugs...it is always a solemn and kind of sad day for me.

    @Mamaw, that photo was taken on their 50th wedding anniversary, they are an inspiration to me, Thanks!

    @Spilled Milkshake, romantic is a good word to describe their passing away together. When they died, I was surprised at how many older couples came to me saying they hoped for the same thing.

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  6. Becky Jane,
    That story just gave me the chills. That is not the first time I have heard a story like this.

    Thank you so much for sharing.

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  7. Becky Jane, I can't begin to imagine the loss you felt on that day. But at the same time there is a great source of comfort knowing they are together.
    Both my parents lived with chronic illness for many years, it was very hard on my mother when my dad passed, but when she finally joined her "best friend" it gave all of us a sense of peace. Memories are precious...
    Keeping you in my prayers today........

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  8. @Candida, I've heard of similar stories too, but not where they both died from heart failure so close in time.

    @Rachel, I understand how you feel,it is comforting to know they are together! Thanks.

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  9. Becky Jane, this is such a beautiful love story and leaves me in total awe. While I know how horrifying it must have been to lose and bury both parents at the same time, I also think that must have given you a sense of peace for them as well. It's not often these days you see people married and in love with each other for so many years. Divorce is too easy. But when two people are so in love with each other like your parents must have been, the death of one of them can leave the other feeling so lost and alone. But when they pass to God's Kingdom together, there is no lonely wait or lost identity. I mean, how cool would it be to be lifted up to meet God hand in hand with the love of your life. Maybe that's not exactly how it happens...or maybe it is. But in my mind, it's a beautiful and glorious way to enter into Heaven. Sad for those left behind, but beautiful for those who've been called home. Thanks for sharing this awesome love story.

    Blessings,
    Rosann

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  10. a beautiful post my bloggy friend. I send you big hugs!!!!!!!

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  11. All in all, a blessing in disguised, I supposed. Losing someone, let alone two people that you love, is never easy. I love how you told the story and how much your parents loved each other is so amazing. Some seek that alone all their lives and your parents had 55 wonderful years.
    Thanks for sharing such a significant event in your life :)
    Barbara

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  12. Such an amazing and beautiful Post! Thank you Becky! I've often heard of "stories' like this..where the two lovers pass away together, but they are always told via 4th or 5th person in the story line so I always thought "oh that's nice..but probably not true"..but now I KNOW from the 1st person who lived it that it CAN be true! I got teary eyed reading it. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that there is life after death. Although I still have both of my parents, their health is declining and I fear for the day when I will lose them, but I often wonder if they may be one of these stories. I know my mother could not live without my father. And I think my father would be lost without my mother. They were High school sweethearts and never dated anyone else.

    Although from those left behind, this would be one of the hardest events to deal with; but from the parents point of view--truly a beautiful love story that even in Death they could not be parted.

    Much love!
    www.jadelouisedesigns.com

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  13. Becky what a beautiful story, but it must have been just devasting for you as well. Very bittersweet. It must have been wonderful to be raised in such a strong, loving realtionship. Thank you for sharing their wonderful love affair.

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  14. What a sad but terrific story. I kind of hope that's the way it goes many years from now with my wife. Can't imagine not having her so "slipping my hand in her pocket" (if she goes first) sounds like a great way to go.

    Best wishes,

    Clayton
    http://www.claytonpaulthomas.com

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  15. That is amazing. Love this post. Love IS eternal.

    Ali from VB

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  16. Oh wow - a truly unimaginable day. I can not imagine how much you miss them. So thankful for the impact they had on a truly amazing daughter!

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  17. What a beautiful, romantic, and heart breaking story. It reminds me of that movie "The Notebook"- I wish more people had love like this. I am sorry that they are no longer here, but I am touched by their legacy.

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  18. Oh my heart hurts for you. What a tremendous loss but on the same note what a powerful love they must have had. Prayers for your comfort in the Lord and praise that you had such amazing parents <3

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  19. Becky- this is an amazing, touching story, and it made me cry. I had to step away. I'm sorry for your loss, but amazed at that kind of love.

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  20. Such a touching love story! I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  21. I have never heard such a love story that ended this way. I am sorry for your loss and know they were not perfect....no marriage is. I will remember this. Glad you shared it

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  22. This has to be one of the most amazing love stories ever told...and it has our Lord and Savior written all over it!! I know it's painful, but so thankful for the joy you've found in retelling it and sharing it with the rest of us. Thinking of you and holding you near to my heart, special friend!!!
    In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

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  23. Becky Jane,
    What a beautiful love story. Such a blessing that you grew up with that kind of love surrounding you. What joy it must bring to remember those stories and I hope it makes you feel good to share them too. I grew up with parents who were deeply in love until the day my mother left this life. Their love is with me always.
    Thank you so much for sharing their story.
    Love you!
    ~Erin

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  24. Hi Becky,

    Love that story! What love the two of them had for each other. I know how much you must miss them. By the way, did you happen to notice how many talks at conference were on prayers and getting answers? Kind of coincidental, if you know what I mean...and I know you do.

    Love your Friend,

    Tina

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  25. Hi Becky,

    Love that story! What love the two of them had for each other. I know how much you must miss them. By the way, did you happen to notice how many talks at conference were on prayers and getting answers? Kind of coincidental, if you know what I mean...and I know you do.

    Love your Friend,

    Tina

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  26. That is definitely a true love story. I can't imagine how devastating that was, but how comforting that they didn't have to go on without each other. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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  27. This was a amazing story. I thought our family had it rough when Grandma and Grandpa died 8 weeks to the day from each other. This is unbelievable.

    I completely understand the part about losing your childhood home. It's like another death in itself.

    So amazing that your parents could make their final journey together and someday I know you will see them again.

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  28. Dear Becky,
    It was a truly beautiful love story, and it didn't just bless the lives of your family. It blessed mine as well, and that of my family. I have many wonderful and loving memories of being in your parents home, and sitting at your dinner table and sharing the family meal. Your father interviewed me for my baptism at age 8 and I still remember that interview. It is a loving and touching memory. Love you and your family very much!

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  29. @Nancy, your comment brought back a flood of memories from growing up. You were always welcome in our home! Thank you!

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