Stories of Love

 

This is how we started, young and determined.

I've been thinking about "tapestries of life" this morning, it sounds much more articulate than scrap-booking. A weaver begins with a vision, a pattern, and thread by thread interlaces the colors to create the design, but a writer relies on words, words spoken from the heart.

1Corinthians 13:8.  LOVE never ends. LOVE is like the wind, it never subsides.  Without this LOVE that is patient and kind, like a mother’s love for her child, we have nothing.

When I searched my blog for the word of the month, Love, I found over a dozen previous stories that expressed love in words and pictures. Looking back I smiled, realizing that my life was filled with a tapestry of rich and royal hues (thank you Carole King).

Remember these from a grade school autograph book:

* Roses are red, Violets are blue, Pansies are lovely, just like you.

*Roses are red, Violets are blue, You have a nose like a B-52.

*You are 2 sweet
                2 be
                4 gotten

It has been seven years since I reflected on those grade school years and childhood love...Wardogs Pieces of Memories

It seems impossible to think of grade school days without seeing my mother in my life. She was there for every moment and now I cherish those simple days and acts of love I never recognized. As a PTA President off and on for decades my mother involved herself in every party, and Valentine's was a favorite. 

Somewhere in her 40's and 50's she found time to reflect and take college classes. She loved learning. How ironic that as I searched for words and thoughts about weaving and tapestry I found a poem by Corrie ten Boom, an author and woman my mother respected for her acts of love in saving Jewish people from the Nazi's in World War II.

"Life is but a Weaving"  

My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me.

I cannot choose the colors

He weaveth steadily. 

   by Corrie ten Boom         

I've been so fortunate to have family, friends, students, author's words, musicians, and acquaintances pass through my life.

 

"Love and time are the only two things in this world that cannot be bought, only spent."  --Gary Jennings

 

On. that fall morning in the parking lot outside the hospital, Sue reached in her trunk to pull out a basket of scrape booking materials. "Would you like some help with the basket?" I asked.  

"No, I'm fine today. Thank you." With a heavy breathe she continued, "I may not feel this good after the treatment today. The days get really long for me."  

My heart took a double beat with her heavy sigh. Here she was smiling and looking at the sunlight. With a joyous expression on her face and a glisten in her eyes, she looked around at the hospital complex, of concrete, bricks, and asphalt, and then the sky. "I love living. I love life Letty. I don't want to die."

I Love Living Sue's story will linger in my heart forever.

 

I can't resist a great love story. Dave Isay collected stories from Story Corp and published "All There Is." I cried and laughed as I read this book. Here is why...

The stories of love cover the ages, cultures, and circumstances of love. You can read about Hunny Reiken, 80, who talks with her husband Elliot Reiken, 86. Hunny speaks:  "I have a twin sister, Bunny.  And you have a twin brother, Danny.  When we met we were sixteen and a half, and we were waitresses in a hotel.  You and Danny were musicians in a band." The story of the two sets of twins marrying the same day brings a smile to the readers face but it is Hunny's reflection I like best, "When two people get married, they say two people become one.  No, I don't agree.  Two people should remain two people and walk side by side.  I've not become Elliot.  Elliot has not become Hunny.  We remain Hunny and Elliot.  And to me, that's important." Elliot responds, "You made my life complete.  And I hope we'll go on for another fifty years."  Hunny, "I'll take five good ones.  Five good ones, and I'll say, 'Thank you, God!'"

Love Stories and Story Corp

Jack and I began our marriage with three preteens, a lot of love in our hearts, and a small house . Michael, Katy, and Matthew are grown, gone from home, healthy, and busy with their lives. Love, devotion, support of each other, consistency, and adventures together as a family kept our love alive and provided a home for our children. 

We are now two, and a dog, always a dog. Before Murphy Doodle, there was Lucy, and before Lucy there was Woofer. We loved them and they loved us. However, Lucy is the only one who has sent me a Valentine card. Puppy Dog LOVE

Happy Valentine's to all and may love lift your spirits today.

Chilling Words

 

January 5, 2022

Even though the sun was shining that morning the bitter North wind slapped me with a cold chill.  I knew what I would say or do when the orthopedic doctor said, “Yes, we need to replace that left knee.”

“I’m ready. Let’s get it on the appointment books now.” I imagined saying.

My last cortisone shot had not lasted three months before the pain and swelling returned. My plan was to get ahead of the spring and be well by May, so I could enjoy a carefree summer and a trusty left leg that would support my golf swing.

The doctor studied the x-rays, talked at length about my prior injuries and then said, “I think you might have better luck if we treated your knee for arthritis by prescribing Celebrex.”

I sat in silence.

The doctor leaned back in his chair and waited. His head cocked he smiled, “Did you want the surgery?”

“No, No,” I nearly screamed. It came out so suddenly. “No, I simply had a plan to get ahead while I could, so I would be healthy come spring.”

My mask could not contain my smile. “So, I don’t need surgery?”

“If you are ok with treating the arthritis, then let’s use meds and save the surgery for the day you really must have it.”

Skipping out of the clinic, swinging my mask in the air like a winning rodeo rider, I didn’t notice the cold wind as I stepped in my car. Inside, bun warmers on, life was good.

The blaring phone shook the car.

“Letty, this is Joan from Dr. Shaw’s office. Your test result for Covid 19 is positive. He has prescribed meds that will be available for you this afternoon, and you will be eligible for the infusion if your symptoms worsen.”

So much for planning.

It was so innocent, our four-year old grandson sneezed while we played with the blocks. No vaccine can stand up to the snotty nose love of a grandchild.

Thank heavens for vaccines and booster shots. I cannot imagine how sick I may have become had I not taken these precautions.

With Jack's asthma and my lungs that are susceptible to pneumonia, I had secretly worried about how badly we might be affected by Covid 19 and its variants.  I was right to worry. 

Neither of us struggled much in the first few days. By the weekend I could tell I was wearing down. On Monday the hospital called to say that the infusion was available for me. 

I began coughing as I talked. He said, "We have an opening Tuesday at 10:00. You sound like you highly qualify and you are over 65. I recommend you come in." I agreed with no argument.  

I slept through the infusion. Jack picked me up and took me home. We treated ourselves to fresh cookies from Dara Maria's and hot tea. I slept through the afternoon and into the evening.  Wednesday I repeated the sleeping pattern. By Thursday I began to feel better. 

With both of us fighting the virus, it was the napping and lethargic nature of the beast that was difficult to live with. We also craved flavor. Our taste buds felt like they had been scratched off our tongues. We could smell, barely. We could taste, barely.

Nearly a month later, we are both doing very well. Best of all the meds I took to fight the virus also fought my inflammation from arthritis. Glory Bee! My left knee and knuckles are not swollen. As my mother would have said, "There is a silver lining to every cloud."