Thanks to Ruth at Discover.Play.Build, Ruth Ayres Writes for this Saturday tradition of sharing our celebrations.
Tweet at #Celebratelu
It was a good week, starting with my older granddaughter Ingrid spending Saturday night and Sunday morning with me. There is something very sweet about the words, "Are you awake, Grandma." Really! I had more than one good meeting with colleagues, both individually and in groups, and more wonderful book group meetings with one group. We're nearly finished with Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, and it's been a joy. I'll share about that another time.
Today I want to celebrate my husband because yesterday would have been our forty-ninth wedding anniversary. Despite the good week, it's also been sad, and Arvie has been even more on my mind.
Today I want to celebrate my husband because yesterday would have been our forty-ninth wedding anniversary. Despite the good week, it's also been sad, and Arvie has been even more on my mind.
It's a cliche, but I will still say that there are so many good memories, it is hard to focus on just one. I started a list of 49 things, but it was too challenging, too hard to remember, and too hard to choose. Maybe someday? So I've settled on one thing, to celebrate Arvie, who was not only my dear husband, but a terrific, funny, loving, always-there-no-matter-what father. I found a photo of him with the kids, long years ago at a stream near our cabin. They are wading, it's probably cold, but they have their walking sticks! And they have their dad!
Mem'ries,
Like the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were.
from Marvin Hamlisch
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for reminding us to treasure every moment and to live in the now. We hope that celebrating brings you peace. We know words cannot heal but please know our thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteClare and Tammy
Thanks Claire and Tammy. It has certainly become important to me to treasure the little moments!
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts. I hope writing helps get some of those feeling and thoughts out! May you enjoy a peaceful weekend. I know grandkids always help :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Writing really does help. Looking forward to a mundane weekend, a good thing!
DeleteHold tight to those precious memories. I am feeling your sadness and your joy. What a mix of sleet and snow!
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret, I do hold to them, and wonderful to have them!
DeleteDid you read Melanie Meehan's post this week? She linked to a great TED talk. Arvie's stance made me think of that post. Such a cute photo to take you back in time. (Those white shorts are quite a hoot!) What a bittersweet week it's been for you. Have a better than mundane weekend, Linda.
ReplyDeleteYes, I read it, & still have the Ted talk bookmarked, must get to it! Thanks Elsie, & mundane is really okay, but perhaps slow & quiet are better words!
DeleteThe way we were - you will always have the gift of that, Linda. And thank you of sharing that photograph with us, there is something in Arvie's stance, and the way you can catch a glimpse of a warm, crinkly eyed smile, that reveal the kind of father he was, which you describe. You were lucky to have had a love like that...I know it makes the present that much harder to bear...but you were lucky in love, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know I was, Tara-makes the memories both good and harder, I guess. Thank you!
DeleteThis is a very bitter-sweet celebration. How lovely that you have memories and pictures. Reminds me not to take small moments for granted. Your marriage is certainly something to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi-it is good to celebrate, even this time!
DeleteWhat a treasure to have your memories and this photo. I love the hat and the bandaged knees on the little one, as well as the look passing from the older child to Arvie. We always miss those we love, even more so on the special days.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ramona-wise is that last statement! Nathan is the oldest and Sarah, who loved bandaids, is the younger one.
DeleteLinda. This post makes me cry and smile all at the same time. Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment in your family's life. Love to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie. It was good to write about, no matter what!
DeleteOne photo, one memory - a quiet moment, years of love. I am glad that you joined the celebration even though your heart cried.
ReplyDeleteI had to share, Terje, I can't 'not' talk about the way things are now & the way things were-all special in their own way! Thank you!
DeleteOh Linda, this is beautiful. Tuck Everlasting, that picture and the song. That is enough to set me off, teary eyed. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julieanne. It's rather serendipitous that I'm reading Tuck at this time, isn't it? I didn't notice the connection until this week.
DeleteI don't know why, but I've been thinking of you lots this week. Wondering how you manage to stay so positive. In awe of your busy and full life. You are an inspiration! Hold fast to all your memories, but keep moving on and living life to its fullest.
ReplyDeleteYou're giving me goosebumps, Mary Lee. It was busy, but the underneath was tough this week, & because of this special day. Most of the time I'm okay, really. It's been a long haul! Thank you! I certainly will keep moving!
DeleteThinking of you, Linda. I can't imagine how hard days like yesterday are. Memories are treasures to hold close, but still make it hard I'd imagine. Love the photo. It made me smile just to look at it.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun isn't it? I wish I could also remember just what was going on! It may have been a first time in the stream just to see how cold it was-mountain streams are cold! Thank you, Katherine!
DeleteThis is a beautiful post Linda. I love the idea of making a list of memories...I may need to revisit that idea soon. Sending prayers of peace your way today.
ReplyDeleteThanks much, there is more than one idea floating around in my head. I created a collage for Arvie for our 45th anniversary, so don't want to do that, but will find something that pleases I know!
DeleteI feel like I know Arvie a bit through your words--stories, poetry, photo captions. However, even more than having a sense of Arvie as a person, I am awed at the way your words invite us to know your love for him. It is as if you allow us to feel the weight of your love for him in our hands for a moment through your words. And it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteChristy, you are dear to say this. It is true in a way, I do like to share parts of my life with Arvie, to keep him with me as I can. Thank you!
DeleteSuch a treasure. The photo is perfect. Your words tell me how much you loved him.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jone, I'm happy that you enjoyed my sharing!
DeleteIndeed a beautiful post! I'm glad you can't choose just one good memory because it means there's been lots that, even if it can't be recalled now, doesn't mean they're forgotten!
ReplyDeleteThanks Earl. Yes, they will be remembered I know, bit by bit!
DeleteWhat a precious picture! I'm sure you have 49 x 49 good memories. No need to choose! Let them all wash over you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna, you are very right about the numbers, and I do remember all kinds of things, just sometimes not easy to put down on paper.
DeleteSuch a heartfelt post today Linda. Knowing that you have too many memories to share is a testament to your marriage and love for each others. May your weekend be filled with peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leigh Anne. It's been a nice day, cleaning and reading (and peaceful).
DeleteDear Linda,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. I have tears, tears of sadness because I'm sure you miss Arvie so much, and tears of happiness to know that you had this wonderful love in your life. I always love reading your posts about your children and grandchildren and know that they bring you comfort and joy in your life. The photo is beautiful...just the look in everyone's eyes makes me smile. I hope you have a wonderful week next week.
Thanks Julie. I've been messing with my computer, doing some new downloads, so have been off until recently (except for my sky pics from my phone). Yes, I had a wonderful life with Arvie, just over faster than I imagined!
DeleteI can't imagine 49 years! I'm thinking of you and sending hugs your way. Hoping your heart is filled with all the great memories you shared.
ReplyDeleteMost of my favorite growing up memories are with my grandma. How special you got to spend some time with your granddaughter and create new memories.
I love the picture. Thanks for sharing.
Jen
Thanks Jen. I love being a grandma, & like you, it's probably because I had such wonderful grandmothers too! It's a very special relationship!
DeleteThis is such a beautiful post. It is so hard when the moments that we cherished with loved ones come around and those loved ones are not there to celebrate with us. I love this picture. It captures such a great moment of being a great father. I am thinking of you today and the strength you have.
ReplyDeleteThank you Andrea-I was glad to find the picture. It did tell a lot I thought.
DeleteHi Linda, Thanks for sharing this sweet photo with us. There's something about Arvie here that reminds me of Chevy Chase, of all people! Maybe his hat and hair.
ReplyDeleteHave you looked at "This Day in History" sites, which remind you what the world was like when you married? For my in-laws' 45th anniversary last year, I made a little book of info about what the world was like when they married, at 10 years, 25, and 45. It was fun to see what the popular movies were, songs, etc.
I haven't see that site, Tabatha, but what fun to check especially on the other years. I remember well the times when we did get married-We saw My Fair Lady during our brief honeymoon! Thank you-funny about Chevy Chase-Both with great smiles!
DeleteTears as I read and then saw the photo...
ReplyDeleteThis line...so moving...they have their dad...