Sunday, November 02, 2008

Winds of Change

After my parents split up, it was eight years before my mom met anyone she was even remotely interested in. He happened to be our next door neighbor--a single gentleman with a warm heart. He noticed how cute my mom was one day when she was out in her front yard doing some gardening. The next thing I knew, my sister and I were helping her get ready for their first date!

It was such an exciting time. When John came to pick her up for their date, my sister and I let him in the front door and told him how spiffy he looked. "Well, I hate to brag!" was his affable response. It didn't take long for John to win my mom's heart along with the approval of Jilly and myself. We all just adored him.

My mom and John got married on the one year anniversary of their first date. And just like that, a wind of change blew through our home. It was a warm and balmy breeze. John loved us girls like we were his own daughters. I had never seen my mom so happy. After being a family that had been split apart by a divorce, our little trio had become a quartet, and life somehow felt complete and secure again.

Damn that awful cancer. We only had a year and a half with him, and just like that, a cold wind took him away. The quartet was again a trio. It felt like a slap across the face. We were still basking in the joy of mom and John's sweet love story and in the wonder of being a family of four. We couldn't remember what life was like before John, and now reality was forcing us to remember.

Life goes on and time heals. God sustains and comforts our hurting hearts. The trio survived. It has been five years since his passing. We miss him, but we are okay.

Last night, I had a dream about John.  It was so great to see him alive and well, I didn't want to wake up. He looked young and healthy. I've felt so sad today, missing him. I feel gipped that our time with him was so short. I'm sad that he and Hubs never got to know one another. I think they would have liked each other a lot. I can just hear John congratulating him on having the good sense to pick me!

John left an indelible mark on our lives. He spoiled us with his love, and we'll never be the same. I only wish our time with him wasn't so short. 

11 comments:

Nina said...

That was lovely and sad to read - I'm sorry he couldn't have been in your lives longer.

Mrs. G. said...

But it just shows you the kind of impact we can have on people in such a short amount of time. That's a powerful lesson.

Katie said...

I'm with Mrs. G.

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful love story.

Cherry said...

What a beautiful post. A great reminder that everyday is precious and to love fully.

J said...

Oh dear, all this time, I never knew that he was only there for a few years. How terribly sad. I'm glad you had him with you for the time you were given, though.

Tracy said...

J,

I should clarify that my stepdad, John, passed away from cancer five years ago. My Dad is the one who passed away this past summer, also from cancer. Just in case that got confusing.

Saucy said...

I'd read your posts about John of course and knew he was your stepfather but I assumed you'd had years together... oh yes, damn cancer. Blast it.

My Veto came into our world and turned it upside down seven years after my divorce. The kids fell madly in love as well. Your post today made me all warm and grateful inside, I won't take a moment for granted.

Sharon said...

He was blessing to all of us. I wish I could dream about my mom.

Liv said...

Just goes to show that everyone can have an impact, no matter how little time they have.

Thank you for sharing!!

Ginny said...

Wow, your story brought tears to my eyes. I'm sure it warms John's heart to know you girls loved him so much in such a short time. What a blessing you were in his life too, as he battled cancer and had his last couple of years on earth. It goes both ways. :)

Anonymous said...

That made the backs of my eyes burn. I've been so weepy today. I know it was all too brief, but how lucky you were to have had him in your life. and visa versa :) I'm glad he still visits in your dreams.