Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Travels Down the Dusty Road of Life

Through life we sometimes travel not only a dusty road but one full of bumps and pot holes. Losing a loved one is about as rough as it can get.
On Oct 22nd I experienced the roughest ride of my life with the death of my wife, my lover, and my best friend.
Carole’s life 1942 - 2010
Carole had many health issues over the last ten years. Starting in 2000 when she had heart surgery, then losing eyesight a result of mini strokes and blocked arteries. But! If you met Carole and asked her how she was doing.
She always said, I’m fine.
I cried when my parents passed, I cried, when my brother passed. I cried for family and friends. They say crying is good. It is a healing process.
None of it prepared me for the tears I have lost losing my most precious possession. My, beautiful wife. Nothing has ever hurt this bad.
Life with my Carole spanned from, Aug 1959  to Oct 2010.
It is those years in between that are so important.
Memories are all that are left.
We were a team for 51 years. And I have lost the most valuable player.
Carole and I met when she was in high school and just 15. I fell in love with her immediately. We married when she was 17..... Aug 1959. We had our first beautiful daughter in Dec 1960. Bought a house and set up a home.
Over the next 10 years we had 2 more beautiful daughters and a two bedroom home; time to start looking for more space. We bought a new home in a survey and I wasn’t happy. I wanted country, she wanted city, and country won. She always did without for her family happiness.
It wasn’t long before she was the happiest person in the country. She had a wonderful neighbor and friend Betty Rock (nee Jolley). The kids were happy, I was happy, the world revolved around one big happy family. She cemented us together as a family. I do believe she invented crazy glue before they bottled it.
Kids grow, start their own families, and move on. We were blessed with 3 wonderful daughters, great son in laws and grandchildren to be proud of.
Grand children were now her number one priority. She loved them all.... equally. She was like a Momma bear in a honey hive when surrounded with her kids. The special family gatherings were important to her and that is how she left this world; Surrounded at bedside with all her family as she struggled to stay with us for just a few minutes longer.
I wish I could stop for a commercial break and turn back the hands of time. I wish, I could say....sorry, for not protecting her.  I wish I could wave a magic wand, I wish most of all that my prayers were answered.
For 51 years no matter what transpired, we always kissed each other goodnight.
Thank you Carole, for a life time of love.....I love you.
Please view the photos of Carole's life.
Is there any wonder why I was in love?
She was such a beautiful bride.
One last stroke of the pen and we are legally Husband & Wife.
At 17 years of age she was a mature woman.
 A Vacation to Virginia with her parents; Virginia is my mother's birthplace.
This was in Aug a year after we married and Carole was expecting.
Her father died in Nov, a month before the baby was born.
 My favorite sailor.
 
 She loved to travel.
 
 Soft sands and far away places. 
This picture is only 2 years ago.
Happiness was with her family and
nothing pleased her more than a family gathering.
Here we are all together on my 70th birthday.
Carole's last picture. 
Taken by our 11 year old Grand daughter Abby, on Canadian Thanksgiving Day, Oct 11, 2010. 
Hard to believe we lost her just 11 days later.
 She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and wife. And a fact that people never quite believed, she never colored her hair once in her lifetime and she had no gray.
Put your arms around her Lord
Treat her with special care
Make up for all she suffered
And all that seemed unfair.
With only memories for us to keep
These are the words she would reply
“This life for me has truly passed
I, love you all to the very last.
Weep not for me but courage take
And love each other for my sake.”

22 comments:

Ann said...

Doug, what a beautiful tribute to a lovely lady. She will always be with you!

Anonymous said...

OMG. That was wonderful Doug:-)) You have some pretty big grandsons there!
All the girls and ladies are georgious. Nice family picture with everyone in it. I/we need to do that before it's to late. Thanks for sharing Doug. It was Beutiful
carl/debbie

Anonymous said...

This is a great memorial, Doug.
It's been an honor to be a remote friend to you and Carole.

Clay
Crystal River, Fl

Gerene said...

Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt tribute to your beautiful wife Carole. How anyone could read this and look at wonderful photos without tears is beyond me. Cherish the memories of your love and exciting life together so they may help you through this most difficult time in your life.

Anonymous said...

Doug, Your portrayal of life with Carole shows she lived a life that her children and grandchildren can take note and follow. That is a legacy in itself!

Take care of yourself, my friend. Carole would want that.

Sharon
Crystal River, FL

Vee said...

Doug, thank you for sharing such happy memories during this sad time. I'm sure your entire family appreciates this moving tribute. - Vee

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tribute to your lovely wife. I am glad to have been able to meet her in real life. You have a beautiful family, as well! I mourn for your loss, but I also celebrate the good times you have had together.
Beth, Guelph Ont.

Laura said...

Beautiful tribute to Carole Doug, she was a very lucky lady to be loved so much by you, your family and friends.

This reminds me one of my favorite songs, "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds.

Take care of yourself,
Perry & Laura

MD in Texas said...

A beautiful tribute to a wonderful partner. Never knew her but wish I did. Thanks for sharing and sending prayers that the knowledge that you were blessed for so many years will bring you comfort.

Donna

jeanie said...

Thank you so much for sharing that Doogan. It makes my heart feel so good just to hear of your love. It was wonderful to see the Thanksgiving picture with the whole family. She looked fabulous!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your memories Doug.What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman.Carole will always be with you,,you just have to look at your beautiful daughters,,and she is there.your wonderfull grandchildren,,she is there.
For each flower you touch,,she will be there.For each breath that you take,,she will be there.Please,remember Doug,,that you will meet her again.We all have that promise that we will meet "in the morning".Jean

Life's a Beach! said...

Doug, I was so sorry to hear of Carole's death. What a wonderful tribute this post is to your love and life together. Take care. I'll be thinking of you!

Beck

Sue said...

Doug, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful life partner. Your love and admiration for her is inspiring, you both were blessed. My thoughts are with you.

Nancy said...

Dear Doug, so sorry to hear of your loss. It's always been obvious how very much you loved her. Take care of yourself; we will all be thinking of you.

Moongrl722 said...

Doogan, My heart is breaking for you. Your love story is beautiful and inspiring and I think that Carole was a lucky woman to have been loved so fully and fiercely by you. Carole was a gorgeous bride and I especially love the sassy sailor pic. I have the feeling that she is watching over you. - Jana

couzin frank said...

Doug...I was so sorry to hear the news.But at the same time I know from your sharing that you and Carole had a wonderful time together. I am especially glad that she got to go and see the things she did the last few years. Thinking of you and your family. Frank

Island Nana said...

Doogan, I am happy to have found your blog, but unhappy that it was due to such a tragic event. Your tribute to your life's companion was very moving - you were both lucky to have found each other.

Pauline said...

Such a moving tribute to Carole. I am proud to have known and shared some time with Carole. I will never forget her love for family and her caring for people in general. She certainly was a special person. She will be extremely missed by all who knew her.
Pauline

Jackie said...

Doug, I was so sorry to hear about Carole's passing although I have never really met you and Carole. This was a beautiful post. I know that it is not a replacement for Carole but you have 51 years of memories. You were blessed for 51 years. That is something that a whole lot of people can't say.

Chicagotom said...

Doug, I'm so sorry to learn of Carole's passing. What a wonderful tribute this posting is of your love and her life together with you. I know that her health was deteriorating for some time, but still that fact hasn't made it any easier to accept. Please keep in touch. I'm sure your memories together will always be with you. God bless you both.

Susan said...

Dear Doug,
I am so very sadden to hear of Carole's passing. I will cherish the my memories of our visits. It's a great loss, she leaves a huge void. Please take care. Will be in touch.
Love and Blessings,
Susan

Betty said...

Thank You Doug for such a beautiful tribute to my best friend. She was a very special person. To know her was to love her. I was blessed to have known both of you for so long. Wish I could have been the friend to you that you have been to me. God bless and keep you. I will always love you both.