The Little Gold Band
Holding the little gold band and sliding it onto my pinky, I am torn between smiling and crying. So small, and yet symbolizes something without measure. It is the wedding ring of my mother who was married to my dad for over thirty years. Theirs was a love story that spanned a lifetime. He preceded her in death twenty-one years ago today on Valentine’s Day of a heart attack. In October of last year, she joined him in heaven, also having had a heart attack.
The death of my father devastated my mom. He was everything to her. They met in their twenties at a dance. She recounted many times in detail to us the first time she laid eyes on him. They were at a dance. He came up from behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. She looked one way and didn’t see him. Playfully, he tapped her on the other shoulder. She turned around and stared into twinkling Irish blue eyes and a huge grin. It was magic. She was in love for the rest of her life.
All of my memories of them together are of them talking into the night, laughing, teasing each other, concerned over their five rambunctious kids, and planning for the future. I always felt safe and knew I was living in the radiance of their love for each other. I remember my dad bringing in a cup of coffee to my mom in the mornings on the weekends so she could relax just a little bit longer. He would take a walk out into the desert and find beautiful cactus flowers and bring them to her. When she was sick, he was worried out of his mind. Once at the hospital when she had difficulty coming out of amnesia, my dad was so worried they had to find a hospital bed for him. Theirs was a lifetime of love, respect, and laughter. They were inseparable until death wrenched them apart.
She missed him every day since he died and talked about him every chance she could get. Birthdays and their anniversary were very blue days for her, and we cried with her. Over the years, all of us daughters have bought my mom an African Violet in memory of my dad. He always bought her African Violets, which is an unusual choice, but they were an unusual couple. A true love story.
Now, my mom has joined my dad in heaven. They are now inseparable in a loving dance forever. It is always Valentine’s Day. Twirling her little gold band on my finger, I hold the shiny symbol of a love that stretches through eternity.
Sharon Robinson
With all of the chocolate, heart shaped candy, giant teddy bears and flowers Valentine’s Day is often times known as “Singles Awareness Day” or in other words the Holiday couples love and singles loath, which is understandable, because singles often times get left out of the Valentine’s Day festivities, well until now. Here is a list of things singles can do this Valentines Day, instead of just sitting home, eating Nutella, and watching the Notebook.
Valentine’s Day is a day that children especially love. Schools over the years have let children celebrate that day if it’s on a school day to give out valentines to their friends. Parents usually send cookies, cupcakes or other refreshments that help to make it special as well. I remember it being a fun day even when I was a kid.
When a young woman imagines the “perfect date,” it usually consists of a tall, dark, and handsome man picking her up on time, with flowers and typically going to dinner and a movie. The man should behave as a gentleman and walk the lady to her door at the end of the evening without expecting an invitation inside.