All My Love And Devotion: A True StoryWritten by Ellen M. DuBois
They met at a dance in 1931, and six months later, on January 30, 1932, were married. I am speaking of my Nana and Pop, (grandparents), who for sixty years were not just married, but were in love. Really IN LOVE.I have chronicled their love through some very touching cards, (I found them in a box, tucked away with a lifetime of memories), that were shared between them before and after my father was born. Most are from my Grandfather to my Grandmother. He drove and worked and she was home so his ability to buy cards for her was greater. Five years into their marriage they had a son. Their love was as strong as ever...growing stronger with each passing day, month and year as you will see. I was witness to their special love for thirty years of my life, and for four more after passing of my "Pop" as I watched my Nana's heart slowly die of emptiness. She was literally, without her other half. If you believe in soul mates, they were soul mates in truest sense. I don't have every sentiment ever expressed between two of them, (those are theirs alone), but was lucky enough to find a box of perfectly kept cards, beginning in year 1932. 1932: A Valentine To My Wife "I chose this loving Valentine especially for you, Because it's meant for Someone Who means more than others do; and it simply says, "I Love You", but within that little phrase, is a message that will tell you That I'll care for you Always!" Signed: To loveliest girl in world- And loveliest Valentine Always- Love and Devotion, Hubby Atomic Equation XXXXXX XXXX = XXXXXXXX= million 1935: To My Darling Sweetheart On Your Christmas Birthday A Birthday Message To My Wife "There's so much that's dear about you, There's so much that's sweet and fine, And so many special reasons- That I'm proud and glad you're mine -- It's no wonder that I love you so- And specially want to say - That I'm wishing happiness for you- With all my heart today." Signed: To dearest wife in world. A few Birthdays have gone. I wish from my heart that we will spend a hundred more together. From Hubby 1947: With Love to My Wife on our Anniversary, You're Very Dear to Me "I never knew what love could mean- Till day that I met you- I never knew that life could hold-A happiness so true- And on this day that's ours alone- From all other days apart- I send my very deepest love- To you, my own Sweetheart" Signed: This message expresses Everything. With all my Love and Devotion, Al. 1948: Mother's Day, To greatest Mother in World To My Wife and Sweetheart For Mother's Day "Perhaps you think that I don't know countless things you do- To make our home happy home I proudly share with you. But, believe me, Dear, I love you- As a Sweetheart and a Wife, And on Mother's Day I'm wishing you- The deepest joys in life!" Signed: With all my Love and Devotion, For Loveliest Mother and Wife in World. - Hubby 1932 to 1954: (22 years married) An Anniversary Greeting for Dearest Wife in World "I cherish our Anniversary, Dear, Much more than you could guess...It stands for day that brought me YOU And all my happiness! I treasure every memory, Dear, Still more as time goes by, And look to happy future That we'll share, Dear, you and I!" Signed: I just think it's wonderful. They have been all so lovely. With all my Love and Devotion, To my Sweetheart and Wife. Al. 1954: For My Wonderful Wife On Mother's Day "Your love is a precious thing to me, A comfort in times of stress, The reason for all I ever do, My pride- and my happiness...And, Darling, on Mother's Day this year I feel as I always do: The sweetest gift that a man could know Is a wonderful Wife like you." Signed: The greatest of them all. With my Love and Devotion. A million kisses. Hubby 1954: To My Husband on our 22nd Anniversary To My Husband on Our Anniversary "This Anniversary, Darling, Is especially dear to me, It stands for precious memories- And for happy years to be...It proves that love like ours Just deepens year by year, It makes me realize even more How much I love you, Dear!" Signed: With all My Love and Kisses. I only hope we spend many more Happy Anniversary's together. Hon 1965: To My Loving Wife From Hubby, To Mom On Easter Sunday Easter Greetings to my Wife "You are Keeper of My Heart." "You are keeper of my heart-- If all my dreams came true You are one-- and you alone -- That I would bring them to; So may this Easter greeting, Dear, One thought alone impart -- You are, and you will always be- The keeper of my heart." Signed: With all my Love and Devotion, With all Easter Wishes, Hubby (Over) "Do you want a hammer and a peg? Or do you want an Easter Egg? Or do you want sky to be blue or gray? So you and me can be so gay. On this Easter Day, O' mom, even if sky is not blue, I will always, forever and ever, love you!" Sonny (my father)
| | Sunset in the Rear-view MirrorWritten by Sheryl Simons
Sunset in Rear-view Mirror Driving home from work late one night, I couldn't help but notice it was almost dusk. I was headed North, and driving right along with setting sun on my left. With a slight headache, my thoughts drifted through day at work that was over. I work at a domestic violence shelter, and it seems one can never know from one moment to next what to expect. As I drive home at end of day, it is not unusual for me to think of my life, and all changes that have come about. I once was victim of domestic violence, myself. I was never beaten. I was threatened, had things broken, yelled at, but these were not something I could easily identify as abuse. I'd always thought abuse was hitting; a physical pain. The sky was slowly darkening and feathery wisps of clouds turned to pretty pastels. I continued to keep one eye on clouds as I watched road and let my mind wander. I often had tried to reason with my husband. He need not yell. I could hear what he was trying to say. I just didn't always agree with him. Did we have to think same way about everything? Was that what it meant to be submissive, I often wondered. I usually acquiesced. He was head of household, I was wife. That was my role. He plowed ahead, I tried to follow. Often I felt put-down and betrayed; butt of his jokes. He actually seemed to enjoy putting me down, but my own husband wouldn't do that, would he? He loved me! I must be cause of our problems. Sometimes he used my ideas and passed them off as his. If it was my idea, how could it be right? Silly me, I was stupid one. It was just easier to agree and go along, than fight. I wanted peace at any cost. I didn't know it cost giving up myself. But no one else seemed to notice, no one but me. And life had been so promising. I'd been a good student. I hadn't made many of mistakes my classmates had made. I thought I was steady and a common sense thinker, but why couldn't I do anything right in my marriage? Our three children were not butt of his violent temper, I was. As long as it was directed at me, it didn't hurt them, did it? My car left freeway, and I was now headed in opposite direction of beautiful sunset that was transpiring. I hated to leave florescent sky behind, but my trip must continue. I was headed home. Home now, was not with man I married. After 16 years, I'd left him, unable through counseling to find any way to reconcile our miserable marriage. When we went to pastors and counselors, I again was 'bad guy'. By this time I was convinced that he didn't love me. I realized how evil he had really been. My family was devastated by divorce. No one in our family 'divorced'. It wasn't done. My family's shame was almost worse than bad marriage. But there were secrets that even they didn't know. I tried to explain, but I couldn't bring myself to relive details. If they wouldn't trust me, I was on my own. Couldn't anyone understand? I learned to live with that pain, as well. I had never felt so lonely.
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