March is a month of memory milestones for our family: March 8th is the memorial of Papa’s passing, March 15th (today) is my mother’s birthday, and March 17th is my parents’ anniversary. We were so blessed to celebrate Mama’s 80th before she passed…
@ Mama’s 80th celebration (with my sis, Shere)
(Hopefully there’s a big celebration going on in Heaven today with Papa involving lots of Heavenly chocolate.)
How we miss Mama – she left a huge legacy of love behind in our hearts and the lives of many she touched with her example of faithfulness. My parents were married 58 years, 28 of which Papa suffered from a debilitating disease that left him a bedfast quadriplegic. Mama looked after him tirelessly. Papa called her his ‘care lover.’ You wouldn’t believe how mushy they could get, whispering sweet everythings to each other & holding hands (even after 50+ years of marriage.)
So today in honor of Mama’s birthday, here’s a post written a few years ago about their love. Seems relevant on this Lenten Friday as something we can all aspire to.
LOVE IS A FUNNY THING…
Love is a funny thing.
We think we want it, but all the work that goes in it, not so much.
Because love is about commitment. Not just butterflies in our tummies and hormone rushes, but the decision to love day in and day out.
Washing up together, forever? Through tough stains, crusted plates, and cracks that come. Perhaps a few shattered glasses?
Love continues despite it all – mending, tending, fending for one another. At times sparkling, at other times barely holding on.
Love keeps working at it, despite the strains that inevitably come.
Love keeps trying: making an effort, taking initiative, offering sponges of forgiveness when needed (and necessary.)
Love is not always easy, not by a long shot.
Letting go of me to become we.
But love, funny thing that it is, makes the world of our hearts go around and around. And keeps it spinning through ups and downs.
Love can take us to the highest peaks of our miserly existence, filling us with a sparkling joy that inspires, ignites and empowers us to do and be more, more, more.
For others. For ourselves. For Love.
Love can also leave us desolate and despairing when our loved ones are gone.
But joy, the joy of loving and being loved, this joy is a spark that makes life worth living. A spark that keeps our hearts alive in the afterglow when distant memories fill the treasure chests of our lives.
Love is a funny thing. It is. Indeed.
Pass that next dish. I’ll get the soap, you do the rinse.
grace, peace & love (the kind that lasts)
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
Well said, GL. Upon reflection, there can be something special even in what seems to be the “routinely mundane” non-mountaintop experiences of life.
Amen, Mark. That’s where the faithfulness bits of love shine… the kind of love that powered Mama’s devotion wasn’t just a showy notion, but the love of Jesus in motion. Hugs!🤗 🌟🙏💜🙏🌟
This is a beautiful post and inspiring too. 58 years of marriage? Amazing!
The poem beautifully sums up this thing called love.
Love is verb…love is a decision… to continue to love even when all the butterflies are gone.
Thank you for sharing your parents love with us.
Thank you, Cyn. I agree love is a verb, commitment & decision. My mama loved Jesus – & she loved my Papa with incredible faithfulness, lavishing him with the love of Jesus in & through her in so many ways. Day in & day out! Blessings & hugs, Sunshine! 🌹☀️💜☀️🌹
What an amazing legacy your mom & dad left with you and your family, dear Virginia! True love that last forever ❤ Lovely poem! Big hug! :*
My parents were so mushy, the mush police (that would be me) often ran out of ticket paper! We are blessed with the legacy of their love that fills the treasure chests of of hearts – but we miss them. Hugs & love to you, Patty! 🌹🌟🤗🌟🌹
Aw, this is just beautiful! Especially love ‘the decision to love’ and ‘letting go of me to become we.’ Very true and so appropriate for the Lenten season!
Thanks, Debbie. I think love really is a decision (especially Lenten challanges like loving folks who get on my nerves, rattle me & make me want to rant a bit.) The ‘we’ thing was literal with my parents since Papa couldn’t move anything – even to wipe his nose. Blessings & hugs! 🌹🌟🤗🌟🌹
Your writing at the end was beautiful, very touching to my heart. Thank you
Thank you, Carol-Jo. Hugs!! 🌟💜🌟🤗💜🌟
Ginny,
Beautiful tribute to Mom on this special day and reflections re’ genuine love … thank you for lifting our spirits! ❤️
Cin
Thank you, Cin – how we miss Mama & Papa, but we’ll always have the legacy of their love that lifted us – & continues to inspire us! Hugs & hugs & hugs! ✨💜🌟🤗🌟💜✨
So beautiful–a picture of true Love.
Amen – true love, as in the committed agape love kind. Blessings! ✨🌟💜🌟✨
What a loving tribute to your mom Virginia.
Thanks, Arlene. My mama served as my papa’s hands & feet (& so much more) for so long – & she did it with love from a deep reservoir of faithfulness. Hugs! ✨🌟💜✨🌟
So loving…you are all truly blessed.
🌹🌟💜✨🌟💜🌟🌹
Much love
Much love back at ‘cha GH! 🐾🌟🤗🌟🐾
🤗🤗
what an amazing and lovely story.
Michele, we miss my parents so much, but are so grateful for the legacy of their love that retains huge real estate in our hearts. Hugs! 💕🌟🌹🌟💕
their story is pure and beautiful! I know they were wonderful. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth too! love Michele