Years ago I was married to his son.
He, intrigued me. He was gruff. Uneducated by the school systems. But educated in life beyond what I will ever understand. He had the massive forearms of Popeye on steroids. And an Amish beard without the religious connections. His hair was a perfect mix of salt and pepper crowning his head in an old fashioned but never out of style crew cut. I loved to sit and listen to his stories. His gravelly voice. The smell of his cigar. When we stopped in around lunch time to visit we ate cold lunch meat sandwiches with colby cheese and cottage cheese on the side. I don’t know if I could ever eat that again and not be transported back years, and years. So very often we sat in the bench seats at the formica topped table, in the breakfast nook, making our meals, and talking. Often hearing the same stories on repeat loop. But only as a way to connect even better with him. He thought he wasn’t very smart, but his inquisitiveness and honest admissions when he didn’t know something taught me how to be smarter. If he was mad at me I knew it. If he was happy with me I knew that as well. His eyes, when they laughed, crinkled in the corners.
I adored him.
Then his son and I divorced.
And, I thought, he didn’t adore me so much.
We remained connected, around the edges of life. I would take my child there, to be with her grandparents. And I could always see what that love meant to him. He loved his grandchild. He loved her beyond measure. She put something in his heart that I had always known was there. But no one ever really talked about or acknowledged about him. To the world he was a strong, hard working man. He avoided the public. He didn’t need accolades. He seldom left home after he retired. He had a lifetime of doing what he was supposed to do, then he quietly only did what he wanted to do. He seemed content to be right where he was. He didn’t need to be seen.
But he was.
One day I went to pick up my child from her grandparents. Just he and I were in the living room. I was standing up to leave. And he started to cry. He told me he knew that his son and I were no longer married, but he always considered me family. I was stunned. He took my hand in a very unlike him, or me, gesture. Not knowing what to do I very awkwardly tried to hug him. He didn’t want hugged. And I didn’t know if I was supposed to or not. I backed up and he held on to my hand.
It wasn’t long after that that he unexpectedly died. I remember getting the call from his son. And I remember feeling like the world was a little less strong. A little less safer.
Years ago this happened.
It still effects me today.
I loved that man.
He was a good man.
And his life still ripples on.
Even if no one sees him.
A beautiful story of the heart. We need more of these.
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Thank you, I agree with you.
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I saw him through your words …even though no one sees him ❤️
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Thank you Jen ❤
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Welcome x
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A fitting tribute to a quiet man who changed the world. Such love expressed here. Thank You Colleen.
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Thank you for reading Paul. He was truly a wonderful character.
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I suspect we all have a person like this in our life, somewhere, someone. Beautifully told, Colleen. I can feel your emotion, and your respect for this man. 💕
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Thank you VBTR. I hope everyone does have someone like Delbert in their lives. He didn’t know how to be fake.
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This is such a wonderful and loving tribute to Delbert, Colleen. I’m sure he is looking down and smiling. 🙂
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Thank you Priceless! I hope so. 🙂
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It’s funny, the connections we make through other people.
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Isn’t it? I’d love to go back to a moment in that house, with his cigar, his wife, his “get me a cup of joe” bark (though it wasn’t really). Connected.
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A lovely post, Colleen. Xx
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Thank you M.L. 🙂
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You took me there, brought tears to my eyes!
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Thank you Lyn! That means a lot to me. ❤
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xxxx
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Reblogged this on thehappyhoopoe and commented:
Glad to come across this blog – lovely writing – emotion without the sludge
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Thank you Mijo1947 !!!!
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A beautiful homage to your ex-father in law. Truly family at heart. Lovely. ❤
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Thank you Paulette ❤
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Beautiful writing.
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Thank you RMW.
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Thank you Colleen for touching a precious place in my own heart.
The love is still there. We share it with fond memories of those who made us feel safe and strong in their presence.
💛
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It was still there, and you’re right, “is” still there. I’ll never forget that moment when he said that. It had to be so difficult for him to say. He had courage. Thank you Val.
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What a lovely tribute. Powerful stuff, Colleen, thank you.
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Thank you Jim. He was a powerful presence in my life.
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Sigh. Beautiful, Colleen, and so sad. I am so sorry for your loss. He certainly does live on vibrantly through your words.
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Thank you OB. I’m glad you felt his existence. I really appreciate that.
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I loved being around him. He was a special person indeed!!
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He sure was. Such a character!
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Sorry you lost him.
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Thank you Huck ❤
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He must grieved for you.
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I never thought of that. Thank you !
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