by Ramona Egan

Created on: February 16, 2011

 Love and Marriage      

 This story is about love: it is a portrait of a man's life.  How does one begin to tell about a man's life? The richness of it; the strength of it; the joys and the sadness; the challenges faced; the battles won and those that were lost?

He was a simple man, yet in some ways so complex - as all we humans are.  In a word, he was a gentleman: a kind and compassionate, gentle soul.  He was also funny; always "mugging" before the camera when he knew his picture was to be taken, but with a ready smile and a good sense of humor.

He was tall and slender of build, yet his arms were strong and muscular from a lifetime of hard work.  His face was gentle, handsome even in advancing age, and he looked at the world through soft, doe-brown eyes that still had a twinkle in them.  He was my husband.

In his later years, he started a business as a handyman and reveled in being able to be of help to his fellow seniors.  To be able to solve their building and lawn problems was his delight.  He wasn't above pulling weeds in a garden, if need be, or changing a light bulb for someone too old to use a ladder.  He thought nothing of climbing on a roof to do a repair, even when over 70, and had to be coaxed down for his own safety's sake!  Doing a good job, or a kindness, was by far more important to him than money.

He never made much money in his lifetime, but then he never felt the mark of a man was measured by the size of his wallet.  Yet, he would freely spend what little he had for the pleasure of others.

He hated to shop, but was delighted if someone gave him clothing - be it a gift or a castoff.  It made no difference to him - that's what he'd wear - whether it fit properly or not.  The only item of clothing he would occasionally consent to buy was one-piece coveralls.  And those he'd buy in all different bright colors.  We would often kid with him about which prison garb he was wearing this time!  He'd just laugh and put on his orange, or red, or yellow coveralls.

He never swore.  Even the simple "hell" and "damn" that come from most of us were words that did not come from his lips.  He had a great reverence for God, and was a deeply spiritual human being.  Over the course of his life he visited different churches, respected various viewpoints of belief, and eventually chose a small, close-knit church family to be his

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>