Love Reunited: A Valentine's Day Post

Happy Valentines Day!!

I realize that it has been a while since I posted anything to my blog. I celebrated some wonderful birthday surprises, but also mourned to loss of my dear sweet Grandmother who passed away unexpectedly in January. I feel so blessed to have been able to spend so much of my life with my grandparents. I will always remember my sweet Grandma Glad's big smile and soft hands clasped in mine. 

I will certainly miss her, but I know she is reunited with her husband and that is worth celebrating! 

So....my Valentine's day post is for the joy of love reunited and a special focus on my sweet Grandma and Grandpa Wise. 

When a love goes away (whether for a mission, just a break in the relationship, school, a job, war, or death) it feels as if a part of our own heart is missing. The poet John Donne wrote of the parting of love:

" But we by a love so much refined, that ourselves know not what it is, Inter-assured of the mind,

Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss.

Our two souls therefore, which are one,

though i must go, endure not yet a breach,

but an expansion,

Like gold to aery thinness beat."

Love is the most powerful magic in the world. It makes us happy, dizzy, warm, secure, giddy, hopeful, and sparkling! 

On the back of this photograph, my Grandma wrote "Rolly, the Love of my life" and dated it years before they ever got married. I love his joyful laughter and her teasing wind up to lovingly tap him on the shoulder undoubtedly for some teasing. 

Right after my grandparents were married, my grandpa was called off to war. World War II took many young men away from their sweet loves. 

My grandparents exchanged hundreds of letters. I remember once talking with my grandma about this special time. I was writing a missionary at the time and I loved hearing her stories of letters and love and the fear that her one and only may never return. I can only imagine the joy they both felt when they were reunited again. I imagine a long lingering hug. On leave, my grandpa came home to meet his new daughter.

After my Grandpa died, my Grandma missed him very much. She didn't know how to go on after loving someone so deeply for so long. I know that was difficult for her even though she was always surrounded by loving children and grandchildren. I know they are reunited now and happy to know they will never have to part again. What a thought! Here's to love that never ends and never dies. If it is parted, it is only for a brief moment. 

No matter how far apart we may temporarily be, 

"I carry your heart with me ( i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)"

Till we are reunited Grandma and Grandpa, Happy Valentines!!!