Many thanks for the condolences re: my wife

[Roly Nelson]

I am placing this Thank You, in the Off Topic section, since I don't want to take up too much space in the General Disscussion section. I must thank all of you, every one of the more than 140 of you, for the wonderful support and kind words you have posted since my wife's untimely death, on the 5th of May.

Thank you, Madjack, Juneaudave, satch, John T, Debi, Alan Wood, John & Mona, Kevin A, Todah, Tony, Cliff and Vanessa, Kenny ray, Mandy, Mike & Chell, Barry & Darby, Shaun, Bwhistance, Paul C. Alfred, Tim, Bob R, Steve F, Jiminsav, Marck, JPlock, Linda and Charles, Walt M, George, Sam, Dave, Harvey, Mark & Cindy, Sharon, Pete Wilson, Cathy, Doug Hodder, Bob & Judith, Hohnny, Dewi, Bob & Lynn, Aunti M, S Stewart, Jeff & Maria, Bill & Pat, Mike C, Rich, Mary K, Kirkman, Jim B, Teardrop focus, Larwyn, Dean A, Richard C, Geroge & Martha, Greg, Pam W. Red diver, Joanie, Barb, Firelion, Rigsby, Kristi, Jack, Tim & Judy, Guy and Vickie, Kim Cox, Laredo, Anthony, The Duke, Rob, Hiker Chick, Dean, Joshua & Sarah, Susann, Dan H, John & Cheryl, Dan & Julie, John (micro), Dave (griff), Bob & Cynthia, Mike & Pat, Scott & Becky, Billy L, Greg, Bryan, Karol, Joanne, Dave & Karin, Steve & Patty, Bill & Marijo, Steve (ninja), Woody, David, Cathy Jo, Tearhead, Karl, Louis L, Becca, Andrew, Gene & Betty, Tam Kurt (ind), Steve B. Swissarmygirl, Mary & Myron, Greg & Karrie, Campinwe, Hunter, Barbara, John T, Jeanette, Martha, Ed & Ruby, Gary & Lauri, Ron & Olga, Sawyer, Don Dicky, Moonage, Dana, Alda, Mark McD, Miguel, and So Penn R.R. and perhaps others.

I am truely touched in so many ways that I can't explain, from your outpouring of affection and caring, and I want you to know it has really made a difference to me, as I grieve so for my life-time partner.

If you don't mind, I would like to share a bit of our 60 years together. I do believe that tellling others of our un-dying love, will help me press on without her, even though she remains by my side in spirit.

When Ollie was a stunning 15 year old homecoming queen, we met in high school, she was a sophmore and I was a senior. After that first date, we never dated any other people. I had a job and a car, and hauled Ollie and her girlfriends to all of the sports games and dances. As soon as she graduated, we got married and a short time later, I was drafted into the Army. She followed me to Colorado, where I was stationed and she gave birth to our son. Upon my discharge, we left the mid-west and relocated to So Calif, where we were able to save up enough cash to put a down payment on a $10,000 home. Two more kids came along and she, being a stay-at-home Mom, raised them all with love and understanding.

Every summer, we took a 3 week traveling vacation to all parts of the US. We enjoyed our station wagons, truck campers, 5th wheel trailer, 2 motorhomes and in later years, our little woody teardrop trailer. She loved to travel and often wondered why more retirees didn't leave their empty nests and go full-timing like we did for over 7 years. We were a fortunate couple, since we enjoyed the same interests, (most of the time.) She sang in a professional trio, sang with her sweet adeline quartets, became a licensed pilot, drove our ski boat and the motorhome, went glider flying, rode along on my dirt bike, and was all in all, a truely wonderful, caring fun-loving individual.

She had her share of physical set backs, 2 broken arms at once, a number of surgeries and fibromyalgia. The most devistating was when she fell and broke her back 5 years ago. This made her a semi invalid and she never complained, even though she often attempted to make it out for a weekend in the teardrop. She had to have a great sense of humor in order to put up with my antics. Oh, I pulled some good ones on her, but she still loved me, dispite my stupid tricks.

Recently, what we thought was another asthma attack, turned out to be a very serious lung disease which quickly robbed her of being able to maintain a high enough oxygen level in her blood. In a matter of 8 days, she fought in vain to kick the fibrous tissue and fluid build up in her lungs. We were at her bedside when she died peacfully, and she was looking forward to seeing her friends and relatives in Heaven.

This has been much harder than I ever imagined. From high school to married life, I never have lived alone. This experience will be a first for me and I am lucky enough to have my daughter 8 doors away and my son right across the street where my grand daughters and her 3 children visit regularly. It is great to have family all around me and I can't think of what it would be like without them. I know I must keep active and I do plan to use the 1/2 Nelson Woody often. There are still places in this good ol' USA that I haven't seen. My fully stocked woodworking shop and airconditioned wood-lathe room will get a lot of attention in the future.

During our 56 years of married life, folks have often asked us what the secret to a long married life is. We both answered in the same way. Long ago, we decided to rid our lives of abrasive people, preferring to surround ourselves with happy, uplifting folks. AKA, teardroppers, etc.! Those marriage vows shouldn't be taken lightly. When the man said, to honor and care for your mate in sickness and in health, that is exactly what that "I do" is all about. I often teased her about scrubbing her all over, as she sat on her seat in the shower, telling her that she wouldn't let me do that when she was 16, but now I can do it as often as I like. That always brought a grin to her face, once again having to put up with my off-of-the-wall utterings.

Again, I must say, I am amazed at the support and caring that I have recieved from everyone. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and I hope to one day, share a campfire with as many as I can, during the 30 or 40 more years that I have left to go teardropping. Please tell those you care for that you love them and hug them often. No one knows how much longer our candle is going to burn.

With a heavy heart but a hopeful future, all my love, Roly ~~

[Miriam C.]

Roly, that you have taken the time to list everyone who posted is one of the reasons you are so special to us. Welcome back! Your story is amazing. So many forget to dedicate themselves to their marriage. You have shared something very special with us. Shared yourself and we are lucky to have you as a friend and mentor.

Be well Rolly, the newbies are needing a proper welcome.

[SmokeyBob]

Roly
Thank you for sharing.

[teardrop_focus]

Holy cow... what a wonderful relationship!

And to think, now, in even your darkest days you have family just mere steps away! I know you're thankful for them.

With a heavy heart but a hopeful future, all my love, Roly ~~

Roly, your optimism is an inspiration to me and I thank you for that.


See you soon, that is, when you're ready for new company.

[starleen2]

Thank you for sharing such a moving tribute

During our 56 years of married life, folks have often asked us what the secret to a long married life is. We both answered in the same way. Long ago, we decided to rid our lives of abrasive people, preferring to surround ourselves with happy, uplifting folks. AKA, teardroppers, etc.! Those marriage vows shouldn't be taken lightly. When the man said, to honor and care for your mate in sickness and in health, that is exactly what that "I do" is all about. I often teased her about scrubbing her all over, as she sat on her seat in the shower, telling her that she wouldn't let me do that when she was 16, but now I can do it as often as I like. That always brought a grin to her face, once again having to put up with my off-of-the-wall utterings.

And that folks is how you do it

[05liberty]

Thank you for sharing Rolly , your story is surely an insperation in these days of " easy come easy go " . We should all be so lucky to be blessed with such a relationship !

Dave

[campinwi]

Thank you for sharing such a heart warming story. Truly yours is a relationship made in heaven.

[hunter535]

Roly,
Thank you and God bless!

[satch]

Wow, I can't think of anything else.
Just remember Rolly, you're never alone.
Thank you for shareing her with us, you are a special man, and you are in my thoughts

[kirkman]

Roly, All I can say is WOW! Thank you for sharing that. You are the person we should all strive to be like! God bless you.

[packerz4]

thanks for sharing YOU Roly.

I am truly inspired by you.

Tam

[CAJUN LADY]

What an inspiring love story (I have a lump in my throat).

[FireLion]

I'm touched by the love you feel for your wife. I'm 34 1/2 years into this marriage (my 3rd, her 1st) and I can only hope that ours can be as deep and lasting as yours. I hope to meet you one day down the road. Stay strong and carry on for Ollie.

[halfdome, Danny]

Roly, Thanks for introducing me to your wife last fall, it was my pleasure. May she rest in peace. You'll find peace in your heart in remembering all those happy years together. Thanks for sharing your life with us. Life has many adventures for all of us, when it's time, go and seek your next one, what ever it may be. I wish you happiness & good health. I know it's a Woodie... but keep the shiny side up. Danny

[4123]

Roly,
You honored your wife in a very big way with those beautifully worded sentiments. You have such a wealth of feelings and memories to refer to in your life's story. Obviously, her story is just as rich, and will be remembered and cherished with all her successors. A very intuitive member of this forum told me about how there is gene memory passed down through generations. Those genes carry much more than just the physical influences. Your children and their children on down will carry the best of you both of you with them throughout the ages.
Olga