I am moved by the comments some of you sent in since my post last night. And I figured out a way I could acknowledge them. Using the cut-and-paste method, I transferred them one by one to this new post. A few have had minor editing, and only the first names of the senders are given. They are in the same sequence that they came in. I thank you all very much. Phil Arnold
Kathleen: Prayers for you and Beverly. This was a wonderful tribute to your love. Hope you begin to recover your strength as it is comforting to think of you on that bedroom deck.
So, maybe you will let us know what you think of the new Elvis movie.
Scott: Hi Phil, I’m so sorry for your loss. Beverly has made Heaven a little more Heavenly.
May God bless and comfort you.
Bob: God Bless you. Your wife and family. Caregiving is never easy. Especially for loved ones. Now take care of yourself.
Margie: Your wonderful wife was very fortunate to have such a loving husband. May your many memories bring you comfort. I have been a caregiver and I know the toll it takes. Now is the time to take care of you.
Denny: Sorry for your loss. Sounds extremely overwhelming but you made it through.
God bless
Molly: God bless you and Bev. You took wonderful care of her–and she of you.
Wesley: My sincere condolences, Phil. Touching memories.
I’m really glad you’re pulling it through and feel strong enough again to post.
So post away, and we’d be all better. Cheers
Marion: God bless your beautiful wife, Beverly, i am so sorry. Time will heal, but it will never be the same.
Tracy: Happy to see You Back Phil!!! Sending You deep felt Condolences along with Prayers. Your Beautiful Wife Beverly sounded like she was a Lovely, Kind and Caring Lady. I Pray that You will continue to get better and healthier which each and every day! Sending You Many Blessings!
Your Friend in Canada. Tracy
Barbara: Phil I’m one of your followers have enjoyed the journey reading about Elvis thank you foryour time and compassion you’ve put into this .
I’m so sorry to about your beloved Bev it’s a terrible thing to lose the love of your life your best friend. I know your pain. I’ll be praying for you in the days ahead. I pray God holds you close during this difficult time !
Sincerely Barbara
Miriam: Hi Phil. I am so sorry to hear of your loss & the health problems brought on by stress. Not everyone would have “hung in there” as long as you have. It takes a very special person to devote your life to your Bev …. you sound like a very special person. Bev was very fortunate to have you in her life & I hope you thank God for being there for her. Take care of yourself.
With deepest sympathy, Miriam
Christian: Sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. as somebody that has followed your blog for years now, i am sending you love and prayers. Please take care of yourself and get well.
Mimma: I think it is by far the best post I have ever read! Yours is a refined writing, poignant but also lovable and smiling to read, smiles and tears but always a great love and deep meaning of life. We Italians are more tearful and desperate when we lose someone we love. I embrace you and I wish you to always keep your hope of paradise and the possibility that in eternal life everyone can find the people they love. I believe it.
Tisa: What a beautiful story, I admire your strength and courage also Bev’s! I too am a caregiver of my husband he is a quadriplegic with a few twists and turns. It is really tough sometimes, hard to know what to do in the next crisis( which always comes when your not looking!) but the up moments certainly are worth it! My thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate these new waters. Bless you my friend, Tisa
Sandra: Phil, My sincere condolences on the passing of your wife, Beverly. Prayers for your return to good health. Sincerely, Sandy
Ronald: God blessed you with those 50 plus years with Bev and you two had a beautiful, loving marriage.
May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Frank: My sincere condolences for your loss.
I cannot imagine a life without the love of my life, my wife Irene, and every day
– I thank God for our time together.
I realize like you, that life is not perfect, and we argue as friends do in life. So I quite understand the dumb shit comment.
But I also know that as we age, we keep losing people close to us., and it gets harder and harder to acknowledge our loss. Sometimes it gets hard to breathe – when that happens. Especially when the loss is your life partner. THAT cannot be replaced.
I can only hope at some point you will be able to take a deep breath and realize that you have something few of us ever get to experience in life – Profound love. You have great memories to look back upon, and I personally believe that you will be seeing her when it is time for you to take your final breath. I do not think Bev would like you to be sick because she is gone, and that she would want you to keep your strength and spirits up, especially in her memory.
I wrote a poem many years ago, and two lines from that poem give me consolation during times like these
“Now and then I look back upon my memories of the past…
And I realize that memories are the only things that last”
Keep your spirits up, and, hopefully, we will get to chat in the near future.