I've mentioned a few times how I've decided to let love dictate my life's decisions a few times here, so I want to tell a story that'll elaborate one of the reasons I made that choice. This experience was pivotal in the development of my character and personality.
I work in the automotive service industry. I've been fixing cars for 15 years at this point, and it's a career that's had its ups and downs. One of the high points, I'll never forget....
I was working as a technician at a shop that serviced a retirement community, and I had plenty of acquaintances I had made of couples that I watched a spouse pass away, and the surviving widow almost seemed indifferent to the passing of their loved one.
This struck me as odd, and I suppose from my point of view, it was. But.....
I had a gentlemen that came in for tires and an oil change, and his wife had passed about 6 weeks earlier. He was a small statured man, well groomed, and nicely dressed. My manager came over when he handed me the repair order, and informed of the full situation. All this fellow knew how to do, was fly planes. He made the money and his wife handled EVERYTHING else. From bills to clothes, everything. She had picked out the clothes he was wearing, along with 2 months of outfits before she passed.
It turned out she had even purchased a tire warranty from a franchise tire shop in case this situation ever arose. So, I drove him over to the tire shop and we had his tires taken care of after I finished his oil change. All in all I ended up spending the whole day with him. He was still broken over her. He would tell me a story of their adventures, then break down into tears. He spoke of her in such high regard, and I couldn't help but think that I would love for someone to think of me this way.
It was heartbreaking and beautiful. This man, who saw himself as blessed by his lover after 50+ years of marriage. It was the exception, and I was fortunate enough to spend a day with him and hear him talk about what love did for his life. I still get goosebumps 13 years later when I think about it.
My manager knew the man from his church, and informed me about 2 months later that he had passed away. The doctors said it was "natural causes," and I suppose it kind of was. But, if you look further you find the absolute truth. He died of a broken heart. He loved her so much, that when she passed it was like his very soul no longer desired this world. It wanted to be with her.
Love changes people. We've all had that friend that fell in love, or had a child, or found something to love and the outcome is often the same. They change. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse, but the change happens inevitably. If I fall in love again, I hope it's like him, and I hope the woman I fall in love with feels the same.
I work in the automotive service industry. I've been fixing cars for 15 years at this point, and it's a career that's had its ups and downs. One of the high points, I'll never forget....
I was working as a technician at a shop that serviced a retirement community, and I had plenty of acquaintances I had made of couples that I watched a spouse pass away, and the surviving widow almost seemed indifferent to the passing of their loved one.
This struck me as odd, and I suppose from my point of view, it was. But.....
I had a gentlemen that came in for tires and an oil change, and his wife had passed about 6 weeks earlier. He was a small statured man, well groomed, and nicely dressed. My manager came over when he handed me the repair order, and informed of the full situation. All this fellow knew how to do, was fly planes. He made the money and his wife handled EVERYTHING else. From bills to clothes, everything. She had picked out the clothes he was wearing, along with 2 months of outfits before she passed.
It turned out she had even purchased a tire warranty from a franchise tire shop in case this situation ever arose. So, I drove him over to the tire shop and we had his tires taken care of after I finished his oil change. All in all I ended up spending the whole day with him. He was still broken over her. He would tell me a story of their adventures, then break down into tears. He spoke of her in such high regard, and I couldn't help but think that I would love for someone to think of me this way.
It was heartbreaking and beautiful. This man, who saw himself as blessed by his lover after 50+ years of marriage. It was the exception, and I was fortunate enough to spend a day with him and hear him talk about what love did for his life. I still get goosebumps 13 years later when I think about it.
My manager knew the man from his church, and informed me about 2 months later that he had passed away. The doctors said it was "natural causes," and I suppose it kind of was. But, if you look further you find the absolute truth. He died of a broken heart. He loved her so much, that when she passed it was like his very soul no longer desired this world. It wanted to be with her.
Love changes people. We've all had that friend that fell in love, or had a child, or found something to love and the outcome is often the same. They change. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse, but the change happens inevitably. If I fall in love again, I hope it's like him, and I hope the woman I fall in love with feels the same.
