Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Beginning

 

On the 27th of January 1970, a young newlywed young woman got on a plane, her first plane ride, and flew from Miami, FL, to Madrid, Spain, where she caught another flight to Seville, where her young husband, who was in the US Navy, was going to pick her up.

When she got to Madrid, all of the information booths were closed, she couldn’t speak Spanish, she didn’t know where she was supposed to go to catch her flight to Seville. She walked up and down the area, waiting and praying. A gentleman came up to her and asked her where she was going. She told him and he said he was going to Seville too, but would be on the next flight after hers. He asked if she had had any breakfast and she said no. He bought her a pastry and an orange juice. He showed her where she was to catch her next flight and saw that she got onto the right plane. She thanked him. He also had told her that he would be going on to Rota, which is where her husband was stationed.

Dear husband rented a car, spent the night before in Seville, and left plenty early from his hotel the next morning to pick her up. Alas, he got lost, even with directions. He drove around and could not find his way out of the city. If you have every been to Spain you will understand. Their roads the way they are set up are no way like in America. He finally asked a policeman, she thinks, and he told him where he had to go.

Meanwhile, young wife is waiting and everyone had left the airport as they were picked up by family, or whoever, and when taxi drivers would question her, she would just smile and point to her wedding rings, meaning her husband was picking her up. Eventually he did show up and they were so glad to see each other. They had made it this far. Hurray for them. They waited for the next plane to come in so that they  both could thank the gentleman. The plane came in and he was NOT there.  They left, and to this day, they think it is possible that he was a guardian angel sent to help the young wife.

This was the beginning of their life living together as husband and wife, as friends and lovers, for the rest of their life. Through thick and thin, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer until death took dear husband home to be with God 9 Dec. 2012.

They were excited to be together, starting out on this new adventure. It was like a 3 year honeymoon living in Spain, something they cherished their whole life together.

Here is a picture of them taken that first year in Seville. The picture is faded, but oh the memories this photo has brought back to the now widowed wife. She knew she wanted to write about this event, and she had this picture in mind or one like it, but had no idea where it was.

She got home from work today and started looking, after praying to God to help her find the photo, and she found it almost right away in a drawer filled with photos, most of them from after they got home and much later. So, to her this was a miracle, an answer to prayer, a love gift from God to her. She cried, she thanked God and she fell in love more than ever with her dear husband. The husband of her youth, middle and older age. The love of her life.

Losing the other half of you is rough, really rough. No words can describe it. This wife is so happy and thankful for all the years they shared together.

seville-1970

seville-1970-2

I love and miss you dear Mark. I am happy to have been your wife all those years. We had so much fun together, we laughed, played, cried, grew. You are missed terribly, but I am looking forward to being reunited with you whenever that will be. I am still trusting God to take care of me and He is in more ways than I even know.

Love ~ Your RaineyWife

26 comments:

Unknown said...

You are so blessed to have been given the love of your life.Some never find that.Do you know how lucky you are?Have faith that it WILL get better.
And there are people,some whom you've never met in person,that care about you.
Hugs.....

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

So sweet. Thank you for sharing your love story. {Hug}

Sandy said...

What sweet memories. Sounds like you met your soulmate. I did the same. Blessed beyond measure. Hope you have a nice weekend.

Nancy J said...

Lorraine, your guardian angel might well read this and know how much he helped you that very day.And ChrisC's words are so true. we, who might never meet, care so much.I am finding this right now, so very much, Accept, graciously, all help, offers, assistance, hugs,prayers, emails,letters and words,every one will help you up the ladder a rung at a time, till you reach the top again. Fond greetings, Jean.

Val said...

How beautiful! What a treat to see this picture, Lorraine! I'm so glad you found it.

xox♥,

Val

Ruth Hiebert said...

Oh what a wonderful story,with a very sad ending. No it is not the end,just a bump in the road,your story continues.Thanks for sharing this and the picture.

sharon said...

Lorraine,
I see you have a mini skirt on ! you were tre adorable!! muy bonita....Ill bet you learned a little Spanish by the time you left...

Rose ~ from Oz said...

What a wonderful, wonderful love story Lorraine. I hope there are more that you would care to share.
Hugs
Rose

Karen said...

Dear Lorraine, what a beautiful remembrance. You were such a perfect couple; I'm so glad you found the photo. I'm also sure the gentleman who helped you was an angel. You were very brave, traveling all alone in a strange land. I would have been petrified.

I love to read the story of your marriage and your life together with Mark. Bless you, my friend.

Barbara Barth said...

Lorraine - a beautiful story and photographs. I am so happy you found them. May your memories keep you warm and your friends and faith be the sunshine now. Hugs to you.

Rebecca said...

Beautiful, beautiful photos! It must feel a bit surreal to look at these photos and take yourself back to that incredible experience & those days...

Mrs. E said...

Love that photo! What a great start to your married life...Spain. Thanks for sharing with us. By the way--beautiful couple!

Becky said...

Such a beautiful story of "your Beginning". Cherished memories are so wonderful. HUGS!

Balisha said...

What a wonderful story. I'm sure it helps to share it with us...and we are thankful.
Balisha

Sallysmom said...

Lorraine, have you thought about trying to have your pictures restored? I think they will continue to comfort you for many more years.

Heather said...

Lorraine, remember the old saying, Love is a blessed thing! You have inspired me this morning to write this quick little poem for you:

The love of a soul mate is but a dream for some,
the love of a lifetime to be cherished.
Love lives longer through an open heart,
love grows stronger even when apart.
Without love our hearts would not sing!

Treat not your love with frivolity,
for love is not a frivolous thing.
Precious are love's sweet memories,
and remember love's blessed yesterdays,
For without love our hearts could not sing!


I too am so fortunate to be able to experience my forever love, and I know that one day one or the other of us may have to go on to face love alone with only the memories we have of each other, but I will treasure my memories forever, as do you! Hugs.

Unknown said...

Now you're making me cry. Beautiful story. I've been hearing from a friend once in a while who's husband has been on hospise care for the last year. She's asking me questions about living alone. I told her about how I've been reading your blog so maybe I'll be able to help her a little when the time comes. Hugs.

Sandy said...

How very precious...the photos and story. No one can take your wonderful memories.

Mama Mess said...

Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this oh so personal story! I'm so thankful for your faith dear one. It is an inspiration to me!

Antique ART Garden said...

Great story! You left out how you met? Just that you flew to Spain to be with him.What a beautiful woman and handsome man( you and mark), in your special picture. Thanks for sharing, really sweet. Love ya` Gina

Marlynne said...

Oh my the tears are flowing. Your "Blessing Journal" is beautiful and will become so very special to you as you write your about your blessings and memories

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful, touching story . . . and even in your sorror, how great to have such a wonderful love affair to be thankful for.

Hugs,

eli

Sandra said...

You made me cry with this post, so beautiful.

Big hugs and love,
Sandra

Andrea said...

This is a well-written article, fully expressing every emotion, and we can visualize and relate to every part. I am convinced that the gentleman can be a guardian angel, they are everywhere roaming with us! I didn't see any child from this story though. But do you have nearest relatives with you there physically? Congratulations Lorraine for a lovely life, not everyone had a life like yours!

Morning's Minion said...

Thank you for sharing such a personal story. I , too, believe that 'angels' often appear to us and help in a very loving and practical way. I have read that only in heaven will we know and be amazed at the many times we have been 'rescued.'

Skeeter said...

Such a sweet love story and thank you so much for sharing. It brings back many memories of when the Saint and I lived in Europe...