Love Always Lives!!!

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy. Author Unknown
My sister, Fran, died nine years ago unexpectedly from Toxic Shock Syndrome. She left behind a wonderful husband, Harold, and three precious, small children, Caroline, Charley and Julia. She would be so pleased with what a beautiful job Harold has done in raising them. They have each grown into incredible individuals with bright minds and caring hearts.

When we lose someone we love, our hearts suffer an indescribable pain. An unexpected death takes an enormous toll on your heart when there is no time for preparation.It is a complex journey to find hope for healing with peaceful resolution. It is a healing that is crucial for your heart, mind and soul to be able to find a place of rest. Keep in mind that our lost loved ones would want that for each of us. The bottom line of loss is that you just miss them while being simultaneously swept up with the memories of your life together and wishing it could be recaptured.
Fran, with her intelligence, kindness and great wit, was a master at nurturing her friendships. The evidence of the love that she generated was clear in the faces of the 1500 people who turned out for her funeral. She not only had beautiful porcelain skin on the outside, but a rare and precious porcelain heart, as well.

Fran also had an incredible sense of humor. She and Harold enjoyed telling the funny story behind their first date. It happened to be a blind date and they were to meet at a restaurant. He had told her to look for him in a white and green striped shirt. Fran walked in the restaurant assuming that she would be able to pick him out quickly. However, upon walking in, she noticed that all the employees had on white and green striped shirts, as well, as their work attire. Fran timidly sat for awhile, wondering whether or not they would connect at all. Harold had, however, already arrived and was observing the dilemma himself. He got up the courage and decided to take a stab at whether she was his expected date. That first date was kicked off in loads of laughter. It was the catalyst for a beautiful 10 year marriage that was woven in laughter and good times. They are memories that will nourish Harold and their children for a lifetime.

Harold and Fran considered the Righteous Brother's song, "Unchained Melody," to be their love song that captured the essence of their relationship. This past Valentine's Day, Harold went to Fran's grave to put a rose on it, as a symbol of his eternal love. He got back in the car and started it up as "Unchained Melody" began playing simultaneously. He was struck to the core by the emotional significance and the timing of that song... that day... that moment. He took it as comfort from her that gave him peace on another Valentine's Day without her that she was there with him. His youngest daughter, Julia, who was only 2 when she died, was in the car. She saw the emotion her dad was feeling and began lovingly patting him on the back which evoked even more sweet tears for Harold. Their daughter, Caroline, wrote a beautiful tribute to Fran called "LOVE ALWAYS LIVES!" It eloquently says it all about the basic underlying essence of what real love is. She knows that her sweet mom is still with us because love is eternal and never dies. Enjoy reading her lovely words on the next page:
LOVE ALWAYS LIVES

"Cherishing the memories she left me is how I talk to my Mom. The worst day of my life was August 11, 2001. This was the day Mama died. We took a simple trip to Virginia for a family reunion. She got very sick during those days. At first we thought it was just a plain old everyday virus. Eventually, she was sent to the hospital. My brother, sister and I had to leave Virginia to stay with Gran. Daddy and Nana stayed in Virginia. I, being only 7, didn't really understand what was happening. I never thought things would get so serious. Two weeks later my Dad returned home. He emerged from the car with tears glistening in his eyes. We all started crying without knowing what was wrong. He finally sat us down and told us that we had lost Mama. Not understanding, we looked at him confused. He choked while saying Mama had died last night. We looked at him horrified. We couldn't believe that the Mother we loved so much was just gone. I reached for Daddy and started crying my little heart out. Who would give me my breakfast? Who would tell me stories, as she brushed my hair? Who would sit in her seat at my dance recital? We just couldn't seem to grasp we would never see her again. When we finally did realize this, it really hit me hard. We cried on that one day more than a 7-year old has cried in their lives. Everyone we knew was devastated to hear about Mama's death. She was the last person on earth that deserved to have such a short life. Mama was the nicest, most caring person I ever knew. From making my "boo-boo's" feel better, to volunteering to plant flowers downtown, she loved helping others. She had the best laugh I'd heard. I love my Mom a whole lot'"more than a trillion universes-as I used to tell her. I miss her terribly. She gave the world everything she had to offer. In my heart, she'll always be with me -- .LOVE ALWAYS LIVES!!!"