Timmy and Tina were married, second marriages for both.
Tina’s first husband was the love of her life. They met in grade school, got married at 18, and had 5 children. She was a housewife, and that is all she aspired to.
She was so glad she gave 35 years of her life entirely to her children and husband, not a nameless, faceless corporation.
Her first husband died at 55, leaving Tina widowed.
Timmy’s first wife also died at 55.
They met five years later, both at 60 years old.
Timmy met Tina at her church’s grieving widow / widower group.
After a month, Timmy asked her to coffee.
Tina told Timmy that she will never get over her first husband and that dating was out of the question.
Timmy replied: “Of course not! No man could ever mean as much and I understand that. I could never replace him as you could never replace my first wife after all we meant to each other.
But maybe we could take care of each other until we are reunited with them.”
Every week, after the meeting, Timmy would politely ask again.
After every rejection from Tina, he had a dream where a strong male voice begged: “Please take care of her for me. Don’t give up.”
It took a year, but Tina finally agreed to go on a date.
They were married six months later.
After mass each Sunday, Tina would always go for a ride by herself to have some alone time.
One Sunday, Timmy followed her.
She went to the florist first, where she bought a dozen red roses, and then to the grave of her first husband where she laid them.
She was weeping and shaking uncontrollably and wiping her nose with a Kleenex.
Timmy quietly walked up beside her, and held her hand.
She said, feeling caught in a lie or betrayal: “Timmy, I’m so sorry, I never wanted you to see this. I understand if you want to leave me.”
Timmy laughed and said: “I love you. I love that you had such a real love with that man that you can still feel it. I don’t expect to fill those shoes, ever.
I’m only here to take care of you for him until you are both reunited in heaven.
The blank spot on the right side of the headstone will eventually have your name on it and you will be buried right next to him for eternity.
There is no jealousy or competition. I can sense sometimes you want to mention him, but hold back for wanting to spare my feelings. No need to do that any longer.”
Tina said: “I love you very much Timmy. I can’t believe God blessed me with two amazing husbands in one lifetime.”
They embraced for a good long time.
Every Sunday thereafter, Timmy brought Tina to visit the love of her life with a dozen red roses and plenty of Kleenex.
Twenty years later upon her death, Timmy, as promised, laid Tina to rest next to him.
He lingered after the other grieving family members had gone.
He closed his eyes and said a final prayer for the safekeeping of his wife’s soul.
Inside his head, a strong male voice said: “Thank You. Great job. I’ll take it from here.”
He continued the Sunday grave visitation for as long as he was physically able, a dozen red roses in hand, so he could tell her how much he missed and loved her.
When Timmy died at 99, he was buried next to his first wife, the love of his life.
