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Thursday 5 January 2012

We Must Never Take People For Granted ....

We have had storm force winds over here for the past few days and, on Monday, our new Gazebo (which we put up for our daughter's wedding last year) was blown over but, fortunately, it wasn't really damaged.



Hubby will be 68 in July and a little while ago, I was watching him out of the window, lifting the gazebo up and pulling it back into position, and it suddenly hit me - "My goodness, how on earth would I manage if anything happened to him."

I am a real romantic and, unfortunately, hubby isn't.  Not on a day to day basis anyway, although he has always come up with some lovely gifts and trips away for my special birthdays, and anniversaries and Valentine's Day are never forgotten.  But, he isn't particularly tactile, so I don't get many hugs.  Nevertheless, this man (who saw three tours of duty in Northern Ireland and also was involved in the Falklands conflict when he was a senior NCO in the Army) has always been there for me, and he has been a terrific dad to our two girls, and he loves his three grandchildren to bits.

The more observant of you might notice that I have a new quotation on the right hand side of my blog, which says "we tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

The washing machine broke down on Monday and there was hubby able to fix it.  He can install new bathrooms and kitchens, take a car engine to pieces and repair it and a million and one other things that have happened over the years.  He is a quiet man, who does things in a quiet way, and never asks for praise, so I really should recognize and appreciate what I do have.

Okay, he doesn't get excited about things (which I do - in a big way!) and he doesn't talk very much, and he has never told me that I look nice, but, still, looking out of that window this morning, I realized that if anything did happen to him and he was no longer here with us, then I would be completely and utterly bereft.






26 comments:

Eva Ason said...

Dear Diane,
I like this post, and I definitely agree that we should never take people for granted. It must have taken him a lot of strength to put that gazebo back into place [gosh] it looks quite heavy. It's still very windy over here as well, and our fence is nearly gone at one side :( Hope you will have a lovely day my friend! Hugs x

Eva

Laura said...

Aww what a lovely post. My parents divorced when I was young, so it's so nice to read a post like this. I hope the Hubby & I share the same sentiment when he is 67... So far the going has been good. Lx

Sush said...

Funny, but Saturday is my date for the last forty plus years birthday and I was just thinking along the same lines. He sounds a lot like your husband...Mr Fixit. We all depend on him for so much.
So yes we need to be reminded we aren't any of us promised tomorrow and to fill up the day we are in with love and appreciation.
Blessings and Love to you and yours~

Shelly said...

What a beautiful, beautiful post. Does your hubby read your blog? I hope he sees this one. I am so dependent on my hubs for so many things, and will be eternally grateful God put us together.

Little Ruby really does resemble her mom, from that last picture where your hubby is holding the two girls when they were little.

Thank you for bringing such loveliness to us today!

SkippyMom said...

Hmmmm. . .did an email exchange, per chance, start you thinking about this post? heehee I kid, I kid, but it does sound familiar. :D

This is such a wonderful tribute to your husband. We are very lucky, as are they :wink: to be in eachother's lives. It's a nice compliment.

He is definitely a cutie. Enjoy your day!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Many gentle hugs, my Dear...

Oh yes, we must,must,must realize and be grateful for... What we HAVE. Especially the people in our lives.

I'm so happy you posted this. Perhaps it will be just what-some-needed, to remember to notice and appreciate.

And tell those people, thank you for being here.

Even if he is not a man-of-many-words. He will still like hearing your words, I'm sure.

And now I must remember to give my always-there husband, a big hug, when he comes home from his meeting!!!

More hugs to you....

"Animal crackers, and cocoa to drink,
That is the finest of suppers, I think;
When I'm grown up and can have what I please
I think I shall always insist upon these."

~Christopher Morley

Shady Del Knight said...

I'm sure that every one of us feels the same way, Thisisme. What would we do without our life partners? Your husband is a lot like Mrs. Shady. She is not a hugger or a praise giver. She does not freely express her feelings and emotions. In those ways we are exact opposites. Although I often wish that she would change and become more demonstrative I recognize that she is only doing what's comfortable and natural for her. I'd be lost without her and I am thankful for everything she is able to give. I love all of the new pictures at the top of your page, Thisisme. My pal Alfred is the very first thing that caught my eye. I also loved the last picture in today's post showing G-T and Alison at an early age! Have a wonderful day, dear friend!

Gawgus things... said...

Awww, I'm wiping away the tears here. This is such a lovely post, I hope you show it to Dad..! How angelic do I look?! Ha, ha!

Claudia Moser said...

This really made me cry, and I do understand you so well!

rainbow said...

When Jerry and I married we had an understanding, 1. I will not go through another divorce. I have had two (their decision not mine - I do not believe in DIVORCE) and I have a gun, I'll take care of his problem. 2. I am having a 50th Anniversary, both my sisters have and I will too. He said "You realize how old I'll be when we are married 50 years?" I said "Yes, 99 and if you want a divorce or check out on me early, you will go in the freezer and go as a popsicle." My brother - in - law was with us and said "Jerry I know her she will do it too." Guess he had better stick around or it's going to get awful cold for him. HA HA HA We have made it 24 years last Sept we will be half way next year.

Love to.you and your special HUBBY. THANKS FOR SHARING him with us.

rainbow (Momma Lyn)

Glenda said...

Diane, what sweet sentiments. I think along those same lines a lot now as my hubby has reached his mid-60's. Two of my dear friends have lost their husbands recently and frankly, I don't know how they're coping. I would be lost. Prayers that you'll both be around a long time and enjoy each and every moment of it with each other.

Sunny said...

Absolutely!! You, like me, have a keeper- and it's so nice to have them by our sides!!!

That wind has been scary these past few days, hasnt it? I was in bed this morning and a gust hit the house and literally shook the bed!!! Hubby was gone to work already and i can honestly say I think I squeaked when that happened and i wished he was here to calm my fears. i do NOT like storms and wind!!! Never have- Never will.

Hang in there, hun!!!

Rebecca said...

happy birthday to hubby and it is so true we should never take the people around us for granted we never know what tomorrow holds. we should always tell people how we feel no matter what

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

I am 56 and my husband is 71. I've had more of those kind of moments in the last few years. He's always been so good at fixing and taking care of things. We've been together 30 (and they said it wouldn't last, what with that big old age difference) very happy years. What a sweet story you told, it touched me. And, he doesn't look much different from his younger picture.

Belle said...

This was so beautiful to read. I think what I value most about my husband is how I can always depend on him to be there for me and our family. He is so generous to our girls. If they ever need help, he is there. When I have been sick, he is understanding. He is like your husband in that he doesn't give hugs nor is he romantic, but he loves everyone and everyone knows it by his deeds.

Knitty said...

While mine does tell me he loves me, he isn't, as you so aptly described, overtly romantic. How much better it is, though, to have a husband who shows his love in all that he does, than to have one who is good at lip service but short on deed.

I think I'll go give mine a hug right now.

Suzanne said...

One of the truest quotes EVER! And I am glad to say, I think more on these lines in the past years, than I did before.

I love your new photo and hope your gazebo re-stabilizes. That must have been some strong wind!!!

Hugs to you and your husband! Talk to you soon.

Unknown said...

Yes this post got me to thinking about Linda. She is always thinking about someone besides herself and complicates my life trying to do for others. She has such a giving spirit that completes us. Don't want to think about life without her.

romance-of-roses said...

Diane, well I hope that day never comes as it did to me. My hubby (Mr.B) was like yours till he got his stroke at the age of 67, too young. Now he is paralyzed on his left side and in a wheel chair. Our lives were turned up side down. I have had to learn to do many things which I had never done before but life is good, our Lord is with us. Hugs...Lu

Anonymous said...

Lovely post. My hubby does a lot too and I appreciate that each and every day. We're suffering from the winds here too: lost half a fence so far! xxx

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Diane,
OH, like all the others say, this is really lovely post. I DO hope your husband have read this post as Shelly says. (haha, mine cannot read English)
Your husband seems to have the character close to my father. He used to be (reminice the time before he suffered dementia) a quiet, not expressing emotion much husband and dad, but full of love for his family with abilities of man's work like your hubby.
I could see the enormous sadness in him when mom died.
Seeing my father, I fel the scare thinking what if I lose my husband. Maybe only God knows who will send who to him.
I just don't like that he goes fishing with his motorbike, carring long fishing rod on his back and with big baggage(he goes to the place cars are not allowed to enter)...
Blessing to all your LOVELY family, xoxo Miyako*

I worry about him till he safly come back.

Desiree said...

Oh, Diane! I know just how you feel since I've been feeling the same of late. So often, I take my hubby for granted. He's always 100% reliable, dependable and capable and I, too, would be lost without him. I told him years ago that I fully intend to die first, since he's well able to take care of himself and so would be able to continue living far, far better than I would. I just hope the Angel of Death has heard of my plan :)
Your new header is delightful! And you've changed your font and done a few other tweaks. You really ought to offer lessons on how to update and glamorize blogs, since you're innately jolly good at it! Mine looks the same the day it was launched by my dear, sweet daughter. Done in a hurry, to set me up and get me started.
I do so agree with the quote you've added. I just need to remind myself to remember its wisdom.
I'm still on my break but just had to pop by to give you a 2012 hug :) xoxo

Unknown said...

I loved this post. It's so touching and a little bit sad, which makes it even more beautiful. My husband says things that hurt my feelings, challenge my beliefs and generally aggravates me on a daily basis. But he is affectionate and loves me. He loves our children. I would also be completely and utterly lost without him. I think in some ways he challenges me so that if I have to face life without him, I'll be strong and able to thrive on my own.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Jan. 7th

Lovely new blog look and header!!!

Oh yes, borrow all the Joseph Campbell quotes you like! Find them by doing a Google Search for

Joseph Campbell quotes

too. I love that man. Even though he's been gone quite a while.

"Winter came down to our home one night/
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow..."
~Bill Morgan Jr.

Chatty Crone said...

Got your button.

Hey this is a great post - that is what I am always talking about - it is seeing God and joy and happiness in what we already have! Love it.

sandie

BB said...

What a great post This. Your hubby sounds like a gem even if he isn't the outgoing affectionate type. I often said "don't know what I would do without him" and here it is 6 years already. You will get by no matter what. Just enjoy what you two have built and I'm sure he thinks you look beautiful inside his heart! BTW...what a looker in his youth. No wonder you picked him!! Hugs.