Saturday, February 14, 2015

Valentines Day will never be the same again.




My Ernie Lover, aka "Dr. Lew"    
March 13, 1926-February 7, 2015

My dear, sweet husband, who had been battling both cardiac and renal failure for 3 years,
passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015.
After being hospitalized in October of 2014 for congestive heart failure,
he slowly declined, losing both his appetite, balance & strength.
His cardiologist recommended that Summa Hospice of Ohio be called in.
They were HORRIBLE… (Someday I will write a post about everything they DIDN’T do!)
I was thankful that I was able to take care of him, all by myself,
(with no help from them)
the last few months of his life, never leaving him alone.
  On the last day, when he took his last breath at 1:25 am and passed away, I was lying beside him, holding his hand.

Ernie and I had been together since we met on a blind date on September 19, 1986
 and had he lived one more week,
we would have celebrated 28 years of marriage, today, Feb. 14th,  Valentine’s Day, 2015.
   He was always my protector, my rock, my strength.
I felt truly loved by him and I will cherish every special, precious memory.

  On one of the last days of his life, I went in to see if he was awake from his nap and
found him sitting up in bed, with tears running down his face.
  I asked him if he was in pain & why was he crying? 
He replied “They are tears of joy because I have you in my life to take care of me”.
He needed a lot of help the last year of his life and
I was grateful to be physically able and skilled enough to care for him.

Through his example, as a husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend,
I learned lessons in true love, loyalty and kindness along with humility.
  He had a wonderful sense of humor and made me laugh right up to his last day on the face of this earth.
Laughter truly was his best medicine and he prescribed it
to everyone one he ever met.
 
I was honored and blessed to be his wife…
he was the light of my life and the center of my universe.
I will miss him every single day for the rest of my life,
and I know his memory will live on in all the hearts of the people,
who knew and loved him and whose lives he touched.

Rest in peace, Sweetheart 



” Well done, Good and Faithful Servant of the Lord.”
Mathew:  25: 21 
We all loved you so much!
Rett and Family
Thank you to all of my friends, for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers, during this difficult time.
Please continue to pray for our family.

34 comments:

  1. I am so sorry. Please know that you have my prayers.

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  2. Rett, I am so sorry for your loss of your wonderful hubby and best friend, your dear Ernie. I, unfortunately, truly understand your emptiness and sadness. I loved reading about your special love and how he made you laugh until the end. I know you will always treasure your sweet memories of him and the love you shared. Bless you on your anniversary today and every day from now until you will be reunited with your sweetheart. I am there for you as a friend, if you ever need me. I hope you feel all the warmth of God's love and the love from all your friends as they comfort you. Loving hugs are sent to you across the miles.

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  3. Dear Rett
    I am so sorry to hear this news and so very sorry for your loss. Your dear Ernie was such a brave man - from what I know of his last years - and such a handsome man, and your tribute to him tells of a good man, a loving husband, father and grandfather and the best of companions. I cannot imagine this loss. I am certain that he continues to look out for you and care for you but you must miss him so much. I know your faith will carry you - but please be assured of my prayers for you.
    May Eternal Light shine upon him and may your dear husband rest in peace.
    Love, Honora

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  4. Oh Rhett, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a wonderful man he was and how blessed you both are to have shared so much. Many prayers, hugs and thoughts for you and your family in the days ahead:-)

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  5. Rett, so many prayers for you. What a beautiful tribute to your love.

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  6. Rett, I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like such a wonderful husband. God Bless you for all you've done for him. You are in my prayers.

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  7. Oh Rett, I am SO soory for the loss of your dear husband. There are no words, I know but you are in my thoughts and prayers. Be comforted in that YOU took good care of him, he knew that and was so garteful for you. XO, Pinky

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  8. Thnking of you, Rett. May you be comforted by the memories of the wonderful life you had. He is at peace, and I pray for that for you.

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  9. I'm so sorry to hear Rett, my thoughts are with you, please take care.

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  10. Dear Rett, I am so sorry for your loss. From what you have written, I know he was a kind and wonderful man and you had an amazing love and enjoyed life together. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  11. Rett, I wish I could put my arms around you. You are in my prayers.xxoo

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  12. My heart is breaking for your loss. You will continue to be in my prayers. Love and hugs from my heart to yours. Email me anytime to talk. I know from our many conversations how deep your love was for each other and how blessed he was to have your care and to light up your life. Take care dear friend. I am here for you.

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  13. Dear Rett, I am so sorry to read the news of this huge loss in your life. Ernie sounds like a darling husband (in addition to being very handsome). How telling that he was thinking of you and of how grateful he was for your care towards the end of his life. I will hold you in my heart and pray for you - may you find comfort and peace in God's presence and love.

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  14. Oh, dear Rett! I'm so sorry to read your post and learn of your dear husband. He sounds like a wonderful man and I know he was blessed to have you in his life. My heart goes out to you and you will be in my prayers.
    Blessings,
    Shelia ;)

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  15. Rett, you have been close in my thoughts all day. This is an incredibly beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your Ernie. He was indeed a lucky soul to have you in his life. I recently read "when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." I know your treasure chest is full!
    I wish I could be there to give you comforting hugs, my friend. Keeping you close in my heart.

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  16. Oh Rett, I am so very sorry for your loss. I didn't know that he was sick. He sounds like a wonderful, caring man and you were so lucky to have him in your life. You are in my prayers and I hope that you find comfort and peace in God's presence.
    God bless you and yours,
    Mary

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  17. So sorry for your loss. Keep the wonderful memories of your love for each other..

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  18. So sorry for your loss. Keep the wonderful memories of your love for each other..

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  19. No Rett, Valentine's Day will never be the same for you, but what glorious memories you will have to look back on every year on this date. You and Ernie found the love of your lives and how many people can say that? Very few, I think. All my love to you, my friend. I am so sad for you!

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  20. Bless you, Rett. I know how hard it is to see someone you love get so sick. I went through it last year with a very dear friend. It sounds like you had a wonderful marriage.

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  21. Rett, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved husband. How fortunate that you were able to care for him. Thinking of you and sending prayers your way on your anniversary. ♥

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  22. How very blessed you are to have had such a husband. Such a loving tribute and beautifully said. I am so very sorry for your loss.

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  23. I will pray for peace and strength for you - especially in the middle of the dark, often lonely, nights. It is so difficult when such a wonderful gift from God is taken away. Please take care of yourself.

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  24. I am so sorry to read of your husbands passing. One word you used to describe your husband, "my rock", is one I always use as well. I can only imagine how hard this must be. I hope you can continue to find comfort in the care you were able to give when he needed you. My heart aches for your loss and my prayers go out to you during these very difficult times. May God continue to give you strength!

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  25. Words are beyond me. I pray that you can find the strength and comfort to go on without him, knowing that you were with him and caring for him right up to the last minute of his life.
    Lillian

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  26. Rhett, I wanted you to know that you are in my heart and prayers today. I am happy for you that you were able to take care of him up till the end. Memories are precious for all of us when we lose a love one. Many hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley.

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  27. I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and the family.

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  28. Rett, there aren't words to ease your pain at the loss of your wonderful husband. I am happy that you were able to spend the last months of his life caring for him. Those are memories you are sure to cherish along with the many years before. Few people have the kind of deep love that you two obviously had. What a blessing for you both. I pray you find comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain and that you will someday see him again and have him for eternity. My love and prayers are with you and your family. Hugs!

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  29. Prayers for your family, Rett. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  30. My heart goes out to you, Rett. I am so very sorry for your loss. Take care, dear Rett, and know that you are being lifted up in prayer by so many.

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  31. Hi, Rett. I've just seen your tribute to your beloved husband on his passing. He is now at peace, and I pray for the same for you--the peace and comfort that can only come from above. Please know of my prayers for you and your family. I am so sorry. With my best regards for you, Rett. ~Zuni

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  32. My deepest condolences, Rett. He was indeed so lucky to have you to take care of him and what a peaceful way to go with you by his side comforting him. May you be surrounded by the love of family and friends and also know that the blogging community is hugging you as well.

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  33. Prayers are being said for you and your loved ones. I am so sorry for your loss of your husband.
    May the Lord bless you and protect you,
    May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you
    May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.

    Blessings My Friend,

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  34. Rett, I am so sorry for your loss. Ern was truly your Prince Charming and had such a beautiful love. I'm thankful that he had you in his life and that you were able to be such a wonderful and loving caregiver as his health failed. You will continue to be in my prayers in the days ahead.

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~